The U.S. Marine Corps will be adopting a new rifle to replace the M4 select-fire carbine. Designated the M27 IAR (Infantry Automatic Rifle), the new rifle is based on Heckler & Koch’s HK416, which looks like an AR, but runs with an internal gas piston system. The HK416 has been used by the German Army and some USA Special Operations units. This change-over has been in the works for some time, but the “protest period” has concluded, so now it is official.
The adoption of the M27 was announced at SHOT Show 2018. GunsAmerica reports: “H&K has officially received the contract for the USMC to replace the M4 carbines. The H&K model selected is the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle, a derivative of the famous H&K 416″. The U.S. Marine Corps initially planned to purchase 6,500 M27s to replace a portion of the M249 light machine guns employed by automatic riflemen within Infantry and Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalions. In December 2017, the Marine Corps revealed a decision to equip every Marine in an infantry squad with the M27, so this is a major change. (Source: Wikipedia.com.)
According to Wikipedia: “The M27 is a lightweight, magazine-fed 5.56mm, select-fire weapon based on the Heckler & Koch HK416. It features a gas-operated, short-stroke piston action with a rotating bolt and a free-floating barrel. The handguard has four MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rails for use with accessories and optics. The simpler gas-piston rifle system reduces the amount of time it takes to resolve malfunctions on the IAR compared with the M249 light machine gun.”
CLICK HEREfor full-screen M27 Photo by Heckler & Koch.
As deployed, early versions of the IAR have done well in combat: “The IAR was initially fielded in December 2010. 1st Battalion 3rd Marines were deployed to Afghanistan in April 2011 with 84 IARs. Former SAW gunners initially did not like the M27, but appreciated it as time went on. It weighed 9 lb. loaded, compared to 22 lb. for an M249 — a significant difference when on 5-hour long missions. It also blended in with standard M16-style service rifles, making it difficult for enemy forces to identify the machine gunner. Marines issued with the M27 [report] it is friendlier to troops [than the M249] due to its cleaner, lightweight system having fewer moving parts and jams. IAR gunners consider the rifle-grade accuracy to be a huge improvement over the SAW, despite the loss of sustained firing.” (Source: Wikipedia.com.)
Heckler & Koch Expands American Production Center in Georgia
Heckler & Koch operates a production center in the state of Georgia, not far from Fort Benning. A $28.5 million expansion, started in 2017, is adding a new 50,000-square-foot factory in the Corporate Ridge Business Park. “HK’s new U.S. factory will make use of advanced manufacturing technologies and will be staffed by German and American engineers and technicians,” said Francisco Hidalgo, CEO of HK USA. GunsAmerica notes: “H&K USA will be designing and building guns directly for the U.S. market in the USA now. Now, we can look forward to weapons built specific to the U.S. market. [We] can’t wait to see the first one stamped ‘Made in Georgia’.” It is unknown when H&K will start delivering American-made M27s to the USMC.
Tactical competitor Zak Smith stores his elevation and wind drift data on a handy laminated data card. To make one, first generate a come-up table, using one of the free online ballistics programs such as JBM Ballistics. You can also put the info in an Excel spreadsheet or MS Word table and print it out.
Above is a sample of a data card. For each distance, the card includes drop in inches, drop in MOA, drop in Mils. It also shows drift for a 10-mph cross wind, expressed in inches, MOA, and mils. Zak explained that “to save space… I printed data every 50 yards. For an actual data-card, I recommend printing data every 20 or 25 yards.” But Zak also advised that you’ll want to customize the card format to keep things simple: “The sample card has multiple sets of data to be more universal. But if you make your own data card, you can reduce the chance of a mistake by keeping it simple.”
Once you have the card you can fold it in half and then have it laminated at a local office store or Kinko’s. Keep this in your pocket, tape it to your stock, or tie the laminated card to your rifle. If you regularly shoot at both low and high elevations, you may want to create multiple cards (since your ballistics change with altitude). To learn more about ballistic tables and data cards, check out the excellent “Practical Long-Range Rifle Shooting–Part 1″ article on Zak’s website.
Scope-Cover Mounted Ballistics Table
Another option is to place your ballistics card on the back of the front flip-up scope cover. This set-up is used by Forum member Greg C. (aka “Rem40X”). With your ‘come-up’ table on the flip-up cover you can check your windage and elevation drops easily without having to move out of shooting position.
Greg tells us: “Placing my trajectory table on the front scope cover has worked well for me for a couple of years and thought I’d share. It’s in plain view and not under my armpit. And the table is far enough away that my aging eyes can read it easily. To apply, just use clear tape on the front objective cover.”
Didn’t get enough gun stuff in Sin City during SHOT Show? Then head back to Las Vegas, Nevada for the biggest hunting/safari show of the year. The 46th Annual Safari Club International (SCI) Hunters’ Convention kicks off today, Wednesday, January 31, 2018, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The big event runs through Saturday, February 3, 2018. Over 20,000 hunters and sportsmen are expected to attend this year. Ask any member who has attended the SCI Convention, and you will likely hear, “You have to go! It is the ultimate hunters’ market/showcase.”
Millions in Auction Items This Year
The SCI show is famed for its fund-raising auctions. At this year’s Convention, exotic firearms (valued up to $150,000), once-in-a-lifetime hunts, and fine collectibles will be auctioned. Net proceeds from the auctions are used by SCI to promote conservation and game management efforts worldwide. Here’s a past auction item, a Krieghoff Double Rifle valued at $84,000. This ‘Legends of the Hunt’ double rifle, chambered in .470 Nitro Express, was custom engraved by master engravers Michael Oke and Andreas Scholz. The stock is exhibition-grade Turkish walnut with ebony pistol grip and fore-end tip. There are gold barrel bands and gold accents on the express sight blades and double triggers.
Over 1000 Exhibitors from 33 Countries
This is a huge event, with over 1000 exhibitors from 33 countries and six continents. Notably, hundreds of top guides and outfitter services are showcased in the Outfitters Hall. The SCI convention also features many firearms manufacturers and custom gun builders. In the Gun Maker’s village prestigious European gun makers and engravers display their work.
World Heritage Series Rifle #4 – Oceania
Donated By: Ryan Breeding Rifle-Maker
Valued at: $150,000.00 This unique, one-of-a-kind custom Magnum Mauser in .375 H & H — was created as the fourth rifle in the World Heritage Series. It is item SN009 in the Saturday Night auction.
The SCI convention boasts “the largest display of wildlife art at one venue anywhere in the world” according to Ammoland.com. This year the work of 50+ artists and 100+ taxidermists will be on display.
Miles of Aisles and thousands of new products. SHOT Show, held each January in Las Vegas, is a near-overwhelming circus. There is so much to see, with new products from countless manufacturers, large and small. Here is the last official Highlights video from SHOT Show 2018. This 19-minute video provides a comprehensive summary of all there was to see and do at SHOT Show.
Weatherby Moves to Wyoming — Interview with Adam Weatherby
One of the biggest industry new items was Weatherby’s exodus from California. We reported this move in detail, explaining the TOP FIVE REASONS gun companies leave California. In this video, Weatherby President Adam Weatherby explains his company’s goals in relocating to Sheridan, Wyoming. Unlike California, Wyoming is a Second Amendment-friendly state. Plus Wyoming also has no state tax on corporate earnings (California is 8.84%):
Featured New Products — Video Previews
The Firearm Blog (TFB) had a large presence at SHOT Show, with multiple video teams covering Range Day and then the main event at the Sands Expo Center. Here are some TFB product highlight videos, showcasing interesting new products released at SHOT Show 2018 and/or Industry Day at the Range:
Lithgow LA105 Tactical Rifle from Australia
Australia’s Lithgow Arms has a new rifle for the PRS game. Called the LA-105 Woomera (named for an Aboriginal spear-throwing device), this is basically a Lithgow Arms LA102 barreled action in a Kinetic Research Group (KRG) chassis similar to the Whiskey-3 and X-Ray chassis systems. Initially, the LA105 Woomera will be released in two calibers, 6.5mm Creedmoor (1:8″ twist) and .308 Win (1:10″ twist). The barrel twist rates should stabilize High-BC match bullets. Thanks to the KRG chassis, the LA105 Woomera takes the popular AICS magazines, rather than the Tikka T3 magazines of its predecessor.
Click to View Full-Page Specifications (easier to read):
Sako Carbon Fiber Stocks and New TRG 42 and 22
Sako has new, ultra-light carbon fiber stocks for the Sako 85 hunting rifle series. There are two carbon offerings, the CarbonLight and Carbon Wolf. The latter has cool push-button adjustments for comb height and length of pull. The Sako 85 Carbon Wolf features a nice ergonomic grip that’s very comfortable in the hand. We thought this was one of the nicest new stocks at the Show. At Industry Day at the Range, Sako also showcased new “AI” versions of the TRG 42 and 22 models. Both versions feature improved folding buttstocks, with adjustable cheekpiece and LOP. TRG tested the .338 Lapua TRG 42 on Industry Day at the Range.
Brownells Retro AR15 and AR10 Rifles
After testing Brownells’ Retro AR-15s at Industry Day at the Range, TFB’s Corey Wardrop checks out the new AR-10A and AR-10B at Brownell’s SHOT Show booth. Brownell’s 7.62x51mm AR10 is faithful to the original, with important upgrades. The BRN10B (“late style”) is also shown. For the keen-eyed, Gene Stoner makes an appearance in the background. CLICK HERE to view Brownell’s entire Retro AR line-up, both AR15 and AR10.
Ever since Congress passed the 2018 Defense Authorization Act authorizing the U.S. Army to transfer surplus 1911 pistols to the Civilian Marksmanship program, folks have wondered “When are we going to be able to buy these 1911s?” Well that day is growing closer. The CMP HAS received 8,000 pistols and is doing an inventory this week. But before the CMP can start selling the 1911s, it must first inspect/grade/repair and then test-fire the handguns. We’re figuring that sales are now still 4-6 months away. For more updates, visit the CMP 1911 Sale INFO page.
The CMP declared this week: “The CMP has been authorized to receive 8,000 1911 type pistols from the United States Army. The 1911s have been received by the CMP. A complete inventory will be conducted over the course of this week. The pistols will then be securely stored until the Army-approved 1911 building and armory infrastructure is completed. That completion is anticipated to be approximately 60 days from now. Once the 1911 armory is completed, inspection, grading, repair, and ultimately test firing of the pistols will begin.”
Sales Process Explained
The CMP explained: “The CMP 1911 order packet will be posted 90 days prior to the order acceptance date and opening sales date. No orders will be accepted prior to that date. CMP customer service has been inundated with calls and emails concerning the 1911s and no further information is available at this time. The CMP will keep everyone posted as we move through this process.”
About The Civilian Marksmanship Program: The Civilian Marksmanship Program is a federally chartered 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation. It is dedicated to firearm safety and marksmanship training and to the promotion of marksmanship competition for citizens of the United States.
Weatherby Inc., a major name in the rifle business, is abandoning California, leaving the Golden State for friendlier climes in Wyoming. Based in Paso Robles, CA for many decades, Weatherby announced last week that it will relocate its production facilities and headquarters to Sheridan, Wyoming. The respected rifle manufacturer, founded in 1945, was welcomed by Wyoming state officials. In fact Wyoming Governor Matt Mead was present for Weatherby’s announcement, made at Shot Show 2018. By contrast, California’s state leaders, given their anti-gun bias, are no doubt happy to see Weatherby leave. The Democratic Party now controls both houses of California’s State Legislature, as well as the Governor’s office. Weatherby’s departure is just the latest exodus of a major firearms industry company from California. In the past year, Berger Bullets, now part of Capstone Precision Group, relocated from Southern California to Arizona.
“We wanted a place where we could retain a great workforce, and where our employees could live an outdoor lifestyle”, said Adam Weatherby, Chief Executive Officer. “We wanted to move to a state where we can grow into our brand. Wyoming means new opportunities. We are not interested in [just] maintaining — we are growing.”
Weatherby Leaves Hostile Political Environment
Is Weatherby’s Wyoming move all about dollars and cents? Not entirely. California has become increasingly hostile to firearms manufacturers. TheFireamRack.com’s Dan Zimmerman observes: “[Weatherby] wanted to do business in a state that isn’t at war with the very products they make. A state that respects the Second Amendment and won’t try to claw back every single cent it can wring out of businesses located there. So Weatherby made the entirely rational choice to take their company to a place that values what they do.”
The Wyoming Business Council heralded Weatherby’s relocation: “The move is expected to create 70 to 90 jobs and more than $5 million annually in payroll in the next five years.” Recognizing the benefits to Wyoming, Governor Matt Mead and the Business Council began recruiting Weatherby a year ago. Governor Mead declared: “Wyoming is a great place to do business and is excited to welcome Weatherby to Sheridan. For over 70 years, Weatherby has been an innovator in firearms design and manufacturing. The company will add to our manufacturing base and fit well with our diversification objectives.”
Weatherby will locate its new production facility in Sheridan, Wyoming. Sheridan is a beautiful location in Northern Wyoming, a verdant plain with mountains to the West. Sheridan has just under 18,000 residents. But there will be another 100 or so soon. Local County10 News reports: “Sources shared with County 10 that Weatherby, located in California since the mid 1940s, has been considering locating in a state with a more favorable pro-firearms industry culture and citing a frustration with California’s tax structure.”
Top Five Reasons Firearms Businesses Leave California
1. High California Taxes. California’s Corporate Tax Rate is 8.84% — among the highest in the nation. Wyoming, by contrast, has ZERO state corporate taxes. California Sales Tax starts at 8% while Wyoming Sales Tax ranges from 4-6%. California was ranked 48th overall (third worst) in Tax Climate by the Tax Foundation. Wyoming was rated Number One Overall (best). This ranking considers corporate tax, personal income tax, sales tax, and property tax.
2. High Cost of Living in California (all factors). It is expensive to live in California. One Cost-of-Living index rated Paso Robles, CA 144.5 compared to 101.8 for Sheridan, Wyoming (higher is worse). Another Cost of Living Calculator states that, including housing, Paso Robles, CA is 41.9% more expensive than Sheridan, WY. Ironically, howevever, median income in the two cities is not that different: $28,358.00 for Paso Robles (CA) vs. $26,491.00 for Sheridan (WY). Money definitely goes farther in Wyoming. In terms of buying power, one study suggests a $35,535/year salary in Sheridan, WY equates to a $50,000/year salary in Paso Robles, CA.
3. Bad Roads and Infrastructure in California. Among all states, California has the fourth worst roads in the country with 50% of roads in “poor condition”. In fact, the Los Angeles Regional area road system has been deemed the worst in the nation according to a Federal Highway Administration Report. By contrast, Wyoming’s highway system was ranked number one, best in the USA, in the 21st Annual Reason.org Highway Report. And this was despite the fact that state gas taxes per gallon are much less in Wyoming than in California*. California’s roads and infrastructure are only going to get worse as the population grows.
4. Anti-Business California State Government. California is now a one-party state, with the Democratic Party controlling the State Senate, State Assembly, AND the Governor’s office. This has created an anti-business governmental culture, with a left-leaning bias. California also has many more business regulations, and more restrictive gun and ammo laws. The situation is unlikely to change because there is undeniable evidence of massive voter fraud in California which favors Democratic candidates. For example, in Los Angeles County “the total number of registered voters now stands at a number that is a whopping 144% of the total number of resident citizens of voting age”, according to Judicial Watch. 10 other California counties have significantly more registered voters than voting-age citizens. (SOURCE: Judicial Watch Report.)
5. Out-of-Control California Housing Costs. Coastal counties in California have some of the highest average home prices in the country. The median home price in Paso Robles, CA is $486,100. By contrast, the median home price in Sheridan, WY is $217,100 — well under HALF the California price! And rental housing is cheaper in Wyoming too. Median Rent in Paso Robles, CA is $2150.00 per month, while Median Rent in Sheridan, WY is $1250.00 per month.
* All five of the top-ranked states for highway system performance (Wyoming, Nebraska, South Dakota, South Carolina and Kansas) have state gasoline taxes at or below the national average. Source: Los Angeles Times.
Digital editions of SHOT Daily, the magazine distributed each day of SHOT Show, are available free in Web eZine formats. Two digital editions are available right now, and others should be released soon. You’ll find many product features plus articles that can benefit shooting club directors and range managers. Definitely check out the Day One issue’s extensive coverage of new-for-2018 firearms. SHOT Daily is produced for NSSF by Bonnier Corp., publishers of Outdoor Life, Field & Stream, and many other magazines.
Highlights Day 2: New Optics, New Ammunition, Starline Brass, Outerwear, Cerakote Mossbergs.
SHOT SHOW TV Day 2 Headlines
SHOT Show Product Spotlights
SafeShoot — Downrange Risk Detection Technology
The SafeShoot system is advanced technology that can detect the presence of humans downrange, even in darkness. A sensor attached to a rifle, shotgun, or spotting scope “scans” downrange looking for human profiles. If it “sees” a human in the direction the firearm/spotting scope is pointed, a light in the front sensor unit flashes red. We checked out the system, and the technology really works. This could be very beneficial for anyone shooting on undeveloped land or unsupervised ranges, particularly during hunting season. This SafeShoot technology was developed by experts who have worked with the Israeli military. We think this technology holds much promise.
.224 Valkyrie from Barrett Firearms
The SHOT Show TV crew visits Barrett to check out the Barrett Fieldcraft and REC7 rifles chambered in .224 Valkyrie. This video also previews Barrett’s law enforcement and military products. The .224 Valkyrie is a new cartridge from Federal based on a 6.8 SPC necked down to .224 caliber. It offers excellent long-range performance with the new high-BC .22-caliber bullets (such as Sierra 90gr and 95gr SMK), while still fitting and functioning in a standard AR-15 magazine. We’ve shot the .224 Valkyrie and like it. The round looks like a scaled down 6.5 Creedmoor.
CLICK HERE for more 2018 SHOT Show Product Videos.
The most eye-catching display at SHOT Show 2018 was a 3D Hologram animation of the new SAR 9 pistol. Showing the pistol assembling itself in mid-air, the hologram was mesmerizing.
So many products — so little time. We saw some very interesting new products including new Berger Ammunition on our second day at SHOT Show. There were many interesting tools on displays as well as cool new rifles for hunters, varminters, long-range shooters, and tactical marksmen. We also met some old friends on Day Two, including the legend himself — Jerry Miculek.
To give you a feel for SHOT Show, here’s a nice teaser video filmed last year. This shows both Media Day and the events inside the Sands Convention Center. Though this is a year old, we definitely recommend it. Plus is has a LOT of pretty ladies. You won’t be disappointed — honest.
This Video is from 2017, But You Should Definitely Watch It — Lots of Pretty Ladies!
NEW — Berger Branded Ammunition in Lapua Brass
Berger Bullets + Lapua Brass in factory-loaded ammo. You asked for it. Now it’s here. The new line of Berger Ammunition was unveiled at SHOT Show this week at the Capstone Precision Group booth. Berger, Lapua, Vihtavuori, and SK Ammo are now all owned by Nammo Lapua, so we can have these great American-made bullets packaged with superior, European-made Lapua brass*. This is an exciting development. There will be three (3) lines of Berger Ammunition: Match Grade Target, Match Grade Hunting, and Match Grade Tactical. We’ll have a full report with field tests this spring.
NEW and IMPROVED — Lyman Higher Rez Borecam
Better. Sharper. Higher Resolution. The new, upgraded Lyman Borecam® Digital Borescope is a serious candidate for best gunroom tool of the year. We really liked the original Borecam and recommended it highly. But now the new version is a LOT better. Now offering 300k resolution, you can really see finer details inside your bore. Trust us — the difference is VERY Noticeable. We could see very fine detail as never before. We like the fact that the lens wand is marked like a ruler so you can see your insertion depth and the handle has an indexing mark so you can keep track of your rotation. Great product. NOTE: The 300K means the camera delivers 300,000 pixels, i.e. 0.3 megapixel. For a square this is about 550×550. For a standard aspect ratio, this is similar to 640×480 resolution.
NEW — Walther KK500 .22 LR 3P Competition Rifle
Walther unveiled a handsome new smallbore (.22 LR) competition rifle, the KK500. This is more compact, with a shorter length of pull, so it’s a great choice for smaller-framed competitors — women and junior. The new Walther KK500 position rifle features bold red/gray laminated grip and fore-end block, plus an eye-catching red bolt handle. Very nice rimfire rifle for serious 3P smallbore shooters.
NEW — RCBS 6-Station Brass Boss
We tried out the new Brass Boss from RCBS. This new machine features SIX (6) powered tool heads, plus brushes. Four of the tool heads run at variable speeds up to 350 rpm. Two other high-speed tool heads run up to 550 RPM. There is a convenient speed control knob on the side of the unit. This is a great feature — you can run at high RPM for hard jobs like removing military primer crimps, and then slow way down to do more precise tasks such as inside chamfering. We like the Brass Boss. It is a definite upgrade over the previous RCBS Trim-Mate. The new Brass Boss includes tools for all six stations: inside VLD chamfering tool, outside deburring tool, primer pocket cleaners (small/large), military crimp removers (small/large), primer pocket uniformers (small/large), case neck brushes (four diameters), and a tub of dry case neck lubricant. MSRP for the Brass Boss is $189.95. We expect “street price” to be around $155.00.
COOL — World’s Biggest Cutaway Cartridge?
At the Vista Outdoor booth, we saw a 4-foot tall replica rifle cartridge. This was a real eye-catcher. Many folks looking at the giant-sized mock cartridge had never seen a 3-D cutaway like this showing the construction of the primer along with the core and jacket of the bullet. Note to Vista Outdoor — Please send one of these jumbo cutaways for our AccurateShooter.com “Man-Cave”.
WILD — $18,000 Janz Plasma Finish Revolver
Holy Mother of Mercy. This stunning Janz pistol costs $18,000. You can buy an entry-level Honda Civic for that! But does that Honda have a rainbow-colored Plasma finish like the Janz? And can the Civic swap barrel and cylinder assemblies to shoot multiple calibers? These top-of-the line Janz wheelguns are crafted in Germany in very small numbers. Just remember, beauty doesn’t come cheap.
NEW — Leica HD-B 3000 Geovid Rangefinder Binoculars
When we looked through the new HD-B 3000 Leica Geovids we were stunned. Superb clarity and sharpness. And the laser ranging was instantaneous — amazingly fast. The new Geovid HD-B 3000 delivers linear distance determination up to 3,000 yards (2,750 meters). This combo binocular/LRF has an ABC® ballistic brain inside which can output holdover, click adjustment, and equivalent horizontal range (EHR). Barometric pressure, temperature and angle are also included in the measurements. Impressive.
FUN — Selfie Time with Jerry Miculek — The Man, the Legend
Where else but SHOT Show in Las Vegas can you get a selfie with the world’s greatest revolver shooter, the legendary Jerry Miculek. Jerry was signing autographs at the Hornady booth. Of course Jerry’s not just a wheelgun ace. He has been a top 3-Gun competitor and, at last year’s 2017 Industry Day at the Range, Jerry set a world rifle speed record shooting a S&W M&P15.
NEW — Lyman Brass Smith C-Frame Press
Lyman has three new cast-iron presses on display: an O-Frame Single Stage, and 8-station Turret, and this compact Brass Smith C-Frame Ideal open front press. We liked them all but we think this new C-Frame press is an exceptional value. With beefy cast-iron construction, it is much stiffer than other presses in this category. The compound linkage is smooth. The base is big enough to provide good stability. For someone looking for a second press, or a smaller press to take to the range, the new Lyman may be the right solution. Thumbs up.
WEIRD — Virtual Reality Self-Defense Simulator
At the NRA Booth, CarryGuard, the NRA’s insurance program, had a half-dozen high-tech Virtual Reality simulators. Visitors could put on a pair of VR goggles, and then experience a variety of threat scenarios. This helps gun owners recognize true threats and respond in a proper manner. We like the cool Virtual Reality technology, but it still seemed weird to see grown men wearing goofy VR headgear and waving their arms around like circus clowns.
BAD ASS — Victrix Heavy Metal Tactical Rifles
Victrix is an Italian rifle-maker that shows that has proven that the USA doesn’t have a monopoly on seriously “Bad Ass” weaponry. We saw a trio of Victrix Minerva Tactical rifles that look tough enough to survive the Zombie Apocalypse with ease. The Minerva’s beefy carry handle under the fore-end is an interesting feature — something similar might come in handy for big ELR rigs.
SMART — Burris Spotting Scope with Accessory Red Dot
Can you see an extra feature fitted to this Burris Signature HD Spotting Scope. Yep, that’s a Burris Red Dot Sight on the left side near the eyepiece. Smart idea — this helps you align the spotter quickly, particularly in low-light situations. After seeing this rig, we’re wondering how we might attach a red dot to our older spotting scopes. Hats off to Burris for this clever optics upgrade.
NEW and TEMPTING — Tikka T1x Rifle in .17 HMR
When we first revealed the impressive new Tikka T1x rimfire rifle in .22 LR, some readers said: “Well the .22 LR version is nice but will it be available in .17 HMR? That’s what I really want”. Well ladies and gentlemen, Tikka WILL sell a 17 HMR version of the T1x (see above). We saw this on display at SHOT Show and smiled. This gun has a very nice trigger, smooth running bolt, and the magazine is easy to seat (unlike some other recent rimfire rigs). Fitted with a nice 3-18X scope and bipod, this could be a great carry-around varmint rifle. We hope to test one this spring.
* NOTE: With some cartridge types for which Lapua brass is not currently made, other brands of brass may be used. However, most Berger Ammunition will feature Lapua brass.
There are literally thousands of handguns on display at SHOT Show, most of which you can hold, cycle, and test the trigger pull. Among the hordes of handguns, we found some very eye-catching examples, such as the very serious-looking Walther PPQ M2 Q4 TAC above. It comes standard with Red Dot sights and threaded muzzle for suppressor. Also shown (in negative) is a Smith & Wesson Performance Center S&W500 Revolver with a 10.5″ barrel. Below are some other interesting handguns we saw at SHOT Show 2017.
Lone Wolf Modified Glock 17 Signature Series
Why in Heaven’s name would anyone pay $1400.00 for a Glock? Well Lone Wolf Distributors thinks someone will fork over that princely sum for a Glock fully pimped out with a Titanim Nitride (TiN) gold-tone slide, Red dot sights, plus suppressor-friendly tall sights. Oh, it’s also fitted out with a TiN Gold PVD adjustable trigger. But underneath all that bling it’s still a Glock. What do you think? Glorious or Gaudy? It is certainly eye-catching. As they say, the “Bling’s the Thing”.
Smith & Wesson Performance Center Tuned, Unfluted 686
For 2018, the Smith & Wesson Performance Center is rolling out a pair of specially upgraded 7-shot model 686 revolver. Offered in two barrel lengths, these special wheelguns feature the Performance Center® Speed Release Thumbpiece, which speeds cylinder release for fast reloads. These special comp guns boasts a PC-tuned action, vented/ribbed barrel, chromed trigger, and chromed, teardrop hammer (nice). The distinctive, unfluted cylinder is relieved for moon clips which can also speed up loading.
Walther PPQ M2 Q4 TAC 9mm
Our top photo shows the new PPQ M2 Q4 TAC, which is “race ready” right out of the box. Based the popular Walther PPQ, this TAC model adds a mount and threaded muzzle, plus some other features. “The Q5 Match has been very popular and we have had a lot of interest in a 4″ more tactical version. We are excited to combine a suppressor-ready and optics-ready pistol into a best-of-both worlds platform,” said Luke Thorkildsen, Walther VP of marketing. The 9mm Q4 TAC comes with two recoil springs. One for normal shooting and one for use with suppressors. The optics-ready slide features an LPA sight system with a fiber optic in the front and competition iron sight at the rear. The rear optics mounting system fits many popular red dots including Doctor, Leupold, and Trijicon. Trigger pull weight is a moderate 5.6 lbs. but the reset is ultra-short — just 0.1″. Priced at $799 MSRP, the Q4 TAC is backed by Walther’s lifetime warranty.
SIG Sauer P365 9mm Carry Pistol
SIG Sauer has just released an impressive new compact pistol, the SIG P365. This boasts excellent build quality and reliability in a slim package. It offers 10+1 round capacity in a gun that’s just 5.8″ overall and 1.1″ wide. Guns America got an early production model and their reviewer was impressed: “I have to applaud SIG. I was amazed by how much I liked shooting the P365. With its capacity advantage, small size, and good controls, it’s possible that the P365 will be the next go-to everyday carry handgun solution.” The gun comes with Tritium night sights and a good trigger. Each P365 also comes with an extra 12-round extended mag. With a $599.00 MSRP, expect street price around $500.00.
A SIG representative said SIG’s goal was to create a compact gun that shoots well — like a larger pistol: “We wanted to come up with a pistol that served the purpose — that gave people the capacity they have always wanted in this size gun, but something they could shoot. We’re busting paradigms, this is a game-changer.”
Taurus Raging Hunter .44 Mag and Model 692 Multi-Caliber
The new Raging Hunter from Taurus is an impressive beast. This six-shot .44 magnum has some interesting features. That red strip on the grip is extra padding to deal with the heavy recoil. Up front the dark gray slab is actually an aluminum barrel sleeve with Picatinny rail on top. This saves weight and provides a distinctive two-tone look. The actual 8.375″ barrel, which is ported, sits inside the sleeve.
Taurus also has another interesting long-barreled revolver. Shipping with TWO cylinders, the new Taurus Model 692 shoots .38 Special, .357 Magnum, and 9x19mm cartridges through the same barrel. That’s possible because 9x19mm bullet diameter is 0.355″. The nominal bullet diameter for .357 Magnum is 0.357″ or 9.1 mm, so you can see the diameters are very close. The 692 wheelgun ships with TWO cylinders — one for .38/.357, and a second for 9mm with moon clips. We like the ability to shoot inexpensive 9mm Luger ammo. Now you can take your favorite 9mm semi-auto pistol AND a wheelgun to the range and feed them both with the same box of ammo. Cool.
Kimber Full-Size and Compact 1911s
Kimber is releasing a host of new pistols for 2018. There are 23 new semi-auto pistols plus three new wheelguns. Most of the new Kimbers are 1911 varient. Our favorite new full-size Kimber is the Aegis Elite Custom OI, offered in both .45 ACP and 9x19mm. Shown above, the Aegis Elite has all the bells and whistles: custom G10 grips, bobbed backstrap, and stylized slide cuts front and rear. The $1395.00 MSRP includes a 6-MOA Vortex Venom 6 MOA Red Dot sight plus back-up iron sights.
Kimber also has an impressive compact-size 1911-style pistol in 9mm Luger. The Micro 9 Covert (at right) features gray camo LaserGrips plus a distincive Carry Melt treatment (softening the hard corners), plus a bobbed backstrap. Nice option for someone wanting a 1911-style pistol for concealed carry.
Ruger LCP II with Viridian Laser
Small, thin, and light — that’s what you want an everyday, pocket carry gun to be. The new Ruger LCP II with Viridian Red Laser is just 5.17″ long and 3.71″ tall, with a 3/4″-wide slide. That’s thin. Weight is 11.8 ounces. The compact size and low mass is the main reason to carry this .380 ACP rather than a more powerful 9mm pistol. This new version also features an integral, factory-installed Viridian E-Series red (635-650 nm) laser. Mounted on the trigger guard, the laser features ambidextrous push-button activation. Like other LCP II models, this pocket pistol features textured grip frame, easy-to-rack slide, bladed trigger safety, and low-profile snag-free sights. This latest LCP II with Viridian E-Series red laser has a $439.00 MSRP, including a handy pocket holster.
Beretta — The APX Family Grows in 2018
Beretta will greatly expand its line of polymer-framed APX pistols in 2018. And Beretta has models with a Red Dot optic mounting plate on the slide top. Interface adaptors will be supplied for Burris Fast Fire, C-More, DeltaPoint PRO, and RMR Red Dot sights. MSRP for the Red Dot-capable Full Size APX is $725. Expect street price around $685. The new tan model APX should be popular. Seen above, this features a Cerakote FDE (Flat Dark Earth) slide.
Parting Shot: S&W Double Trouble — Two Super-Sized Revolvers
At the Smith & Wesson booth last year, one visitor showed off two mega-sized S&W Performance Center hunting revolvers. These jumbo S&W500™ wheelguns, chambered for the mighty 500 S&W Magnum cartridge, feature massive 10.5″ barrels plus muzzle brakes. Overall length is 18″. Size counts right?
For folks in the gun industry, the third Monday in January is the best day of the year. Held in conjunction with SHOT Show, Industry Day at the Range lets us try out dozens of new rifles and pistols, as well as meet top gun designers and friends in the shooting sports. We saw some very great new products this year. Here are some of the most interesting “take-aways” from Industry Day at the Range, held in Bolder City, Nevada on January 22, 2018.
New Guns + Old Friends
Meeting old friends, and shooting new guns. That’s what Monday was all about at the annual Industry Day at the Range, a “hands-on” preview the day before SHOT Show opens in Las Vegas. Your Editor met with old buddy Jason Baney at the crack of dawn and headed out to the Boulder City (NV) range.
We were not disappointed — there was plenty to see this year. On display were a bunch of new precision rifles, a slew of new handguns, and some very exotic optics.
Most Interesting New Rifles
Tikka T1x — Tikka’s New Rimfire Rifle is a Winner
The new Tikka T1x doesn’t disappoint. The bolt operates smoothly. The action feels solid and refined — like a good centerfire action. The trigger is excellent — it breaks cleanly with no creep or grittiness, and we’re told it can be easily adjusted below 2 pounds pull weight. The stock has a good feel in the hand and doesn’t flex — unlike some cheap Tupperware stocks you’ll find on some domestic rimfires. In addition, the action has the same footprint as the Tikka T3, so you can swap this .22 LR action into any stock that fits a T3. Overall this was the single rifle this Editor shot on Industry Day that I would really want to own.
Ruger Precision Rimfire — Baby Brother to the Ruger Precision Rifle
We test-fired the new Ruger Precision Rimfire. Unfortunately, with the wobbly setup and no paper targets, we could not really evaluate accuracy. Function is good, but we couldn’t call the bolt movement smooth. The trigger is not bad. Most of the chassis from the handguard rearward is reinforced polymer so the gun is pretty light. The + 30 MOA Picatinny rail is nice.
Above you can see the Ruger Precision Rimfire with its big centerfire brother, the Ruger Precision Rifle. Initial reports say that Ruger’s new rimfire rifle shoots well with affordable .22 LR ammo. Here’s a report from Forum Member RICHK: “Took mine to the range today, and ran eight (8) brands of ammo through it. Three worked really well. The best, Federal Match 22, shot .145 inch groups at 50 yards. Fine rifle.”
SAKO TRG 42 A-1 in .338 Lapua Magnum
Here is a handsome, beautifully-machined big-bore tactical rifle with all the bells and whistles. Firing from a high-tech tripod with Crux Ordnance rifle mount, our buddy Jason drilled steel at 500+ yards with the big .338 Lapua Magnum Sako. It’s awfully nice when you don’t have to pay for the ammo and they don’t mind if you take home the superb Lapua brass. This is a high end rig for serious engagements.
Savage Model 110 Line with AccuFit Comb and Buttpad Inserts
Savage showed off its new-for-2018 Model 110 Line-Up with the new Accufit system of cheekpiece/buttpad extensions that allow shooters to customize comb height and LOP. But, we were more interested in what you can’t see — the new internal aluminum chassis.
As part of Savage’s new Accustock system, a long aluminum sub-chassis serves as a bedding block for the action and provides general stiffening for the stock. That’s smart engineering. This video shows how the Savage internal chassis works. We highly recommend you watch this video:
Ritter & Stark SX-1 Modular Tactical Rifle
We liked the new Ritter and Stark Rifle SX-1 Modular Tactical Rifle from Germany. Fit and finish is very good. This is an honest competitor to the Accuracy International rifles. This rig is designed to allow rapid barrel changes for three chamberings: .308 Winchester, .300 Winchester Magnum, and .338 Lapua Magnum. Ergonomics were good — the grip was comfortable and we like the fact that the butt adjusts for vertical position. Notably, the scope rail is mounted on the barrel itself, and the bolt locks directly into the barrel. This patented system allows scope, rail, and barrel to be swapped out as one integrated assembly, which should definitely help maintain zero when barrels are exchanged.
Kriss Vector SBR — Full-Auto Fun and Firepower
We got a chance to shoot the 9x19mm version of the Kriss Vector Gen II SBR (Short Barrel Rifle) in FDE (Flat Dark Earth). This is a full-auto, pistol cartridge short-barrel rifle that uses Glock mags. It has a handy fire control selector so you can shoot it in single-shot, two-shot, or full-auto modes. This was a hoot to shoot. We’ve shot full-auto 9mm Uzi subguns in the past and this Kriss was easier to hold on target (and more accurate). Recoil was negligible. This is offered in four calibers: .357 Sig, 9x19mm, 10mm, and .45 ACP. MSRP is $1569.00, but civilians can’t buy this.
Best New Handguns
We viewed hundreds of pistols, shot a dozen or so, and came away with three we really liked. Here is a stunningly expensive 1911-type STI race gun, a handsome new 9mm Kimber, and a very innovative new polymer pistol from Europe, the Archon Type B.
STI 2011 DVC Open Race Gun — Four Grand Worth of Zing and Bling
At $3999.00, this is probably the most expensive comp pistol we’ve ever seen. This STI 2011 DVC Open features a host of “go-fast” features including relieved slide, gold-tone TiN barrel with extended compensator, over-size Dawson Precision Magwell, mounted C-More 8-MOA optic, and a special lever for fast slide racking. If you want to win, this might be a good investment, but this Editor kept thinking “this pistol costs more than my car is worth…”
Kimber Aegis Pro 9mm with 4″ Barrel
This is a 1911-style pistol with some interesting features. It combines a full-size bobtail frame with a shorter 4″ barrel. This makes the gun balance very nicely and it’s a bit more compact for carry. The trigger pull was outstanding, and recoil was mild with the 9mm Luger chambering, so this gun was a pleasure to shoot. This Editor would like to have one of these. The slide is machined to fit a Red Dot sight. For gun games and action pistol comps, the Red Dot really speeds up the aiming process.
Archon Firearms Type B with Ultra-Low Bore Axis
Developed in Italy, Made in Germany, and backed by the big RUAG company, the new Archon Type B 9mm pistol is one of the most innovative semi-auto handguns we’ve seen in years. The Type B boasts a patented barrel system. It is not the classic Browning tilting barrel. The Type B’s barrel is not fixed; however, it moves only a few millimeters up and back as the slide retracts. That barrel geometry allows the slide to be exceptionally low. And the frame design puts the web of your hand up high. Those design features really do help tame perceived muzzle lift. This gun was easy to shoot, and the sights came back on target very quickly.
Trends in Ammunition
On Industry Day at the Range, all ammo is free. So you can shoot to your heart’s content without worrying about cost (or picking up your brass). This year we noted that many gun-makers supplied Federal Syntec ammo with distinctive red, polymer-encapsulated bullets. The polymer coating cuts barrel fouling, and also reduces ricochets and “splashback” on steel targets:
Winchester also unveiled an interesting line of Hybrid-X ammunition. This has a dual-element bullet. The rear section of the bullet is jacketed with a heavy element core. The front half of the bullet has a shaped, polymer matrix cone. This hybrid design offers improved penetration PLUS greater energy delivery inside the target as the bullet separates into multiple elements. You can see how this works in the Ballistic Gelatin photo below.
Suppressed Weapon Systems (SWS) had a rack of rifles with very fat barrels — barrels that served double duty. These barrels are, effectively, extremely long suppressors. The conventional barrel unit is combined with a full-length sound moderator, offering exceptional noise reduction. In the photo above, every rifle in the front side of the rack has an SWS integral suppressor/barrel system. This is interesting technology.
With two dozen shooting bays, plus an elevated shooting station with targets out to 400 yards, there is plenty of action. Here’s the layout:
Next best thing to being there — this 5-minute video, filmed in 2015-16, shows all the activities on Media Day at the Boulder Rifle and Pistol Club. It’s a great overview of the event where over 1700 media members and buyers gather to test and evaluate the latest (and greatest) guns and shooting accessories introductions from over 200 manufacturers.
Scope-Cover Mounted Ballistics Table
1. High California Taxes. California’s Corporate Tax Rate is 8.84% — among the highest in the nation. Wyoming, by contrast, has ZERO state corporate taxes. California Sales Tax starts at 8% while Wyoming Sales Tax ranges from 4-6%. California was ranked 48th overall (third worst) in Tax Climate by the 
Kimber
Savage showed off its new-for-2018 Model 110 Line-Up with the new Accufit system of cheekpiece/buttpad extensions that allow shooters to customize comb height and LOP. But, we were more interested in what you can’t see — the new internal aluminum chassis.
