A California company, CaseCruzer, makes the nicest multi-pistol hard cases we’ve ever seen. With capacities from 2 pistols to 6 pistols, these lockable range cases hold handguns securely in angled “quick-draw” slots. In addition to the molded pistol carriers, there are slots for magazines together with a separate compartment for muffs, ammo, and other accessories. The base Quick Drawer 3-Pack and 4-Pack cases are quite expensive at $416.22, but they offer outstanding protection with great usability. We have never seen better handgun transport systems with nice vertical compartments for magazines. Water-tight and dust-proof, CaseCruzer cases are airline approved (ATA 300).
4-Gun Case
The smart design of the “Quick Draw” CaseCruzer cases lets you keep your pistol locks in place during transport. There is enough clearance to stow the pistols securely even with bulky trigger-guard locks.
5-Gun Case
Wheelgunners will like the CaseCruzer Revolver 6-Pack. CaseCruzer also offers a Quick Draw case that holds six semi-auto pistols with magazines. The semi-auto 6-Pack is offered with optional wheels.
Shooting Industry magazine has released its first-ever “Safety Issue” this month (June 2023), coinciding with National Safety Month. Among the many articles in the June issue are three major features which can benefit gun owners and range operators. These articles cover Firearms Safes (large and small), Eye and Ear Protection, and general range Health and Safety procedures.
Gun Safe Trends for Large Vaults and Portable Units
In this month’s featured Gun Safes article, SI writer Shannon Farlow spoke with Stephen Hall of Lock It Up Safe Company; Brice McCunn, of Iowa Safe Company; and Larry Hyatt, president of Hyatt Guns.
SI: Which types of gun safes are the most popular these days?
Hall: In our store, we tend to divide safes in a few categories such as pistol/travel, “home safes” (which usually means 44″ and shorter, small safes (think 1–20 rifles), big safes (20+ rifles) and extra-large safes, which can have capacities of close to 100. We seem to rotate through all of them pretty consistently, but if I had to pick one that’s a bit slow it would be the medium sizes such as 60″ tall and between 36″–42″ wide. Oftentimes, I think people want something much smaller or much larger.
McCunn: In Iowa, we’ve noticed a trend of larger safes being sold. For instance, 72″ tall safes are by far the most popular for our region, but we do sell a variety of sizes.
Hyatt: Small handgun safes remain our top sellers. We use these as add-on sales for every gun sold in our store and we offer a discount at point of purchase.
SI: How popular are portable gun safes?
Hyatt: These are our top sellers by a significant margin. They are an inexpensive way to allow gun owners to secure their firearms, while still allowing easy access to them, both in the home and on the go.
Hall: Securing a firearm in a car is probably the most popular thing small handgun-style safes are utilized for. Vaultek has done a phenomenal job of addressing this with their LifePod and Barikade line of travel safes. They come in a variety of sizes, colors and features. Vaultek has biometric options along with keypad options, creating an option for most shoppers.
Eye and Ear Protection
Eye and ear protection are vital for all gun owners. And visitors to shooting ranges should rent/borrow eye and ear protection if they don’t have their own gear.
Store owners interviewed by Shooting Industry noted that safety gear sells well: “Out of all the stuff in the shop, they’re probably the easiest things to sell, maybe other than ammo,” confirmed Tim Van Leiden, owner of The Gun Guys in Kansas. Indeed, this stuff is pretty much a mandatory part of every shooter’s kit, suggests John Stephenson, general manager of Metro Shooting Supplies in Missouri. Accordingly Metro Shooting promotes eye and ear protection for all customers.
There is a trend to shooters getting electronic muffs. These offer excellent protection against high-decibel sounds while still allowing shooters to hear range commands. Plugs alone can work well, but plugs under electronic muffs may be the best option. Plugs under muffs can provide maximum sound protection (with 6-8 dB NRR better than typical muffs alone), while allowing shooters to hear instructions and communicate with fellow shooters.
Shooting Range Safety and Health Programs
In a detailed “Best Practices” artile Dale Krupinski explains how to maintain effective range safety and health programs, and keep indoor ranges safe for workers and customers. Among the key points covered in the article are:
1. Frequently inspect the shooting range for safety hazards.
2. Conduct lead dust and noise exposure tests for range workers.
3. Provide safety and health training to range managers and employees.
4. Communicate safety and health protocols to contractors working at the range.
5. Regularly verify that the safety and health programs are working as intended.
Let’s face it, AR-platform rifles run dirty, at least compared to typical bolt-action rifles. The AR-15 works by piping gas from the barrel back into the bolt carrier, causing the bolt to unlock and the carrier to move the bolt backward. The “exhaust gas” from the barrel contains soot and carbon. The carbon will form hard deposits on the bolt. In addition, the carbon can combine with lube on the bolt carrier to make a nasty, paste-like sludge. This can be particularly problematic when the black paste pollutes the ejector and extractor recess.
This Editor has inspected dozens of ARs over the years. Other than mag-related malfunctions, the most common cause of AR cycling problems I found was oily gunk in the extractor and ejector areas. Many AR owners overlook these critical areas. Look at an AR that hasn’t been cleaned properly and you’ll probably find black gunk (and small brass shavings) in the ejector and extractor recesses.
If you want to keep your black rifle running smoothly and reliably, you must clean it regularly and follow the correct maintenance procedures. Here are three videos that explain how to properly disassemble and clean AR-platform rifles. And then they cover the essential lubrication ARs need to run reliably.
Take-Down and Full Cleaning of AR15 by Jerry Miculek
Here ace shooter Jerry Miculek takes down and cleans an AR-platform rifle belonging to his daughter Lena. This is a good video because Lena’s rifle was “run hard and packed up dirty” so you can see where carbon and grease build up. This 35-minute video is very thorough. Jerry is one of the nation’s top action carbine shooters, so listen carefully to his advice on cleaning and lubrication.
General AR-15 Maintenance and Lubrication
There are various schools of thought on AR lubrication. Some guys like to run “wet” with lots of CLP, while others choose to focus lubrication on the key spots that receive the most friction and wear, such as the contact point for the bolt carrier. We do advice check the ejector recess and extractor spring recess frequently as gunk can get in there, causing malfunctions. Here is a good video from Pew Pew Tactical — a 7-minute guide to cleaning and lubricating AR-platform rifles. This shows important details for both the upper and the lower.
How to Clean Your AR-15 Bolt Carrier Assembly
This video offers very specific advice on the bolt carrier group, which receives the dirty gas directly from the barrel. Be sure to check the extractor and ejector recesses. That’s where old lube, brass shavings, and carbon accumulate. Follow the directions in this video for lubrication, and don’t over-lubricate the bolt carrier — that will only capture more carbon.
Right now, Brownells is running a big Warehouse Inventory Clearance Sale with 59 popular items on sale. There are big discounts on rifles, pistols, AR parts, chassis systems, optics, and ammunition. Right now you can save 20% or more on many of these discounted guns, scopes, and accessories.
Select Items on Sale Now
Here are eight notable selections from the 59 products currently listed in the Brownells Warehouse Inventory Clearance Sale. There are many other great bargains, but these seemed especially good:
Sportsman’s Warehouse (SW) is running a great Father’s Day Sale running June 2nd through June 18th, 2023. There are some truly great deals. You can save up to 25% on optics, hunting gear, archery equipment, rifles, pistols, and shotguns. There’s even a special bargain — if you buy a Liberty Gun Safe you quality for a free firearm. Here are some of the top deals we spotted. To see the full SW Father’s Day Sale Flyer, CLICK HERE then enter your Zip Code.
Here are 8 Great Deals we found — these will be available from 6/2/23 through 6/18/23.
NOTE: To load individual sale items go to Father’s Day Sale Flyer Page, then click on the item you want. That will launch a pop-up.
Dennis DeMille shows a young competitor at the CMP Western Games how to adjust his leather sling.
If you want to learn more about setting up your sling properly for position shooting, here are some tips from Dennis DeMille, a past Service Rifle Champion. Dennis explains how to choose a sling, and how to adjust it to fit properly.
The Benefits of Dry-Fire Training
Once you know how to set up your sling properly, you’ll want to practice. Dennis DeMille stresses the importance of dry-fire practice with sling and shooting coat. Dry-Fire training is essential to the sling disciplines. Dennis DeMille, a national Service Rifle Champion, told us that, for every minute he spent in actual competition, he would spend hours practicing without ammunition. While in the USMC, Dennis would practice in the barracks, working on his hold and dry-firing:
“The most important thing is to spend time off the range practicing. Most of what I learned as a High Power shooter I learned without ammunition — just spending time dry firing and doing holding exercises. Holding exercises will really identify the weak parts of your position. The primary purpose of dry firing is to get you used to shooting an empty rifle. If you can shoot a loaded rifle the same way you shoot an empty rifle then eventually you will become a High Master.”
SFC Brandon Green, 2018 Nat’l High Power Champion. Brandon, one of the nation’s best “hard-holders”, demonstrates proper use of sling in prone position.
Setting-Up a Leather Service Rifle Sling for Competition
So you made the mistake of disassembling your leather service rifle sling, or are intimidated about how to use one? In this Creedmoor Sports InfoZone video, former Creedmoor G.M. Dennis DeMille explains how to set up and use a sling. The covers the basics — Dennis starts with a totally disassembled leather service rifle sling and shows you how to set it up properly.
Tip: “Many shooters shy away from using a leather sling because they have never been taught how to use one. That’s unfortunate. In my opinion a leather sling offers more support than a web sling, which is important when competiting with the heavier than normal rifles.”
Configuring the Sling for the Standing (Offhand) Position
In this second in a series of Creedmoor InfoZone videos on the setup and use of the leather service rifle sling, Dennis DeMille details how to configure and best utilize the leather service rifle sling while shooting from the standing position.
Tip: “Putting the Frogs in different hole will change the amount of added elevation a sling provides.”
Looking at Sling Types — Comparing the Features
In this video Dennis showcases a large variety of shooting slings. He explains the strong points of each type so you can choose the sling best suited to your discipline and shooting style.
Register for CMP New England Games, High Power Rifle and Pistol Matches
On September 16-24, the CMP 2023 New England Games will take place in Jericho, Vermont. Hosted jointly by Camp Ethan Allen National Guard Training Site and the Vermont State Rifle and Pistol Association (VSRPA), the New England Games will be conducted at the Camp Ethan Allen Training Site, a beautiful facility. The New England Games features a full lineup of mathces including recreational-style rifle and pistol CMP Games events as well as High Power Rifle matches.
New England Games Registration is currently open. Competitors are encouraged to register right away, though interested shooters will also be able to register for additional matches while attending the event. The CMP expects over 150 competitors this year. The New England Games have become extremely popular for the serene, scenic environment and fun competition.
Popular Rifle Events
Popular events like the Garand/Springfield/Vintage and Modern Military (GSMM), Rimfire Sporter, Carbine and Vintage Sniper matches combine classic and contemporary rifle competitions that are suitable for those just beginning as well as those seasoned in the sport. Additionally, High Power rifle matches like the 80 Shot Aggregate series, a 4-Man Team event and a Service Rifle Excellence-In-Competition (EIC) match offer even more exciting challenges on the range, fired on CMP electronic targets.
Rifle Training Programs at New England Games
A basic Rifle Training Class will be held at New England Games. Also, an M1 Maintenance Clinic will show M1 owners how to maintain and preserve the historic M1 Garand rifle. And a GSMM New Shooter Clinic will be offered for novice GSMM competitors.
Electronic Targets Speed Up Matches and Eliminate Pit Duties
The 202e New England Games will feature the CMP’s electronic High Power targets. The electronic target system is now well-sorted and provides accurate scoring. Shooters have monitors right at their shooting stations, providing instant scoring info — no more waiting for the targets to be marked manually. And with the elimination of pit duty allowed by the target system, matches are completed more quickly.
Pistol Matches and Handgun Training Courses The CEATS Pistol Range hosts centerfire and rimfire matches in a lovely, tree-lined setting.
The CMP New England Games will include Service Pistol, .45 Cal, and .22 Rimfire Pistol EIC events, along with As-Issued 1911 Pistol and Military & Police Service Pistol matches. the CMP will host a Pistol Marksmanship 101 course with hands-on training on the firing line covering gun safety, target shooting skills, positioning, mechanics and more. All firearms and equipment will be provided.
Accommodations and Meals
Competitors may stay at Camp Ethan Allen in the Barracks for $20.00 per night (advance application required). Meals are also available and must be requested in advance. There will also be Camp Transient Quarters available to former and current military personal. Competitors interested in Transient Quarters will contact the Billeting Office at (802) 899-7028.
The Second Amendment recognizes Americans’ right to “keep and bear arms”. That right is NOT limited to bolt action or single-shot rifles. But in defiance of the Second Amendment, New York state has imposed a discretionary licensing requirement for persons who want to acquire semi-auto rifles. That essentially allows New York to arbitrarily deny law-abiding citizens their Second Amendment rights.
Consequently, that New York rifle license law is now being challenged in court, in the case of McGregor et al v. Suffolk County, NY, recently filed in Federal District Court for the Eastern District of New York. That lawsuit challenges: “(i) enforcement of Senate Bill 9458, which requires ordinary people to apply for and obtain a discretionary license to purchase, receive, sell, exchange, and/or dispose of semiautomatic rifles, and register their weapons with the government, all under penalty of criminal sanctions; and (ii) enforcement of policies that result in exorbitant 2-3 year delays in issuing a license to purchase, receive, sell, exchange, and dispose of semiautomatic rifles.” Download COMPLAINT HERE.
The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) has filed an Amicus brief in McGregor v. Suffolk County. The SAF argues that New York State’s “rifle license” requirement under New York SB 9458 is unconstitutional.
In its opening section, the SAF brief states, “The State of New York’s requirement to obtain a ‘rifle license’ before an individual may acquire a semiautomatic rifle is repugnant to the plain text of the Second Amendment and this nation’s history and tradition.” SAF founder and Executive V.P. Alan M. Gottlieb notes that there is nothing in the Second Amendment which supports a “requirement that government give its permission so that an individual may exercise the right to keep and bear arms.”
“The state’s requirement that an individual obtain a license prior to acquiring a long gun is simply incompatible with the text of the Second Amendment as informed by this nation’s history and tradition,” said attorney Adam Kraut, who also serves as SAF Executive Director. “New York has continuously imposed additional burdens and regulations on peaceable individuals on the purchase, transfer, and possession of firearms that do not conform with constitutional limitations on the state’s power. It is time for New York to recognize that, despite its preference to the contrary, it does not have the constitutional authority to enact these types of laws which only serve to impede an individual’s ability to exercise their constitutional rights.”
SUMMARY: This article reviews a device that “triggers” the LabRadar chronograph to register bullet speed. Rather than activate by sound or Doppler reading, this $35 JKL Inertial Trigger works from the rifle’s instantaneous recoil pulse when a shot is fired. After some frustration with his LabRadar when shooting at a range with reflective surfaces, our tester is now reporting that 100% of his actual shots are being captured correctly by his LabRadar chrono equipped with the JKL Inertial Trigger. He won’t use his LabRadar without it now. Other users have become instant fans of this inertial LabRadar trigger as well. It is very affordable and it works great. VIEW LARGE PHOTO.
JKL Inertial Trigger for LabRadar Chronograph
Product Review by F Class John
The LabRadar chronograph has been one of the most revolutionary tools in the shooting world because of how it collects velocity data, how it reports (and stores) that data, and, ultimately, the ease with which it can be positioned and operated. However, it’s not a perfect system. A majority of the complaints come from users whose LabRadars sometimes fail to record all the shots fired in a string. For the average plinker, this may not be an issue. But for serious shooters trying to do ladder tests or load development requiring all shots to be reported, it can be frustrating when a shot is missed.
Traditionally, LabRadar has recommended trying different settings that compensate for the gap between the unit and muzzle as well as well as having different options for how the unit recognizes a shot fired. While these options work to some degree, they aren’t a guaranteed fix especially when shooting at ranges with concrete baffles or with roofs, walls, and dividers that can alter sound waves. While nobody can precisely explain why shots are lost under certain circumstances, the fact remains it DOES happen. In addition, the default system can sometimes pick up stray shots from nearby rifles.
Not willing to give up on this sophisticated chronograph, many shooters have looked for a foolproof way to prevent such failures from happening. In fact, for this shooter, the frustration was so high that I actually sold my first LabRadar and went back to another chronograph before ultimately buying another LabRadar almost a year later. But I made that repeat purchase only after vowing to finding a way to make the LabRadar work — EVERY time, for EVERY shot.
See How JKL Inertial Trigger Works in this Video
JKL Inertial Trigger — Outstanding Product That Works Great
Enter the JKL Gen 2 Trigger for the LabRadar. This is an easy-to-use, inertial-driven trigger that activates simply from the recoil of your gun. The unit consists of a small rectangular pad attached to a long audio cable. All you do is plug in the audio cable, attach the pad to your gun with the provided hook and loop (Velcro) material. Then (important), you must change the LabRadar trigger settings from “Doppler” to “Trigger”. The unit works great and is easy to set up. In my experience, the unit will activate no matter where you place it on a stock. However the recoil of every gun is slightly different, so you will need to make sure you find a location that doesn’t interfere with your shooting setup.
An unexpected benefit of using the JKL trigger is that it gives you a larger area in which to place your Labradar unit, making it more convenient to setup on benches or range stations. I found this a welcome relief since the LabRadar originally seemed somewhat fussy about where I placed it. Now I can place the LabRadar in more convenient locations — as long as it’s still near my gun and pointed at the target correctly, I get consistent bullet speed data.
Are There Issues with “False Positives”?
If there is any downside to using the JKL Inertial Trigger, it’s that a very hard bump or aggressive working of the action can trigger a false reading. However these are easy to identify in your data, because the speed value is way lower than true fired shot values. Simply remove that low entry or otherwise ignore it in your calculations. To be fair, this “bump activation” really doesn’t happen very often once you get used to using the inertial trigger.
SUMMARY — Outstanding Accessory for LabRadar Users
Bottom line — if you own a LabRadar, then definitely get a JKL Inertial Trigger. Priced at just $35.00 this device is not expensive, yet it’s one of the most effective accessories you can buy for the LabRadar. I’ve recommended these inertial triggers to dozens of shooters. Every one of those guys who did buy a JKL trigger says they can’t imagine using a LabRadar without one. If you love what the LabRadar can do, but have been frustrated with shots not getting recorded 100% of the time, then definitely get yourself a JKL Inertial Trigger. It turns a good system into an amazing system. JKL Industries states that its inertial trigger “will work on anything from a .22 LR to a suppressed system or with standard rifle and brake.”
Looking for a superb illustrated coffee table book about guns? Yes there is such a thing, a great book we highly recommend — The Illustrated History of Fireams (2nd Edition). This full-color 320-page hardcover book features more than 1,700 photos compiled by NRA Museums curators Jim Supica, Doug Wicklund, and Philip Schreier. This Second Edition includes 300 photos more than the original, plus dozens of new profiles of important persons who influenced firearms development.
This follow-up to the best-selling original NRA Museums book is loaded with great images, historical profiles, and technical data on old, new, and currently-manufactured firearms that have changed history. Covering the earliest matchlocks to modern match-grade superguns and everything in between, The Illustrated History of Firearms provides a fascinating education on how guns evolved, where they originated and how they worked.
The Illustrated History of Firearms, 2nd Edition
– Authored by the experts at the NRA Firearms Museums
– Published by Gun Digest Books
– 9 ½ x 11 1/2 inches, hardcover with dust jacket
– 1,700 full-color photos
– 320 Pages, Hardcover
– Price: $39.99 (MSRP); $33.79 on Amazon
The Illustrated History of Firearms, 2nd Edition is available from Amazon direct for $33.79 delivered. Amazon also lists the book starting at $28.54 from a variety of other book vendors. You’ll also find the book at major bookstores such as Barnes & Noble, but it’s probably easier to purchase online.
Historic American Arms — Teddy Roosevelt’s Lever Guns
These two lever action rifles, owned by President Theodore Roosevelt, are part of the NRA Museum collection. First is a Winchester 1886 rifle known as the tennis match gun because Roosevelt used winnings from a tennis match to buy it. Below that is a suppressed Winchester model 1894 rifle. Roosevelt liked to shoot varmints around Oyster Bay (Long Island, NY) with this gun so he wouldn’t disturb his neighbors — the Tiffany and Du Pont families.
About the NRA Museums
The NRA opened the original National Firearms Museum at its Washington DC Headquarters in 1935. In 2008 the Francis Brownell Museum of the South West opened at the NRA’s Whittington Center in Raton, NM. Then, in 2013, the National Sporting Arms Museum opened at the Bass Pro Shops store in Springfield, MO. Every year, at these three museum facilities, over 350,000 persons visit to see the impressive exhibits and many of America’s most famous firearms. For more information, visit www.NRAMuseum.org.
The Benefits of Dry-Fire Training
