At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
⏺ Killer deal on best LR Target Camera system on the market — save $139. IMPORTANT — You must put LR-3 in Shopping Cart to get $699.00 price!
The Longshot LR-3 system combines a high-definition video camera with a special long-range receiver. That set-up delivers sharp, live digital video at distances up to two miles. And integrated software lets you record groups and mark shots. Right now you can get the LR-3 with Bulletproof Warranty for just $699.00. That’s a $139.00 savings over the regular price with warranty. That Bulletproof Warranty will repair or replace your unit if it is damaged by gunfire or other hazard. Note, if you don’t need the 2-mile range, you can get the Marksman Target Camera for $399.00, or the Hawk Spotting Scope Camera for $199.00. Get FREE shipping on the LR-3 with MidwayUSA Code FREESHIPPING106.
⏺ Fast-cycling, fun to shoot, great budget NRL22 rig
Looking for a bargain basement .22 LR rifle for NRL22 or gun games? Then grab one of these German-made ISSC SPA rifles — a true steal at $279.99. Guys, if you have ANY interest in this unique .22 LR rifle WATCH the VIDEO! REPEAT — CLICK that Video!
The first 10 seconds has good closeups of the rifle being fired and the toggle-link being cycled. The reviewer notes the “gun IS really accurate” (3:33) and has a very smooth trigger. The action includes an integrated 11 mm/3/8″ dovetail rail to mount rings for your optics. We’ve used toggle-link actions, and they do benefit from break-in and a good lube.
3. Graf & Sons — Nosler Reloading Manual No. 9
⏺ Most current printed load manual available — New Cartridge Data
Nosler has just released the Nosler Reloading Guide #9, the latest hardback Nosler load manual. This 800-page guide covers 101 cartridge types. New in this edition you’ll find the popular 6mm Creedmoor, 6mm XC, 6.5 PRC, and 7.62×39, along with 20 Nosler, 22 Nosler, 24 Nosler, 27 Nosler and 33 Nosler. This new guide draws from thousands of hours in the Nosler Ballistic Lab, along with the experience of many respected experts. The book is available right now for $27.99 at Grafs.com.
Here’s a good compact set of binoculars from a respected brand for an exceptionally low price — just $79.99 at Grafs.com. That’s twenty-dollars off the regular $99.99 price (20% savings). These 10x25mm porroprism binoculars are a good choice for hikers, hunters, and campers who want a small, light-weight binocular optic that’s easy to carry. The waterproof, fog-proof BX-1 Rogue is 4.7″ long and weighs just 12.7 ounces. User reviews are very positive, with 78% 5-star and 14% 4-star ratings on Amazon.
5. Midsouth — RCBS Rotary Case Tumbler with SS Media, $152.99
⏺ Wet tumbling works great, big capacity kit includes SS Pins
Want to get your old, used brass looking like new again? Try wet-tumbling your cases with stainless media. You’ll be impressed. For wet-tumbling, a good option is the RCBS Rotary Case Tumbler. On sale now for $152.99, this comes with everything you need to get started including 5 pounds of stainless steel pin media. This is a good unit with plenty of capacity.
⏺ Great glass, fairly compact, good for hunting + competition
We have used this 16-48x60mm Monarch ED spotter in the field. It is outstanding. It has exceptionally sharp, bright glass and compares well with spotters that cost $400-500 more. This is on sale now at Brownells for $980.99, $419 off the original $1399.95 price. NOTE: the 20-60x60mm Nikon Monarch ED sells for nearly $1400 on Amazon, so this is a great value if you don’t need the higher, 60-power magnification. Important technical features include: Advanced Apochromat ED (Extra-low dispersion) glass that minimizes color fringing; Field Flattener Lens System that delivers sharp images all the way to the periphery; Optimized Focusing System for fast focusing.
7. Palmetto SA — Vortex 1-6x24mm Scope + Mount, $330.00
⏺ Smart cantilever set-up for AR rifles, save $59.99 with Code “EAGLE”
If you are looking for an affordable turn-key scope solution for your AR-platform rifle, check out this Vortex 1-6x24mm Strike Eagle Scope + Mount Combo System. This combo includes a 30mm tube Strike Eagle riflescope PLUS a Vortex cantilevered scope mount that positions the optic in the right position on a AR15 or AR10 rifle. You can see how the system works on an AR15 above. AR owners have been very happy with this combination. The Strike Eagle offers a true 6X zoom ratio with an illuminated AR-BDC3 Reticle optimized for ARs. Listed retail price is $389.99 but you save $59.99 with CODE “EAGLE”. That lowers your net cost to $330.00 for scope and mount.
8. Amazon — Motion-Sensor LED Interior Light, $14.99
⏺ Activates when door opens, Rechargeable, 3 LED Light Levels
Here’s a great accessory for your Gun Safe or closet. This rechargeable LED Lamp turns itself on when you open the door, and off when you close the door. Select three brightness levels: 10LED, 20LED, 30LED. With the supplied 3M adhesive magnetic strip you can easily attach the light to the inner walls of your gun safe. And then quickly remove the unit for charging with a standard USB cord (no batteries to replace!). It works, it’s handy, and it’s inexpensive — just $14.99 on Amazon. These motion-sensor LED lamps can also be used in garages or stairwells. NOTE: this is Amazon’s choice for rechargeable LED Motion-Sensor lights.
9. Amazon — MTM Cleaning Rod Case, $13.84
⏺ Good way to transport and store cleaning rods — lowest price ever
Good cleaning rods are expensive and can be easily damaged if you’re not careful. To protect those valuable cleaning rods, we recommend the MTM cleaning rod case which holds four rods as well as cleaning supplies. This case protects your rods both at home and while traveling. With this handy, durable case you can stop worrying about bending or breaking those important cleaning rods. This is a great price — this case typically sells for about $22.00.
The International Benchrest Shooters (IBS) will hold its Annual Meeting this month. It will be a virtual meeting, done via the Zoom internet service. The 2021 IBS Annual Meeting will be held online, via Zoom, on Saturday, January 16th at 9:00 a.m. Eastern. Outgoing President Jeff Stover tells us “This is an IBS meeting but anyone [with an interest in benchrest competition] can get on the Zoom virtual meeting.”
To participate in the meeting, you’ll need to Register with Zoom. Here is the link to register:
Jeff Stover notes that members can send in questions for the meeting: “Participants can use [email] to send in questions which I (or someone) hope to be able to answer online. The email address for questions will be sent out (via email) to those who register. Also there will be a ‘raise hand’ feature and chat with the administrator function.”
There will also be specific agenda items to be discussed at the meeting. These agenda items will be voted on, by the membership, on-line after February 1, 2021.
After the meeting outgoing President Jeff Stover, who has ably served as IBS president for 12 years, will turn over his position to new President David Matthew of North Carolina. And IBS Treasurer Bill Gebhardt will retire after 28 years of service. The new Treasurer will be Sally Bauer of Kansas.
The IBS anticipates that some of the IBS Shooter of the Year winners will participate, and perhaps share some of their secrets of success.
The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is running a new Smallbore Postal Competition this spring. The event, open to both Adults and Juniors, will feature 3-Position and Prone matches, fired from a distance of 50 feet. Individuals and clubs can register and fire in both events. There are two (2) specific events:
3-Position (3×20, Kneeling, Prone, Standing) – USA 50 Foot Target
Prone (60 Shots – Sling and F-Class) – USA 50 Foot Target
The CMP will print customized targets for each registered competitor and mail them to the club or individual. After firing, your targets shall be returned to the CMP or you may opt to score your own targets using the Orion Scoring System and send results to the CMP electronically. The cost for each competitor is $5.00 per event. Payment must be received before targets are mailed.
What’s a Postal Match? The concept is that shooters compete in different locations and then “mail in” their targets, hence the term “postal match”. Of course these days the results can also be transmitted electronically, but the concept is the same — shooters around the country complete a specific course of fire and then the results are tabulated, with final rankings based on scores. Competitors can compete individually or in groups, at the location of their choice. Competitors can shoot the targets at a time of their choosing, but all targets must be RECEIVED by the CMP no later than April 16, 2021.
“The CMP has a lot of experience with conducting postal competitions, and with everything going on in the world today, running a smallbore postal seems like a logical step for our program,” said Brad Donoho, CMP smallbore manager. “We’re happy to be able to provide a place for smallbore athletes everywhere to continue their growth on the range.”
Smallbore shooter Lauren Phillips won the Junior Olympic Shooting Championships in 2014.
Important Dates for the CMP Smallbore Postal Competition:
January 11, 2021 – Online Registration Begins
March 23, 2021 – Online Registration Ends
April 16, 2021 – Targets must be received by CMP
April 19, 2021 – Preliminary Results Posted
April 23, 2021 – All results are final
Savage Arms has just introduced the new Impulse series of straight-pull bolt rifles. This is the first American-designed and crafted straight-pull centerfire rifle. The new Impulse features an innovative Hexlock bolt-locking mechanism with six spherical bearings that move radially outward into a ring in the barrel extension, thereby locking the bolt in place. That barrel extension is held in the receiver assembly by four cross-bolts on the lower front section. Ahead of the barrel extension is a conventional recoil lug and a familiar Savage barrel nut.
Savage Impulse Straight-Pull Rifle — Overview
Savage claims the new system offers the cycling speed of a semi-auto, with the accuracy of a bolt-action. There have been some initial field tests, and it looks like the performance has been good. However, based on the videos that Savage has posted, the cycling of the Impulse’s straight-pull bolt does not seem to be as smooth as some European straight-pulls, such as the Blaser R8, Merkel RX Helix, and Strasser RS 14. We’ve tried those Austrian/German rifles and you really can cycle them very smoothly. From the video the Savage Impulse appears to require somewhat more muscle and effort. Watch below. The video will launch at the 15-second mark for a comparison between the Impulse and a conventional Savage bolt-action:
Savage Speed Comparison — Impulse vs. Regular Bolt Action
Savage says: “Conventional bolt-actions require four steps to cycle the bolt. Impulse simplifies the process with a simple back-and-forth motion.”
Advantages of Straight-Pull Cycling System
What is the advantage of a straight-pull system? You should be able to cycle faster, and (ideally) maintain your cheek-weld and target view. Savage says: “The smooth bolt throw allows a shooter to cycle rounds intuitively, without the need for the standard four changes-of-direction common to a conventional bolt’s path-of-travel. Impulse reduces split times and allows a shooter to manipulate the bolt without losing [his] cheek weld. The bolt travels out and back and shooters don’t have to take their eyes off the target.” Sounds good, but if you watch the above videos, it’s not as wonderful as claimed. That said, if one slows down a bit, a straight pull should allow the shooter to maintain his cheek weld.
Savage’s Impulse “will redefine the way you think about straight-pull rifles”, said Al Kasper, President/CEO of Savage Arms. These new Impulse rifles are built for speed — faster bolt cycling while maintaining ones cheek-weld. This increase in speed can help a hunter make effective follow-up shots.
When the bolt is closed, the Hexlock system holds it in place instead of conventional lugs. With the Hexlock, six (6) hardened steel bearings lock the bolt in place inside the receiver’s barrel extension. Savage says “As pressure increases, Hexlock’s hold tightens, ensuring that there can be no rearward movement of the bolt. Once the round has left the barrel, the pressure subsides, and the action can safely open again with the straight pull of the bolt handle.”
Savage Impulse — Hexlock System (Bolt Locks in Barrel Extension)
The cleverly-designed, modular Impulse bolt can be disassembled without tools. And the bolt-handle can be moved to either side easily. NOTE: In this diagram it may appear that the barrel does not have threads on the chamber end. Actually, Impulse barrels DO have threads on that end, which are used by the barrel nut. However, these threads are covered by a barrel extension which is held in the action/receiver by a lower-side four-bolt barrel clamp.
To design and craft the Savage Impulse, Savage employed advanced engineering with computer modeling. Savage also uses advanced, computer-controlled machinery to build these rifles The video below shows the design/engineering process by which Savage brought the Impulse from concept to finished product in just two years — a very short time by firearms industry standards.
This Video Shows How the Savage Impulse Was Engineered
Savage Impulse — Ambidextrous, Adjustable Angle Bolt Handle
One of the key features of the new Savage Impulse is an ambidextrous bolt handle that can be quickly and easily moved from one side to the other. This allows Impulse rifles to work for both left-handed and right-handed shooters. In addition, the angle of the bolt handle can be adjusted by simply pushing a spring-loaded pin and removing a side coverpin. This is demonstrated in the video below.
Savage Impulse Models: Predator, Big Game, Hog Hunter
Savage currently offers three Impulse models, all equipped with Savage AccuStock, Accufit, and AccuTrigger. All Impulse actions feature a Picatinny rail on top along with a central safety. Because the bolt handle can be placed on either side, all Impulse rifles are essentially ambidextrous — good for lefties as well as righties. There are both short-action and long-action versions of the Impulse rifle. Seven different chamberings are offered, from .22-250 to .300 Win Magnum.
Here’s an extreme range of .224-Caliber bullets: 35gr varmint bullet and 90gr match bullet. Of course, along with bullet length/design, you need to consider MV when choosing twist rate.
Even with the same caliber (and same bullet weight), different bullet types may require different rates of spin to stabilize properly. The bullet’s initial spin rate (RPM) is a function of the bullet’s muzzle velocity and the spin imparted by the rifling in the barrel. You want to ensure your bullet is stable throughout flight. It is better to have too much spin than too little, according to many ballistics experts, including Bryan Litz of Applied Ballistics. The late Glen Zediker provided some basic tips concerning barrel twist rates and bullet stability. These come from his popular book, Top Grade Ammo.
Choosing the Right Twist Rate
I’d always rather have a twist too fast than not fast enough. Generally… I recommend erring toward the faster side of a barrel twist decision. 1:8″ twist is becoming a “new standard” for .224 caliber, replacing 1:9″ in the process. The reason is that new bullets tend to be bigger rather than smaller. Don’t let a too-slow twist limit your capacity to [achieve] better long-range performance.
Base your next barrel twist rate decision on the longest, heaviest bullets you choose to use, and at the same time realize that the rate you choose will in turn limit your bullet choices. If the longest, heaviest bullet you’ll shoot (ever) is a 55-grain .224, then there’s honestly no reason not to use a 1:12″. Likewise true for .308-caliber: unless you’re going over 200-grain bullet weight, a 1:10″ will perform perfectly well.
Bullet Length is More Critical than Weight
Bullet length, not weight, [primarily] determines how much rotation is necessary for stability. Twist rate suggestions, though, are most usually given with respect to bullet weight, but that’s more of a generality for convenience’s sake, I think. The reason is that with the introduction of higher-ballistic-coefficient bullet designs, which are longer than conventional forms, it is easily possible to have two same-weight bullets that won’t both stabilize from the same twist rate.
Evidence of Instability
The tell-tale for an unstable (wobbling or tumbling) bullet is an oblong hole in the target paper, a “keyhole,” and that means the bullet contacted the target at some attitude other than nose-first.
Increasing Barrel Length Can Deliver More Velocity, But That May Still Not Provide Enough Stability if the Twist Rate Is Too Slow
Bullet speed AND barrel length have an influence on bullet stability, and a higher muzzle velocity through a longer tube will bring on more effect from the twist, but it’s a little too edgy if a particular bullet stabilizes only when running maximum velocity.
My failed 90-grain .224 experiment is a good example of that: I could get them asleep in a 1:7″ twist, 25-inch barrel, which was chambered in .22 PPC, but could not get them stabilized in a 20-inch 1:7″ .223 Rem. The answer always is to get a twist that’s correct.
These tips were adapted from Glen’s newest book, Top-Grade Ammo, available at Midsouth. To learn more about this book and other Zediker titles, and read a host of downloadable articles, visit ZedikerPublishing.com.
We really like rimfire revolvers here at AccurateShooter.com. A good .22 LR wheelgun will be fun, accurate, reliable, and inexpensive to shoot. Rimfire revolvers also offer much less recoil and noise than a centerfire pistol. Your Editor has owned a Smith & Wesson Model 617 for over 15 years. That old S&W has probably fired more rounds than all the other handguns I own, combined — yet it still runs flawlessly and still delivers excellent accuracy.
Ruger offers a big stainless .22 LR wheelgun to compete with the S&W Model 617. This rimfire wheelgun is based on Ruger’s trusted GP100 platform. The Ruger GP100® chambered in .22 LR looks to be a good firearm — strong, versatile, and intelligently engineered. In the video above, the late Jeff Quinn of Gunblast.com tests the Ruger revolver and gives it high marks: “It’s a good hefty gun [42.6 oz.], but not overly large or heavy for a good trail gun. It’s just a really nice, well-made revolver from Sturm Ruger.” The gun Jeff tested had a 3.7-lb SA trigger pull and a 9.8-lb DA pull.
The .22 LR GP100 features a windage and elevation adjustable rear sight with a white outline, a light-gathering fiber optic front sight and the original full-size GP100 rubber grips with hardwood inserts. With all stainless-steel construction, the rimfire GP100 is easy to maintain. Just keep the cylinder chambers and barrel clean and this gun should run forever.
This Review of the .22 LR GP100 by Hickok45 has over 6.6 Million Views:
The 10-shot Ruger GP100 in .22 LR is a durable, well-engineered wheelgun. Ruger’s engineers optimized the GP100’s innards to deliver a smooth double-action pull: “The new GP100 has an improved fire-control system that uses a lighter mainspring than previous Ruger double-action .22 LR revolvers. A number of changes have been made to the GP100 to handle .22. One of which is we’ve done a lot of development on the firing pin location and geometries so that we’re able to put a lighter trigger pull in this gun than you would find in other .22 LR [handguns]. We’ve got a half-underlug barrel, and it’s a smaller diameter so the gun balances real well. We’ve added a narrow-spur hammer and a smooth trigger for comfortable shooting. This is a really comfortable gun to shoot”.
This video from Ruger explains the basic features of the .22 LR GP 100:
With anticipated single-party control of the White House, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House of Representatives, there could be dark days ahead for the Second Amendment and the rights of firearms owners. Joe Biden has declared his desire to ban modern sporting rifles and Kamala Harris has supported the use of Executive Orders to carry out new gun bans and restrictions. This is worrisome to say the least.
The prospect of aggressive, partisan attacks on firearms rights has created concern among gun owners across the nation. We stand now, potentially, on the verge of the most extreme era of anti-gun law-making in this nation’s history. How will America cope with those challenges? That is the focus of Tom Gresham’s Gun Talk Radio Show tomorrow, Sunday, January 10, 2021.
The 2020 Election cycle and the threat to gun rights from the Biden/Harris administration is the focus this week of Tom Gresham’s Gun Talk® Radio. This week, Tom talks with The Outdoor Wire Digital Network’s Jim Shepherd about the Georgia run-off election results, the storming of the Capitol, and gun control issues we may face in 2021. Also Dave Spaulding of Handgun Combatives talks about pistol and self-defense training. Tune in for all this Sunday, 1/10/21 on Gun Talk, the original nationally-syndicated radio talk show about guns and the shooting sports.
This broadcast airs Sunday, January 10, 2021 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM Eastern time on radio stations nationwide. Past podcasts can be heard online via the GunTalk Podcast Center and Apple iTunes. The Gun Talk podcast archive has many great shows. Click the link below to hear a recent show (1/3/2021) about mainstream media and financial industry bias against firearms and shooting sports enterprises.
Media and Bank Bias against Guns Podcast from 1/3/2021:
Tom Gresham’s Gun Talk Radio show airs live on Sundays from 2PM-5PM Eastern, and runs on more than 270 stations. Listen on a radio station near you or via LIVE Streaming. All Gun Talk shows can also be downloaded as podcasts through the GunTalk Podcast Center or Apple iTunes. Gun Talk is also available on YouTube and GunTalk.com.
Here’s a handy invention by Forum member RayJay from Georgia. It’s a simple wire clip that will hold the lid of your plastic ammo box fully open during use. RayJay explains: “Everybody probably uses the cheap plastic cartridge cases. The only problem I have with them is the lid is always in the way and sometimes when trying to open the lid farther the cartridge box tips and you can dump out the cases. I did some cogitating and came up with these .061″ music wire clips. They work great and the unexpected benefit is that the cases are more stable while sitting at the bench.”
RayJay adds: “The round wire is ideal because it still allows a cartridge to fit in the hole where the clip is placed. Now all I need to do is make another 15 or 20 so I can have one in every case I own.”
Another Answer — Buy Better Ammo Boxes with Mechanical Hinges
Many common types of ammo boxes do have this annoying issue of the lids resisting opening and not staying fully open. However, some of the better boxes from Plano and MTM now have a proper hinge, so that the lid lies flat. Even the basic MTM P50 boxes now have a Mechanical Hinge so the lid opens all the way and lies flat when open (see video at 00:48):
Vortex just released its new products for 2021. The stand-outs include new Rangefinding Binoculars with Applied Ballistics software, and four new tripods that should please hunters and tactical shooters. This 2021 lineup also includes two new prism scopes for the Spitfire line, and a solar-operated SPARC red dot sight. All of these new Vortex optics and tripods are available for pre-order now at EuroOptic.com.
Fury 5000 HD RangeFinder Binoculars with In-Display Ballistics
Vortex Fury HD 5000 AB Laser Rangefinding Binoculars
We’re excited to see Vortex’s new Bluetooth-compatible Fury HD 5000 AB rangefinding binoculars. The new 10x42mm Fury HD 5000 AB employs Applied Ballistics software to provide Ballistics solutions visible in the Binoculars. That’s an impressive feature. Vortex brags that the new Fury 5000 HD AB can “solve long-distance shooting with the push of a button”. These binoculars feature in-display wind/drop ballistics solutions, wind bearing (angle) capture mode, plus built-in environmental sensors.
In-display wind/drop solutions via integrated Applied Ballistics® Elite Solver
Pairs with Kestrel® wind meters and Applied Ballistics® Garmin® devices
Customize ballistic profiles via the Fury HD App
Fury HD 5000 AB, $1,999.99 MSRP ($1499.99 at EuroOptic)
New Vortex Tripods — Three Carbon Options
For 2021, Vortex offers four new tripods, three with low-mass, carbon-fiber legs. Prices start at $299.99 MSRP for the compact High Country II. The tall Ridgeview tripod ($649.99 MSRP) goes to full standing height. The top-of-the-line Radian Tripods are great for competition, providing a strong base for heavy PRS rigs. In addition there are a variety of tripod heads and accessories for these tripods.
Radian Carbon Tripod (Premium strength with versatile Ball or Leveling Head)
— Radian Carbon with Ball Head Tripod Kit — $1,199.99 MSRP ($899.99 at EuroOptic)
— Radian Carbon with Leveling Head Tripod Kit– $1,099.99 MSRP ($799.99 at EuroOptic”)
Ridgeview Carbon Tripod (extended height for standing) — $649.99 MSRP ($499.99 at EuroOptic)
Summit Carbon II Tripod (very compact, lightweight) — $549.99 MSRP ($399.99 at EuroOptic)
The SPARC SOLAR harnesses the sun for up to 150,000 hours of battery life, powering a reliable tactical machine that’s always ready.
Auto D-TEC Technology automatically switches from solar to battery power
Motion activation capable
Daylight bright 2 MOA red dot
$399.99 MSRP – SPARC SOLAR Red Dot
Spitfire™ HD Gen II 3x and 5x Prism Scopes.
Redesigned HD optical system cuts inches and ounces off the system.
HD Optical system
Ultra-compact and lightweight design
Purpose built AR-BDC4 reticle for 5.56 cartridges
$549.99 MSRP – Spitfire HD Gen II 3x Prism Scope
$649.99 MSRP – Spitfire HD Gen II 5x Prism Scope
Thunder Beast Arms suppressors from the SilencerShop.
A bill has been introduced in the U.S. Congress to make it much easier to buy a suppressor (aka silencer). Well it’s about time! While other countries permit (and even encourage) suppressor use with minimal regulation, the USA still requires local police involvement, lengthy waits, onerous background checks, fingerprints, and a $200 tax stamp just to own a metal cannister that reduces the noise of a firearm. That doesn’t make sense. At last some politicians are working to change those restrictions.
The Hearing Protection Act (H.R. 95)
U.S. Congressman Jeff Duncan of South Carolina has introduced H.R. 95, The Hearing Protection Act. This bill would remove firearm suppressors from the 1934 National Firearms Act (NFA), eliminating onerous and duplicitous background checks. Instead, suppressors would be regulated under the 1968 Gun Control Act (GCA) with the same background check that is required for a retail firearm purchase.
It makes sense to change the law. Currently it is a major, costly burden to obtain a suppressor even though firearm suppressors are legal to own and possess in 42 states. Some countries actually REQUIRE the use of a suppressor when hunting or recreationally shooting. In Europe, suppressors are widely available and can often be purchased in a hardware store without a background check. So why is America so different? Because we have stupid, antiquated laws that do not recognize the many benefits of suppressors.
How to Obtain a Suppressor Currently — Too Many Hurdles and “Red Tape”
Under current law, an individual purchasing a suppressor must locate a retailer that is regulated as a NFA Class III dealer, complete a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Form 4 with the model and serial number of the suppressor, and obtain two passport photos and fingerprint cards from a local police department. The local chief law enforcement official must receive a completed copy of the application. Then the form, photographs and fingerprints must be sent to ATF along with a check to pay the $200 tax. Currently, it takes ATF about nine months to process the paperwork. Then, the customer can obtain the suppressor from the NFA Class III dealer upon an additional background check through FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
Congressman Duncan’s legislation would eliminate those requirements and make suppressors available with the same paperwork, record-keeping, and background check procedure that is currently required for purchasing a firearm. So if you can buy a rifle, shotgun or pistol now, you could also buy a suppressor, with no extra fees, licenses, tax stamps, fingerprinting, or police approvals.
“This legislation removes barriers to owning an accessory that makes recreational shooting and hunting safer, more accurate and allows shooting ranges to be better neighbors”, said Lawrence Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “Firearm suppressors are a safety device designed to make recreational shooting safer. They were originally listed under the NFA over concerns of poaching during the Great Depression, but that never bore out. Even today, suppressors are exceedingly rarely used in crime.”
Firearm suppressors reduce the report of a firearm from a level typically about 165 decibels — roughly equal to that of a jet taking off. Sound levels that high can cause instant and permanent hearing loss. A quality suppressor can reduce the sound by 30 to 35 decibels. That suppressed noise level is still loud, but will not permanently damage hearing. Suppressors work similarly to a car’s muffler, redirecting exhaust gases. The suppressor/silencer was first patented more than 100 years ago by Hiram Maxim.
Increasing Barrel Length Can Deliver More Velocity, But That May Still Not Provide Enough Stability if the Twist Rate Is Too Slow
Vortex Fury HD 5000 AB Laser Rangefinding Binoculars
