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January 9th, 2011

New Rimfire Bolt-Guns from Marlin (.22 LR, .22 WMR, 17 HMR)

Marlin will produce a new line of affordable bolt-action, rimfire rifles in 2011. Dubbed the Marlin XT Series, the new rifles will be offered in 17 HMR, .22 LR, and .22 WMR, all with a variety of barrel and stock configurations. We’re pleased to see the XT line fitted with Marlin’s signature Micro-Groove barrels which have proven quite accurate in Marlin’s rimfire lever guns. Sorry, no prices have yet been announced, but XT rifles will be priced competitively in the “affordable” market segment.

Marlin XT .22 LR

The good news is that Marlin has fitted a new adjustable XT Pro-Fire® trigger system in the entire XT line. This trigger is user-adjustable from 3 pounds to 6 pounds pull weight, with “virtually zero creep” according to Marlin. A 3-lb pull is acceptable on this kind of rifle. The bad news, in our opinion, is that Marlin has fitted its triggers with a Glock-style “trigger safety” insert that must be pulled back before the trigger can be engaged. The “trigger safety” may please Marlin’s lawyers, but we have found such devices annoying at best, and unreliable at worst. In fairness to Marlin, perhaps it has executed the trigger-shoe safety system in a better fashion than some other manufacturers. Let’s hope so.

Marlin XT Trigger

17 HMR Version Available with Laminated Thumbhole Stock
Among the many XT offerings, we think the Model XT-17VLB may be the best option for serious varminters. Chambered for the accurate, 2500 fps 17 HMR cartridge, this rifle features a handsome, ergonomic thumbhole stock. The added effective range of the 17 HMR gives the varminter more options in the field. As with other XTs, the receiver comes drilled, tapped and grooved for mounting scopes.

Marlin XT 17 HMR

Two New XT Youth Models
Among the new XT offering are two new XT Youth Rifles — the first Marlin rifles designed specifically for younger shooters. The XT Youth rifles feature a shorter length of pull, shorter trigger reach, smaller pistol grip and a raised comb, making it easier for young shooters to maintain the proper sight picture.

Marlin XT Youth Rifle

Permalink Hunting/Varminting, New Product 3 Comments »
January 19th, 2010

NEW Savage m93 17 HMR Varmint/Tactical Rimfire

Savage Arms was well represented today at the SHOT Show’s “Media Day as the Range.” We saw and shot several new offerings from Savage (including a tactical rifle in 338 Lapua Magnum and a hunting weight 6.5-284). We’ll cover these centerfire Savages later this week. One of the new Savages we really liked was the model 93R17 TR, a slick little 17 HMR. It looks and feels like a full-sized centerfire tactical bolt-gun, it comes with an excellent stock and nice trigger, and it is both affordable and very accurate. (NOTE:v Savage is also offering 22LRs rimfires in the same stock, the MK II TR and TRR.)

This rifle features an all-new, texture-painted wood stock with a very sound “tactical” design. It is well thought out, with good ergonomics, and offers options and design details that most rimfires do not. The stock features a moderate beavertail fore-end, a fairly vertical grip and a shallow butt-hook at the rear for support using the non-shooting hand. The black textured paint is very similar to the black painted finish on McMillan stocks (notice the texture in the photo).

The “look and feel” of the model 93 TR is similar to the popular Rem 700 PSS, and that’s good news for tactical shooters. With the new m93 TR, you feel like you are shooting a full-size tactical rifle. It feels solid and comfortable. And this rifle features with an optional factory-installed picatinny rail — a very nice feature on a rimfire rifle. You can easily move your scope back and forth between the model 93 and a Picatinny equipped centerfire bolt-gun. The model 93 should prove very popular with shooters who want to train with an economical rimfire that has very similar ergonomics to a centerfire bolt gun. For training duties only you may prefer the 22LR version. But the 17 HMR would be our pick for a “working” varmint rifle.

With CCI hollowpoint 17 HMR ammo, the m93 proved very accurate — we hit everything we shot at with ease, even in rainy, gusty conditions. Targets were mostly clay pigeons at 50-100 yards; we could break a clay, then easily hit the smaller pieces. Clearly this gun can be a very effective short-range varminter.

Overall, we really liked the feel and ergonomics of this rifle. It is a good choice for those seeking a rimfire trainer that handles like an “adult-sized” centerfire rifle. We are confident this will make a great varmint rifle as well as a economical tactical trainer. Your Editor expects that this rifle will be a hot seller for Savage.

Savage m93 17 TR Specs: Cal 17HMR; barrel 21″; overall-length 40″; weight about 7.5 lbs.

Permalink Gear Review, Hunting/Varminting, New Product 1 Comment »
August 21st, 2009

Remington Recalls 17 HMR Rifle and Ammunition

Here is an important notice for anyone who owns a Remington model 597 rifle chambered in 17 HMR or who shoots Remington 17 HMR ammunition. Remington has learned that safety problems can arise when its 17 HMR ammo is used in semi-autos, including the model 597-17 HMR. Accordingly, Remington is recalling both the ammo and the gun.

The Firearm Blog reports: “Problems with the Model 597 and 17 HMR [are] not uncommon. Gun manufacturers seem to have a very hard time in trying to convert .22 blow-back actions to the more powerful .22 Magnum and … the 17 HMR.” Prompted by safety concerns, Remington has instituted a buy-back program for its model 597 17 HMR rifle. Remington will also provide $10.00 coupons for each box of Rem-brand 17 HMR ammo returned by customers. This ammo must be returned directly to Remington, not to the dealer where it was purchased. Remington’s Safety Recall Notice reads as follows:

DO NOT USE REMINGTON 17 HMR AMMUNITION IN SEMI-AUTOMATIC FIREARMS.

DO NOT USE THE REMINGTON MODEL 597 HMR SEMI-AUTOMATIC RIFLE.

Remington has been notified by its supplier of 17 HMR ammunition that 17 HMR ammunition is not suitable for use in semi-automatic firearms. The use of this ammunition in a semi-automatic firearm could result in property damage or serious personal injury.

If you have a semi-automatic firearm chambered for 17 HMR ammunition, immediately discontinue use of Remington 17 HMR ammunition. If you have any Remington 17 HMR ammunition that you wish to return to Remington contact the Remington Consumer Service number below.

Do not return the ammunition to the dealer. Remington will provide you with a $10.00 coupon for each complete box of 50 rounds of Remington branded 17 HMR ammunition you return to Remington. This coupon will be good for the purchase of any Remington ammunition at your local dealer.

In light of the ammunition manufacturer’s notice, it is very important that you immediately stop using your Remington Model 597 17 HMR semi-automatic rifle. If you own a Remington Model 597 17 HMR semi-automatic rifle and wish to return it to Remington please contact the below Remington Consumer Service Number. In return for your Remington Model 597 17 HMR synthetic stock semi-automatic rifle, Remington will provide you a coupon valued at $200.00 good for the purchase of a replacement Remington firearm. If you have a laminate stock Remington Model 597 17 HMR semi-automatic rifle, Remington will provide you a coupon valued at $250.00 good for the purchase of a replacement Remington firearm. Remington will also reimburse you for the actual postage to return your Model 597 17 HMR semi-automatic rifle to Remington.

Please allow up to 6 weeks after Remington receives your Model 597 17 HMR semi-automatic rifle or your Remington branded 17 HMR ammunition for the appropriate coupons to arrive. Instructions for redemption of the coupons will be contained on the coupon.

For any consumer questions or instructions on how to return of your Model 597 17 HMR semi-automatic rifle or your Remington branded 17 HMR ammunition, please contact the Remington Consumer Service Department at 1-800-243-9700, Prompt #3.
Permalink News 26 Comments »