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April 9th, 2010
We know many of our readers have a Ruger 10/22 for varminting, fun shooting, or rimfire tactical competition. Here’s an affordable new product for the Ruger 10/22 that will fit the highly-accurate Volquartsen rimfires as well. The new TriMag™ magazine coupler secures three standard, 10-round 10/22 rotary magazines together, giving you extra ammo capacity with full factory reliability. Yes there are long, banana-style magazines for the 10/22, but a TriMag 3-mag assembly won’t interfere with prone or off-hand shooting. And when varminting, you won’t have to set your tripod super-high to provide clearance for a long single-column magazine. This is ideal for rimfire tactical matches.
Designed and crafted by Alangator of Hayden Lake, Idaho, the $9.95 patent-pending TriMag™ is a clever, U.S.-made invention that any 10/22 or Volquartsen owner can afford. Puchasers give the TriMag™ high marks. One Cabela’s customer writes: “One of the best 10/22 products ever! As everyone who owns a 10/22 knows, aftermarket or non-factory extended capacity 10/22 magazines perform terribly. This product resolves that issue because you have 30 rounds available using your perfectly-functioning factory magazines.” Another buyer adds: “IMO one of the best accessories for the 10/22… one of those things that you can’t go without. An added bonus is that when you set your gun on a bench it holds it up right.”
Where to Buy
The TriMag™ is currently offered by Cabela’s, Volquartsen, and other vendors starting at $9.95. Volquartsen says the device fits all Volquartsen .22 LR semi-auto rifles.
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February 1st, 2010
| If you couldn’t attend SHOT Show 2010, don’t despair. You can now download complete digital editions of the official SHOT Show Daily Magazines provided to SHOT Show attendees and exhibitors.
Each of the four (4) issues contains a major product review, and many interesting shorter features. The Day 1 Daily features new Rifles for 2010, while the Day 2 Daily features new Optics and Ammo. New Knives are featured in the Day 3 Daily. In the Day 4 Report, there is a good summary of new Airgun offerings.
Even if you’re not interested in the latest retail trends it’s worth downloading all four issues, because there are a number of features relating to club operations and range management. In addition, you’ll find many shorter items of interest to rifle shooters. As well there are handy directories of manufacturers and distributors. |
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January 13th, 2010
Blaser, popular German builder of deluxe straight-pull hunting rifles, has released a new rifle with a unique, to say the least, detachable magazine system. The magazine is integrated with what would be the trigger guard/bottom metal on a conventional rifle. Pull out the R8’s magazine and the trigger guard and trigger shoe come with it — it’s all one unit.
This short video illustrates how the unique magazine/trigger works:
Presumably, combining the external trigger linkage with the magazine offers a safety advantage. This way, if you have a round still in the chamber, even after removing the magazine, you can’t pull the trigger to fire the round. Blaser states: “When removing the magazine, the R8 automatically de-cocks and once the magazine is removed, the cocking slide cannot engage anymore. Today, this is a very important safety feature securing the rifle against misuse by unauthorized persons.” It sounds like a good idea, but we wonder how practical this system is. Murphy’s law dictates that some hunter will travel half way around the world for his “hunt of a lifetime” only to find he forgot his magazine and now he has a rifle without a trigger. Most conventional rifles with detachable magazines can still be used as single shots even without the magazine.
The one real advantage we see to the R8 design is that the whole action/receiver is extremely short, allowing a more compact rifle length. Blaser claims: “The design of the R8 magazine above the trigger allows the overall length of the rifle to be 9 cm (3.5 inches) shorter than conventional bolt action rifles.” Another nice thing about the R8 is that the trigger pull is crisp and light right out of the box. The Blaser R8’s trigger breaks at just 1 5/8 pounds, and lock time is extremely fast. And the R8’s cocking mechanism is something new. According to Blaser, the R8 does not rely on a spring to reset the trigger after firing. Instead it uses a “desmodromic trigger mechanism” for improved reliability in wet or dusty conditions. (For those of you who don’t ride desmo-valved Ducati motorcycles, a “desmodromic” design typically employs a rocker arm and cam lobe to achieve reset.)
All the interesting new features of the Blaser R8 are illustrated on Blaser’s German website via an interactive Product Gallery. CLICK HERE to view the Product Gallery.
Starting in February 2010, the Blaser R8 will be available from Blaser dealers in a variety of models: Professional, Jaeger, Luxus, Attaché, Baronesse, Safari PH and Safari Luxus. In addition a custom-engraved R8 Custom class model will be offered. For more information, visit Blaser-usa.com.
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January 9th, 2010
 If you’re planning to attend SHOT Show, or if you just want a preview of the firearm industry’s largest trade show, you’ll want to read the January 2010 edition of Shooting Industry Magazine. For a limited time, an electronic “e-zine” version of the January issue is available for FREE online. This digital edition contains an extensive SHOT Show Special Report, along with a complete SHOT Exhibitors Guide (pp. 72-87) listing ALL participating companies with their booth numbers.
Big 2010 New Product Guide
The entire 116-page issue is now available on the web, in a searchable, flip-page format like a print magazine. This lets you see the large-format, full-page 2010 product introductions from companies such as Hornady (p. 11), SigSauer (p. 23), and Savage (p. 29). Along with these vendor-produced ads, you’ll find an 18-page 2010 New Product Guide featuring new firearams, reloading products, and shooting accessories.
New Hornady Electronic Powder Dispenser and New RCBS Bipod
We found a couple surprises in Shooting Industry’s January New Products report. First, Hornady is bringing out a NEW Digital Powder Scale/Dispenser to compete with the RCBS Chargemaster. Hornady calls its new red dispenser the Lock-N-Load Auto Charge. Hornady claims its new Auto Charge “measures weights to 0.1 grains and has a scale capacity of 1,000 grains.” The unit features automatic and manual dispense options, trickle function, three (3) speed settings, and “over-charge” protection. Hmmm, this is the first powder dispenser to included selectable dispensing speeds — that’s potentially a very useful feature. The brand new Auto Charge is featured as item 050068 on Hornady’s website with a $317.91 MSRP. MidwayUSA says it should have the AutoCharge in next week (1/15/2010), with a retail price of $239.99. If that price holds, the red Auto Charge will cost about $40-$60 less than the green RCBS ChargeMaster.
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RCBS also revealed an interesting new product — a new rail-mounted bipod. The new RCBS “Precision Target Bi-pod” features quick-adjust telescoping legs (7-10″), 25 degress of cant adjustment, large wedge-shaped plastic feet, and “tool-free mounting” to Picatinny rails. According to RCBS, the new bipod is constructed of 6061 T6 Aluminum with Type III Hard Coat Anodizing. RCBS says this new bipod is “suitable for AR-style weapons and can be adapted. to non-Picatinny-style weapons as well. For more info on this new bipod, check our this RCBS 2010 Catalog Update (PDF file). MSRP for the new bipod is a hefty $219.95. Message to RCBS: A Harris Swivel works darn well at half the price!
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December 10th, 2009
The NRA is currently offering FREE one-year memberships for all active-duty U.S. Armed Services personnel. The free NRA membership includes all regular membership benefits, including a subscription to one of three NRA publications: America’s First Freedom, American Hunter, or American Rifleman. This offer applies to personnel currently serving with the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, or Coast Guard. To get the free membership, active-duty servicemen and women should visit the NRA Website and provide contact info and choice of publication.
CLICK HERE for FREE NRA Membership for Armed Services Personnel.
 
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November 25th, 2009
Writer David Fortier recently conducted an extensive torture test of AR15 magazines — both polymer and metal-bodied. Fortier’s test results, some of which may surprise you, are found in David’s article “Feeding Your AR”, published in the latest (November 20, 2009) edition of Shotgun News.
 Fortier tested a variety of popular AR mags including PMAG, Tango Down, CProducts SS, Brownells, Bravo Company, Lancer, MSAR, and Tapco. The “torture tests” included dropping the mags on their feedlips from 8.5 feet, driving a full-size army truck over the mags, jumping on the mags, and deliberately tilting the followers. The mags were also tested for fit and function with live-fire shooting. Results were a little surprising. When dropped from 8.5 feet on their feedlipgs, the Tango Down, PMAG and TAPCO all split down the spine. CLICK HERE for Test Photos.
The Lancer L5 model seemed to be the toughest magazine tested, and Fortier noted how the “old-fashioned” aluminum mags did surprisingly well. Lancer L5 magazines have “see-through” translucent polymer bodies (similar to Sig 55X series magazines). In addition, the Lancers feature teflon-coated, hardened steel feed lips, and a rubber-coated “bumper bottom”. Lancer L5s are offered in 20-round, 30-round, and 48-round capacities. The 48-rounder employs a special coupler to provide super-high capacity for 3-gun comps. Below is a Lancer-produced video showing the L5s being dropped from 5 feet (on both base and feed lips) without injury.
Fortier, posting on AR15.com concluded: “PMAGs are very good, but not as indestructible as some think. Aluminum mags are not as bad as some think. You should consider checking out Lancer’s mag…they surprised me. If MSARs mag dropped free they would be an interesting option. Dropping mags onto cement is A LOT tougher on them then running them over with a SUV…. but all those videos from the various mag companies sure did work wonders for advertising didn’t they?”
 Old Metal 20s — Still Best Match Mag?
Editor’s NOTE: I won’t speculate as to the best 30-round magazine for field and military use. But in all the ARs I’ve owned, and most of the AR target rifles I’ve shot, the best magazine for Bench use and High Power Match use was the old 20-round straight aluminum mag with silver-colored metal follower. These 45-year-old mags seem to work perfectly, even when the gray powder-coat has worn off in spots revealing a dull brass color underneath. The silver metal follower still works better than most of the new “no-tip” polymer followers.
There may be better 20-round polymer mags today, but match shooters won’t go wrong with the original metal-bodied straight 20s with metal followers. I’ve bought, sold, and traded many AR mags over the years — and my old GI metal 20s are the only ones I’ll never sell.
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October 19th, 2009
 We received this news from Chip Lohman, Managing Editor of Shooting Sports USA.
Chip tells us that: “Beginning in January, 2010, NRA Tournament News will be distributed as a bi-monthly newsletter of NRA-sanctioned tournament schedules and local match results from the free online edition of Shooting Sports USA magazine. Subscribers who prefer delivery [via] their traditional mailbox may purchase an annual subscription for $15. To order, please call 877-NRA-2000 or send a check (made payable to NRA) to: NRA Tournament News, c/o National Rifle Association of America, PO Box 420674, Palm Coast, FL 32164-0674 and provide the following subscription code: M9KTNEWS.”
Chris adds: “We’re excited about this, but hard-pressed to get the word out to those who need it the most -– those without a computer. Please ask readers to pass the word.”
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July 10th, 2009
 To receive the Varmint Hunter Magazine you normally have to join the Varmint Hunters Association (VHA) at a cost of $30.00 per year. A VHA membership is worth the money, but it’s always nice to see what you’ll be getting first. Right now you can sample the entire 212-page July Varmint Hunter Magazine for FREE. The current issue features shooting news, plus dozens of articles and gear reviews, illustrated with many photos and data tables. The VHA offers an online version of its July issue in a magazine-style format, allowing you to flip the pages and navigate from an index page to the article you prefer. CLICK HERE to load the July issue of Varmint Hunter Magazine.
Among the recommended articles in the July issue are:
• The 22-6.8 SPC Wildcat Explained, (p. 13)
• Medical and Safety Concerns for Varmint Hunters, (p. 49)
• Big Shooter Portable Bench Review, (p. 62)
• Ballistic Reticles for Long-Range Shooting, (p. 65)
• Don’t Get Lost — Using Topo Maps, Compass, and GPS, (p. 94)
• Comparison of the .204 Ruger and the .20 Tactical, (p. 144)
• Switch-Barrel Remington 700, “Savage Style”, (p. 168)
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June 6th, 2009
Vince Bottomley and his team of writers and photographers have released the June issue of Target Shooter online magazine. This third monthly edition is the most impressive so far. You’ll find a full 118 pages of articles, match reports, gear reviews, and shooting info. There are many interesting feature articles in this June issue, including a great story by Laurie Holland on Savage precision rifles.
There is also Vince Bottomley’s regular column featuring updates on Benchrest events and gear. Vince provided a “spy shot” of the new rear bag from Sebastian Lambang (maker of SEB coaxial rests). In this design the “ears” are integrated into the main bag body. As Vince notes: “Seb has always been an [innovative] thinker.” The rear bag design is “radical” compared to most current designs, but it has an elegant simplicity that we like.
Target Shooter is designed like a conventional magazine, with large, half-page and full-page ads. Believe it or not, we actually like perusing through the ads, because they illustrate many cool products not commonly seen in North America, such as RPA Precision rifles. It’s fascinating to see the high-end products marketed in the UK but not sold on the other side of the Atlantic.
We think the Target Shooter staff is doing a great job with their new magazine and we strongly recommend you log on to www.Targetshooter.co.uk and check it out. You can either browse Target Shooter online in a flip-page format, or download each monthly edition as a .zip archive for later reading.
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January 23rd, 2009
We recently talked with Dave Kiff of Pacific Tool & Gauge (PT&G). Dave told us he has a number of new time-saving tools for gunsmiths, plus new bottom metal and bolt components for owners of Remington rifles..
Specialized Gunsmithing Tools in Stock
At the show, dave noted that PT&G currently has a variety of specialized cutting tools in inventory. Dave says the big new is is “Gen 2 Reamer”. This unique $287.00 tool will true the receiver face AND the internal lug recesses simultaneously. That will save a gunsmith time and effort. Dave offers other specialized cutters including:
– Threaded Receiver Mandrel for external engraving, outside truing etc. — $189.00
– Oversize Thread Reamer — $189.00
– Diamond-coated tap for Rem 700 – $189.00
 New Rem 700 Upgrades
Dave Kiff has collaborated with parts designer Kevin Wyatt to introduce some exciting new hardware for precision tactical, match, and hunting rifles. The new PT&G/Wyatt products will include custom bottom metal for the Rem 700, and a Win m70 claw-extractor modification for the Remington 700.
Initially, the Rem 700 bottom metal will be crafted from aluminum (steel versions will be offered soon). The bottom metal will use Wyatt’s detachable box magazines. The bottom metal fits a standard Remington footprint (though minor modifications may have to be made to the receiver). Both aluminum and solid steel versions should be available by late spring for $205.00 with one magazine, and extra mags are $54.00.
The Claw Extractor mod for the Rem 700 is a robust design that avoids some of the problems associated with a SAKO-style extractor in a Rem bolt. The Claw Extractor allows a “normal” ejection angle so you won’t bounce your brass off the windage knob of the scope. No receiver alterations are required, and Wyatt is working to provide controlled feeding in the final production version. The new Claw Extractor product, according to Dave Kiff, should be available by the end of 2009. Installation will require a gunsmith — this is not a do-it-yourself mod.
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January 17th, 2009
 The latest SHOT Daily is now available for FREE online. The latest edition, dated Jan. 17th, covers SHOT Show events, and includes gear and hardware reviews. This issue spotlights knives, camouflage clothing, and hunting accessories. The issue also has a feature story about the Brownell’s Gun Industry Career Fair. Click the link below to download the Jan. 17th SHOT Daily as an Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) file.
CLICK HERE to Download Jan. 17th SHOT Daily
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