SHOT Show 2018 served as quite the stage for a lot of innovative and refined shooting sports and outdoor items in Las Vegas. While there were numerous manufacturers that left an impression on me — new cartridges, better optics, better bullets, more rugged and lighter footwear, and countless other creative and innovative ideas — I was asked to narrow it down to my top five things for 2018. The good news is I had a lot of superb choices.

SHOT Show 2018: Savage 110 with AccuFit

The biggest news to me at SHOT Show 2018 is based on the fact that I’m a small guy. Most of my friends are taller and wider than me. And until now, most rifle manufacturers — outside the custom builder realm — didn’t make a rifle that could properly and effectively fit us all. The Savage 110 with AccuFit system changes that, and not just for me, but for anyone.

Spend any time with a poorly fitted rifle and it won’t take long for you to realize how uncomfortable and, ultimately, ineffective that firearm and you are. Improperly fitting rifles kick harder, hurt your neck, hurt your accuracy, slow you down, cause poor shooting techniques, minimize the effectiveness of your optic — the list goes on and on.

The AccuFit system comes with five different comb risers to give shooters the proper cheek weld. It also has four different lengths of pull adjustments to give shooters the proper fit long ways.

So, despite there being lots of innovative new firearms at SHOT Show 2018, the most impressive and important new thing I saw was the Savage 110 rifle with the AccuFit stock system. Any firearm you can get to properly fit you instantly becomes a better firearm before you ever pull the trigger.

MSRP starts at $594, depending on the Savage 110 model.

SHOT Show 2018: Steyr Scout RFR

Speaking of versatility, another top-five item new from SHOT Show 2018 was Steyr’s Scout RFR rifle, which technically debuted a few months earlier, but still stood out. Why? It’s because the scout rifle platform is arguably one of the most versatile rifle platforms any gun owner can have. On Steyr’s Scout RFR this is especially true when it comes to optics because the rifle enables its users so much flexibility.

Code-named “Cub Scout” during its development, the Scout RFR features the same stock lines as the original Steyr Scout, as designed by Steyr engineers with the continual input of scout-rifle-concept visionary, Col. Jeff Cooper.

The Scout RFR provides a 30-slot Picatinny rail along its barrel for forward-mounted optics. An integrated 3/8-inch dovetail base also runs the full length of the receiver’s topside, and a set of Weaver bases are also included for conventional scope mounting.

While that’s all pretty impressive, it’s not top five impressive. That honor was earned when Steyr decided to chamber Swiss-Army style rifle in the ultra-practical rimfires — .17 HMR, .22 LR, and .22 WMR. This opens up a world of affordable, low recoil, any age, ammunition to gun owners.

The Scout RFR features a 20-inch heavy-barrel configuration for maximum accuracy. Both the .17 HMR and .22 LR barrels are 1/2-20 UNF threaded for the user’s choice of attachments, while the .22 WMR barrel is not.

The overall length of the Scout RFR is 35.6 inches. Its base weight is 7.3 pounds. An optional knife tucks away neatly into the stock, and the standard Steyr SBS/Scout buttplate spacers can be swapped in or out to adjust length-of-pull.

MSRP on the Scout RFR is $599.

For more information, please visit SteyrArms.com.

SHOT Show 2018: Weatherby Vanguard First Lite

I’ve been a fan of Weatherby rifles my entire life. My favorite flavor has always been the more affordable, but quite capable, Vanguard Series. I also typically hunt in First Lite Fusion camo. So once I learned that Weatherby had commissioned a Vanguard baked in Flat Dark Earth Cerakote paired with a Monte Carlo stock colored in First Lite Fusion’s camo, I took notice. Ironic considering the point of First Lite Fusion’s pattern.

Some of my fondest hunting memories are captured in photos with me wearing my First Lite Fusion camo. Now I can get a matching rifle from Weatherby. I think that’s pretty cool.

The rifle, regardless of the First Lite camo, is all business. It features a synthetic stock, two-stage trigger, fluted bolt body, three-position safety, No. 2 contour, fluted barrel and standard Accubrake.

Chamberings include Weatherby’s potent .240 Weatherby Mag., .257 Weatherby Mag., 6.5-200 Weatherby Mag., and .300 Weatherby Mag. Addtional chambering are available in 270 Winchester, .308 Winchester and .30-06 Springfield.

MSRP on the rifle is $1,090.

For more information, please visit Weatherby.com.

SHOT Show 2018: Federal .224 Valkyrie

If you get a kick out of the red-hot 6.5 Creedmoor, man are you going to love Federal’s blazing fast .224 Valkyrie. Federal’s new MSR-compatible cartridge flies a lot like the 6.5 Creedmoor with half the recoil and has the ability to fit in an AR-15.

The ballistic beauty of the .224 Valkyrie is in the bullets. They are designed to have high ballistic coefficient (BC) ratings typically produced only by larger caliber bullets.

The 90-grain Sierra MatchKing leads the .224 Valkyrie lineup with a G1 ballistic coefficient of .563, which is noteworthy for virtually any bullet and exceptional for short-action rounds. In comparison, the 223 Rem. 69-grain Sierra MatchKing scores a G1 BC of .301 and even the 22 Nosler 77-grain Custom Competition round tops out in .340 BC territory.

In the 6.5mm arena, BCs range from .421 to .564. This, according to Federal, gives the .224 Valkyrie the ability to retain its speed and flat trajectory longer.

Federal said a round loaded with the 90-grain Gold Medal Sierra MatchKing produces a muzzle velocity of 2,700 feet per second. It maintains a blistering 1,950 fps pace at 500 yards and 1,359 fps when crossing the 1,000-yard line. In fact, it remains supersonic (faster than the speed of sound) past 1,300 yards.

Already heavily supported by Federal, the .224 Valkyrie is available in a 90-grain Gold Medal Sierra MatchKing, 60-grain Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint, 90-grain Fusion MSR and 75-grain American Eagle TMJ, giving .224 Valkyrie shooters bullet choices for everything from casual target shooting to serious competition and hunting everything from varmints to medium-size game like deer and hogs.

For more information, please visit FederalPremium.com.

SHOT Show 2018: Franchi Momentum

When you think Franchi, you think shotguns. Think again. The Italian manufacturer has brought its own flavor of bolt-action rifles to the global market with its innovative Momentum series bolt-action rifle.

Italians have always had a knack for design, and this rifle is no different. Let’s start with the spiral fluted bolt. It features three large-sized locking lugs, and has a short, 60-degree throw to a cold-hammer-forged, chrome-molybdenum matte-finish barrel.

That barrel is also free-floating and threaded to accepts a variety of muzzle accessories (5/8 x 24 thread). The rifle sports an effective recoil pad, which Franchi says reduces felt recoil by up to 50 percent. It also features an adjustable trigger with a two-position safety, with eveeything tucked into a handsomely crafted synthetic stock.

It’s available in .243 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, .270 Winchester, .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, and .300 Win. Mag.

MSRP on the Momentum ranges from $609 to $1,069.

For more information, please visit FranchiUSA.com.

The post Tactical-Life’s Top 5 Guns & Products from SHOT Show 2018 appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

The Fabarm STF 12 shotgun line is set to make its debut in the U.S. market this year.

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Built for tactical applications, the U.S. version of the Fabarm STF 12 is a 12-gauge, three-inch chambered (proof tested to 1,630 BAR) pump-action scattergun with an 18-inch chrome molybdenum steel barrel with a muzzle brake; 5+1 capacity; fixed composite stock; 12.6-inch length of pull; OAL of 36.54 inches; detachable ghost ring sights; Mil-Std 1913 rail at the 12 and 6 o’clock positions; enlarged trigger guard and steel sling-swivel plates.

While that’s what’s available for the U.S. market, the company has 12 different variants listed on its website. The Fabarm STF 12 is built around a hard-anodized ERGAL 55 (7075 aluminum alloy) frame.

The platform is insanely modular, so each variant can easily be changed into the other by switching out key components like the barrel, magazine tube and stock. Fabarm produces 11-, 14-, 18-, 20- and 22-inch barrels, and 4+1, 5+1, 6+1 or 7+1 feeding tubes are available, in addition to either a side-folding or fixed stock.

The MSRP for the two U.S. models is $1,195 in black and $1,285 in FDE. See the specs for each, along with a hype video, below.

For additional information, please visit Fabarm.com.

Fabarm STF 12 Specs

• Gauge: 12ga – 3″ chambered
• Barrel Length: 18″
• Bore Diameter: 0.72″
• Barrel Finishing: Black Non Glare
• Choke Tube: Inner HP accuracy
• Total Capacity: 5+1 rounds
• Cooling Jacket: Included
• Cooling Jacket Finishing: Black Anodized Non Glare/Cerakote Flat Dark Earth
• Stock: Fixed In Composite
• Length of Pull: 12.6″
• Stock Finishing: Black with Soft Touch
• Grip and Forend Finishing: Brown with Soft Touch (FDE model)
• Frame: ERGAL 55
• Frame Finishing: Black Anodized Non Glare/Cerakote Flat Dark Earth
• Sights: Detachable Ghost Ring Sights
• Muzzle Brake (Included)
• Mil-STD 1913 Rail at 12 o’clock (Included)
• Mil-STD 1913 Rail at 6 o’clock Under Forend (Included)
• Optional: Mil-STD 1913 Rail at 3 o’clock on Forend
• Optional: Mil-STD 1913 Rail at 9 o’clock on Forend
• Overall Length: 36.54″
• Proof Test: 1630 BAR

The post CONFIRMED: The Fabarm STF 12 Pump Shotgun Is Coming to the US appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

All good things must come to an end. A visit to Browning‘s website reveals that, sadly, the legendary Browning Hi-Power pistol has been discontinued. Here’s the official announcement below:

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No longer in production. The Hi-Power is one of John Moses Browning’s finest designs. And although it is possible to still find Hi-Power pistols at dealers across the U.S., the Hi-Power is technically out of production. Current dealer inventories will be the last available from Browning for the foreseable future. 

Work on what would become the Browning Hi-Power began in the early 1920s when FN Herstal commissioned John M. Browning to create a new sidearm for the French military. The requirements for the new pistol were as follows: it had to be compact, have a magazine capacity of at least 10 rounds, have an external hammer, external safety and magazine disconnect, be lethal out to 50 meters (55 yards), and be easy to disassemble and reassemble in the field.

As American Rifleman notes, Browning—having sold the M1911 patents to Colt—designed two striker-fired prototypes in his Ogden, Utah, shop; the first was a blowback, the second was a locked-breech design. The latter was chosen by the powers that be for testing, and Browning applied for a patent on June 28, 1923. Unfortunately, it wasn’t approved until Feb. 22, 1927, four months after Browning’s death.

When Browning died, legendary FN designer Dieudonné Saive continued to tweak the design of the gun and is credited with shepherding the project to completion.

By 1934, work on the Browning Hi-Power was finished. The French military—which originally requested the new handgun—ultimately decided to go with the Modèle 1935 pistol instead. But France’s loss was Belgium’s gain, as the Belgian military officially adopted the 9mm Browning Hi-Power in 1935.

The Browning Hi-Power saw action on both sides during World War II. The Germans used it when they captured Belgium, and therefore the FN plant, in 1940. The gun was designated the Pistole 640(b) when it was being produced under Nazi control. Fortunately for the good guys, plans for the Hi-Power were smuggled out of Belgium and wound up in the hands of Canadian gun manufacturer John Inglis and Company, which began producing Hi-Power pistols for British Airborne, the SAS, nationalist Chinese forces, the Canadian military and the OSS, which is the precursor to the CIA.

After the war, the Hi-Power was adopted as a sidearm by over 50 armies and 93 countries around the world, Popular Mechanics says. Eventually, the gun—which served faithfully during virtually every major conflict in the 20th century—was introduced to the civilian market. To date, well over a million Hi-Powers have been produced.

Let’s all raise a glass to the Browning Hi-Power, the final iconic, influential design of John Moses Browning.

The post End of an Era: Browning Hi-Power No Longer in Production appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

Editor’s Note: For anyone that missed it — back in October 2016 Dom Raso sat down with us and told us what was what. We salute Dom and thank him immensely for his service to our country. Consider this a throwback piece that needed to have a place on Tactical-Life.com.

Let me say something to every political hack pretending you know an AR-15 from a double-barreled shotgun in the wake of the Orlando terror attack: Stop talking. Every word not only exposes your ignorance, but your utter contempt for ordinary Americans trying to survive in an age of terror you still won’t fully recognize.

Hillary Clinton says “weapons of war have no place on our streets” and that we need to ban AR-15s immediately. Unlike Hillary, I’ve actually used AR-15s. I was a U.S. Navy SEAL for 12 years. Now I train average, everyday Americans to protect themselves and their families. And for the vast majority of people I work with, there is no better firearm to defend their homes against realistic threats than an AR-15.

These rifles are easy to learn and easy to use. They’re accurate. They’re reliable. And I guarantee that if the Founding Fathers had known this gun would be invented, they wouldn’t have rewritten the Second Amendment—they would have fortified it in stone. Because they knew that the only way for us to stay free is by having whatever guns the bad guys have.

This firearm gives average people the advantage they so desperately need—and deserve—to protect their life, liberty and happiness. But it isn’t just the anti-gun politicians attacking our rights. With every broadcast, media outlets prove just how ignorant and desperate for ratings they truly are.

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Former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson recently asked, “Do we need AR-15s to hunt and kill deer? Do we need them to protect our families?” Look, Gretchen is a great broadcaster. And I’m glad she’s on the side of freedom on most Second Amendment issues. But the fact of the matter is, she simply does not understand what she’s talking about. The Second Amendment has nothing to do with hunting. And when it comes to defending your family, what does it say to you when I—a retired SEAL, someone who trains on every conceivable firearm platform and in hand-to-hand combat, someone who is more prepared for and capable in a firefight than almost every American alive—turn to the AR-15 to defend my family?

Choosing to defend your home with an AR-15 is a common-sense choice that tens of millions of Americans are making, and our neighborhoods and communities are safer for it. Let’s run through some of the latest attacks and see how banning so-called “assault weapons” would’ve turned out.

• California bans “assault weapons.” That didn’t stop the attack in San Bernardino.
• No ban on ARs, or any guns, would have stopped the Boston Marathon bombing.
• ISIS’ well-coordinated attack in France wasn’t deterred by the country’s strict gun control laws.
• Brussels’ gun ban did nothing to stop terrorists from killing innocent civilians.

But every single one of these tragedies ended with police officers carrying AR-15s rushing to the scene as fast as possible.

Hillary Clinton’s solution to stopping terror attacks is to ban the very gun that stops terror attacks. And she calls that common sense! Why would you want to ban the gun that you pray for police to show up with?

Here’s a common-sense solution to stopping terror attacks: Make sure law-abiding citizens are prepared to deal with the imminent threats we face. Hillary Clinton is prepared. She knows ARs are a powerful defense against radical Islamic terrorists. That’s why she’s been surrounded by guards armed with them for the past three decades. AR-15s are fine for Hillary and her family. But average Americans who watch the news and feel genuine fear for their families’ safety—she wants to deny them the level of protection she insists upon herself.

I fought this enemy face-to-face for 12 years, so I know how they think and I know the hatred that burns inside them. I urge every law-abiding American to take measures to defend yourself. Arm yourself. Get the proper training. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Demand your national right to carry—and use it.

This threat is real. And the AR-15 is one of the most effective tools available to protect yourself and your family. Embrace your freedom. Buy one if you want to. Train and learn how to use it. Your safety is in your hands. And keep fighting for our Second Amendment rights.

The above article is from the 2017 edition of AR Rifleman magazine. To subscribe, please visit OutdoorGroupStore.com.

The post Dom Raso: Retired US Navy SEAL Defends AR-15 Use for All Americans appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

CMMG has announced that—after durability testing—its MkG GUARD pistol caliber carbine in .45 ACP, which is fed from factory Glock magazines, is now safely rated for 450 SMC. More on that round below, via the presser:

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For those unfamiliar with 450 SMC, Triton first conceived the cartridge in 2001. The design was ultimately taken over and completed by DoubleTap ammunition years later. In essence, it is a magnum version of .45 ACP that offers ballistics that are comparable to 10mm. It is a true “stopper” that delivers energy capable of taking down big game.

While the 450 SMC uses a case with the same outer dimensions as .45 ACP, there are a few significant differences that allow DoubleTap to load 450 SMC with five to six thousand pounds per square inch of pressure more than a standard .45ACP. First, the 450 SMC uses a small magnum rifle primer instead of the large pistol primer. This modification allows the hardened case to be thicker at the base. Second, the brass is manufactured from the ground up to handle up to 30,000 pounds of pressure. The result is a dual-purpose cartridge that is exceptional for both hunting and personal defense.

The company notes that while 450 SMC can be run in any .45 ACP rifle rated for +P ammo, the rearward force created by the load would cause issues in a straight blowback AR15. The MkG GUARD is able to mitigate those issues due to its Radial Delayed Blowback system.

The Radial Delayed Blowback system uses up some of the recoil impulse of the spent round to unlock the rotating bolt from the barrel extension. This mitigates the leftover rearward force that then drives the carrier back to cycle the action. By eliminating some of this rearward force during the unlocking sequence, the GUARD requires less weight in the bolt carrier group and buffer to safely cycle. This reduction in reciprocating mass results in less felt recoil for the end user.

See below to check out how the 450 SMC compares to the 10mm out of a 16-inch barrel, according to data supplied to CMMG by DoubleTap. In addition see the specs for CMMG’s MkG GUARD platform. For more, visit cmmginc.com.

450 SMC Performance

10mm Performance

MkG45 GUARD T

• BARREL: 16.1″ 1:16 Twist, Medium Taper 4140 SBN Barrel
• MUZZLE: CMMG SV Brake, Threaded .578-28
• HAND GUARD: CMMG RKM11
• FURNITURE: A2 Pistol Grip, M4 butt stock with 6-pos mil-spec receiver extension
• RECEIVERS: Billet 7075-T6 AL Lower, Forged 7075-T6 AL Upper
• TRIGGER: CMMG Single Stage Mil-Spec style trigger
• WEIGHT: 5.6 lbs (UNLOADED)
• LENGTH: 32.5 (STOCK COLLAPSED)
• MSRP: $1299.95

MkG45 GUARD DRB

• BARREL: 16.1″ 1:16 Twist, Medium Taper 4140 SBN Barrel
• MUZZLE: CMMG SV Brake, Threaded .578-28
• HAND GUARD: CMMG RKM14
• FURNITURE: Magpul MOE Pistol Grip, Magpul CTR stock with 6-pos mil-spec receiver extension
• RECEIVERS: Billet 7075-T6 AL Lower, Forged 7075-T6 AL Upper
• TRIGGER: CMMG Single Stage Mil-Spec style trigger
• WEIGHT: 5.8 lbs (UNLOADED)
• LENGTH: 32.5 (STOCK COLLAPSED)
• MSRP: $1399.95

MkG45 GUARD PDW

• BARREL: 8″ 1:16 Twist, Medium Taper 4140 SBN Barrel
• MUZZLE: CMMG SV Brake, Threaded .578-28
• HAND GUARD: CMMG RKM7
• FURNITURE: Magpul MOE Pistol Grip, Magpul MOE stock with 6-pos mil-spec receiver extension
• RECEIVERS: Billet 7075-T6 AL Lower, Forged 7075-T6 AL Upper
• TRIGGER: CMMG Single Stage Mil-Spec style trigger
• WEIGHT: 5 lbs (UNLOADED)
• LENGTH: 25 (STOCK COLLAPSED)
• MSRP: $1349.95

MkG45 GUARD PDW Pistol

• BARREL: 8″ 1:16 Twist, Medium Taper 4140 SBN Barrel
• MUZZLE: CMMG SV Brake, Threaded .578-28
• HAND GUARD: CMMG RKM7
• FURNITURE: Magpul MOE Pistol Grip, CMMG Pistol receiver extension
• RECEIVERS: Billet 7075-T6 AL Lower, Forged 7075-T6 AL Upper
• TRIGGER: CMMG Single Stage Mil-Spec style trigger
• WEIGHT: 4.7 lbs (UNLOADED)
• LENGTH: 24″ (STOCK COLLAPSED
• MSRP: $1299.95

MkG45 GUARD DRB2

• BARREL: 16.1″ 1:16 Twist, Medium Taper 4140 SBN Barrel
• MUZZLE: CMMG SV Brake, Threaded .578-28
• HAND GUARD: CMMG RKM14
• FURNITURE: Magpul MOE Pistol Grip, Magpul CTR stock with 6-pos mil-spec receiver extension
• RECEIVERS: Billet 7075-T6 AL Lower, Forged 7075-T6 AL Upper
• TRIGGER: Giessele Automatics SSA
• WEIGHT: 5.8 lbs (UNLOADED)
• LENGTH: 32.5 (STOCK COLLAPSED)
• MSRP: $1599.95

The post CMMG’s MkG GUARD Is Now Rated for 450 SMC appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

Last week, the Russian Ministry of Defence announced that Kalashnikov Concern’s AK-12 and AK-15 assault rifles had officially been adopted by Russia’s Ground Forces, Airborne and Marine troops. Now, Kalashnikov CEO Alexey Krivoruchko has confirmed to Russian state news agency TASS that his company has signed a contract with the MoD to deliver its new RPK-16 guns.

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Designed as a replacement for the aging RPK-74, the RPK-16 is a light machine gun chambered in 5.45x39mm first introduced at the Army-2016 International Military Technical Forum and Defense Exhibition in Russia. It features a collapsible, side-folding, 4-position stock; receiver cover with two attachment points to ensure accessories stay firmly in place on the included Picatinny rail; and a windage adjustable rear aperture sight.

The RPK-16 also features a polymer handguard with Picatinny rails at the 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock positions; additional slots for rails on the sides; enhanced safety selector lever; ergonomic pistol grip with finger grooves and a maintenance kit inside; birdcage style muzzle device; and a barrel that can be quickly switched out with the need for additional tools or instruments. This gun also comes with a 95-round drum magazine.

To learn more about the RPK-16, check out the video below. Visit kalashnikov.com for more on Kalashnikov Concern.

The post VIDEO: Kalashnikov Delivering RPK-16 Machine Guns to Russian MoD appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

You may have heard the U.S. Army is looking to replace the M4 carbine and M249 squad automatic weapon. Many surmised that the service would follow the Marines and adopt the Heckler & Koch M27 IAR (Infantry Automatic Rifle). Not so fast. Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee’s Airland subcommittee on the subject of Army modernization, officials said the plan now is to pursue an entirely new platform called the the Next Generation Squad Weapon.

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According to Military.com, the subject got brought up when Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, asked about the Army’s effort to defeat enemy body armor which the 5.56mm cartridge can’t penetrate.

“There has been a proliferation of body armor, specifically Russian and Chinese, designed to defeat traditional 5.56mm NATO ammunition which is of course what our soldiers fire from their M4s,” Cotton said. “What are we doing to address what is a very serious issue for the soldier on the front lines?”

Lt. Gen. John Murray, Army Deputy Chief of Staff G-8, replied that the service was looking to address the issue in two phases. The first is a “near-term” solution in the form of the Squad Designated Marksman Rifle (SDM-R).

“That is a 7.62 capability that gives us the ability to penetrate the most advanced body armor in the world, along with the Advanced Armor Piercing round that’s in development,” Murray said. “We are accelerating the SDM-R, or the Squad Designated Marksman Rifle, to ’18 … We had hoped to accelerate the ADVAP round, the Advanced Armor Piercing Round, to ’18 as well to line up with that, but we’re about a year off. So we will develop that ammo and field it in ’19. You can still fire 7.62, and you can still penetrate, you just can’t get quite the range you will with the next generation round.

“That’s Phase 1. Phase 2 is the development of what we’re calling the Next Generation Squad Weapon,” Murray continued. “First iteration will probably be an automatic rifle to replace the SAW, which is also a 5.56. We’ve been pushed on the M27 which the Marine Corps has adopted. That is also a 5.56 which doesn’t penetrate, so we’re gonna go down the path of Next Generation Squad Weapon, automatic rifle first, to be closely followed I’m hopeful for either a rifle or a carbine that will fire something other than a 5.56. It probably won’t be a 7.62, it’ll probably be something in-between. Cased telescoping round, probably polymer casing to reduce the weight of it. We have in the S&T community a demonstration weapon right now. It’s too big, it’s too heavy, but we’ve recently opened it up to commercial industry for them to come in with their ideas about how they would get to that. We’ve offered them some money to come in and prototype for us that type of weapon. We believe with that weapon, with a new ammo, we can achieve probably weights similar to the M4/5.56 ammo, the weapon will probably weigh a little bit more, the ammo will probably weigh a little bit less, and we can get penetration of the most advanced body armor in the world probably well out past the max effective range of the M4, and that’s what we see as a replacement for the M4 in the future, not the SDM-R.”

Next Generation Squad Weapon Timetable

Lt. General Paul Ostrowski, Army Acquisition Corps Director and the military deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, then gave a timeline for the fielding of the Next Generation Squad Weapon.

“I will just say that, between the S&T effort that we have ongoing with Textron, and the OTA – Other Transactional Authority – that we’re going to offer to other vendors in ’18, the intent is to try to do a fly off between those particular companies by the end of ’21 in order to provide some kind of capability by ’22 or ’23 at the latest,” Ostrowski said.

Ostrowski’s statement appears to confirm earlier reports that Textron Systems’ new Intermediate Case-Telescoped Carbine in 6.5mm was used for testing. But given the fact that Murray described the demonstration gun as “too big” and “too heavy,” the service will undoubtedly be going with something different in terms of the Next Generation Squad Weapon.

The post Army Won’t Adopt M27 IAR, Opts for Next Generation Squad Weapon appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

Lewis Machine & Tool (LMT) is known for building some of the toughest AR-platform rifles available. For years, LMT rifles have been the choice of military professionals, police officers and anyone looking for exceptionally strong weapons. Building rifles and components for warfighters has given the company an operational perspective, so everything it makes is simple, proven and reliable.

LMT has also designed a number of improvements for the AR platform, including an enhanced bolt carrier group as well as the MRP, or Monolithic Rail Platform. The MRP was the first upper receiver built from a single billet of aluminum with an integral handguard for added durability. Special operations warriors tend to trick out their rifles with lots of accessories, including optics, lights and lasers, to rule the battlefield. Adding all of that weight can cause a standard upper or handguard to crack or fail over time. But the added strength of the one-piece MRP design prevents this.

And, on top of everything else, the MRP allows operators to quickly swap barrel assemblies in the field. The system secures the barrels in such a way to minimize point-of-impact shifts while allowing them to float freely for enhanced accuracy. In short, the MRP upper is truly innovative, and it’ll fit on any AR-style lower receiver—including LMT’s new, fully ambidextrous MARS-L.

For All Shooters

As its name implies, the MARS-L (Modular Ambidextrous Rifle System-Light) lower receiver features ambidextrous controls that mirror each other on both sides. Each control is positioned to be as similar as possible to its companion on the other side. This makes it possible for users to manipulate the controls and operate the rifle from either side without needing a different manual of arms for each side. This is something many military and police agencies have been requesting for years.

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While ambidextrous lowers are starting to become common on various sporting and competition rifles, LMT’s MARS-L is one of the most intuitive I’ve used to date. On the left side you’ll find a standard bolt stop and safety as well as a new magazine release that’s placed a little lower than the right side’s. A small guard protects it from inadvertent activation. The right side hosts a bolt catch/release. While other designs only release the bolt, this version allows you to lock the bolt to the rear by pressing the button, eliminating the need to remove your control hand from the rifle. The safety levers are mirrored with clear pictograph markings on both sides.

LMT’s collapsible SOPMOD stock is installed on the mil-spec buffer tube. More features include the rubber pistol grip and extended triggerguard. Rounding out the lower is LMT’s excellent two-stage trigger.

The MARS-L rifle I was sent for testing came equipped with an MRP upper receiver featuring a quad-rail system that houses a 16-inch, chrome-lined barrel with a 1-in-7-inch twist rate. The barrel has a 5.56mm NATO chamber and an A2-style flash suppressor. LMT’s enhanced bolt carrier group is installed along with an ambidextrous charging handle. Finally, the rifle came with a set of removable A2-style sights and an aluminum 30-round magazine.

I tested the MARS-L in two configurations. For the first setup, I kept the iron sights in place and added a Trijicon MRO sight to the flattop upper. This is a common setup for a self-defense or patrol rifle. I also replaced the A2-style flash suppressor with a SureFire WarComp 556 and added a Blue Force Gear Vickers two-point sling. I used mil-spec aluminum Brownells magazines and several Teflon-coated BCM magazines with CTT Solutions basepads.

Previous MRP testing yielded excellent accuracy results, prompting the second configuration. I replaced the LMT sights with a set of offset Dueck Defense RTS sights. I also added a Bushnell 3.5-21x50mm HDMR scope using a Horus TReMoR 2 reticle in an Alamo Four Star mount. Extensive experience with this system has yielded excellent results to the limits of the 5.56mm NATO cartridge. I used SureFire’s SOCOM556-RC2 suppressor for much of the long-range testing. For prone shooting, I used an Atlas bipod and Magpul’s 20-round PMAGs.

Rounds Downrange

This is the third MRP-based rifle I’ve tested over the years, and they’ve all been accurate. My best 100-yard group came with Black Hills’ 69-grain TMK ammo at 0.75 inches. This load was also the best performer out to 500 yards. Firing from prone with no support, Remington’s 77-grain Premier Match created a 0.6-inch group at 50 yards, which is closer to a real-life engagement distance. Barnes’ 85-grain OTMs also performed well, only slightly less accurate than the best 77-grain ammunition.

Using Black Hill’s 69- and 77-grain TMK rounds, I could consistently hit steel at 200, 300, 500 and 650 yards. During the testing, 20-mph wind gusts made it a little harder to hit targets at 800 yards and beyond. During one 10-round string using the 77-grain TMKs, I was able to get four hits out of 10 on a 12-by-16-inch target—not bad for a 16-inch-barreled carbine on a windy day.

As mentioned, I’ve tested several rifles with ambidextrous controls in the last few months. While many, including myself, considered that an “extra” at one time, I’m starting to think it should be standard for most rifles. The more ambidextrous, the better—and the MARS-L is one of the best designs I’ve seen to date. Mirroring the controls so well makes it very easy to operate the rifle. It didn’t take me long to reload from the left side, and I’m right-handed. But the rifle really shined when I ran right-side reloads from the shoulder while on the move.

When I stacked up with my SWAT teammates, I did not move the rifle into my “workspace” when reloading—I kept the rifle in the pocket with the muzzle downrange. I may rotate the gun slightly, but with practice, the rifle is back in the fight faster than most people can even start a transition. Using my trigger finger to release the magazine and then the bolt was extremely fast. Your control hand can stay in place during the entire operation. As a bonus, administrative unloading is simple and well controlled. In short, this design is very slick and well thought out.

Parting Shots

The “Light” part of the MARS-L name refers to its chambering, not its weight. While the lower weighs about the same as any forged unit, the MRP upper is a bit heavier. The rifle’s not overly heavy at 7.1 pounds, but it’s not particularly light, either. My test rifle’s quad-rail handguard undoubtedly added a bit of extra weight. But you can also order the CQB upper for shorter barrels or a streamlined SLK version to shed weight. If you need a ton of accessories, this version is incredibly strong.

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This rifle ran flawlessly with and without the SOCOM556-RC2 suppressor. With the suppressor in place, the ejection pattern didn’t alter much, and excess gas was kept to a minimum. This setup worked well for prone shooting with lower and slower round counts. Working the square range with fast split times and higher round counts, the WarComp would be my preference. The suppressor caused the point of impact to shift vertically 2.5 inches with the 69-grain TMKs—there was no side-to-side movement.

The real difference in this rifle is the lower receiver, and LMT has done a fantastic job here. In fact, the MARS-L came about because of a request from the New Zealand Defence Force, which is now fielding these rifles after thorough testing under real-world conditions. The controls are intuitive, easy to access and robust. The MARS-L is a great rifle, but if you don’t want the monolithic upper or barrel interchangeability, the lower is available on its own and will work with most any traditional AR upper. Select-fire versions are also available for government agencies. In the end, no matter the application, it’d be hard to go wrong with the LMT MARS-L.

LMT Defense MARS-L Specs

LMT MARS-L Performance

*Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in fps by chronograph and accuracy in inches for best five-shot groups at 100 yards.

For more information, visit lmtdefense.com.

This article is from the 2017 issue of “Black Guns” magazine. To order a copy, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post MARS-L Review: Lewis Machine & Tool’s Fully Ambidextrous Rifle appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

Italian gun maker Franchi—best known for its shotguns—has officially entered the bolt-action rifle market with the introduction of the Momentum.

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The Franchi Momentum is chambered in six hunting calibers: .243 Win., 6.5 Creedmoor, .270 Win. .308 Win., .30-06 Springfield and .300 Win. Mag. It’s available in multiple configurations, including standalone threaded and non-threaded models, and a rifle that comes topped with a Burris Fullfield II 3-9×40 riflescope along with the Burris two-piece scope base and zee rings. If you opt for the rifle-only version, the Momentum accepts the same two-piece scope bases as the Remington Model 700.

One of the key features to note, according to Franchi, is the polymer stock which features raised curves and checkering at strategic points, resulting in an “ergonomic feel and positive hold in the five most commonly used shooting positions.” The stock also has recessed sling-attachment points. At the butt is Franchi’s TSA recoil pad which absorbs 50 percent of the rifle’s recoil, along with integrated contours to allow for comfort when shooting from a benchrest.

The Franchi Momentum also sports a cold hammer forged, chrome molybdenum free floated barrel with a matte finish. The 5/8×24 threaded barrel configuration is protected by a knurled cover that can easily be removed when attaching accessories or suppressors. The barrel measures 22 inches in length in .243 Win., .270 Win., .308 Win. and .30-06 Springfield. When chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor and .300 Win. Mag., the barrel is 24 inches long.

Also included in the Franchi Momentum is a two-position safety; single-stage trigger adjustable from two to four pounds; hinged floorplate with the release located in the trigger guard and a one-piece bolt that is fluted and features three locking logs. The bolt has a short 60-degree throw for faster cycling and is easily disassembled when cleaning, the company says.

Offering a 4+1 capacity, the Franchi Momentum is available at a suggested retail price of $609 in the standard threaded or non-threaded versions, and $729 for the model with the Burris riflescope. There’s also a 150th anniversary limited edition model which features a AA-Grade Satin Walnut stock chambered in .30-06 Springfield. MSRP on that one is $1,069. Specs below.

For more, visit franchiusa.com.

Franchi Momentum Bolt-Action Rifle Specs

Rifle Only/Threaded Barrel Standard Features – Stock/Finish: Black synthetic/black. Trigger: Adjustable (2-4 lbs.). Barrel: Free-floating/threaded (5/8×24 threads). Capacity: 4+1 (.300 Win. Mag 3+1). Length of Pull: 14 inches. Warranty: 7 years. MSRP: $609

• .243 Winchester – Barrel Length: 22 inches. Overall Length: 42.3 lbs. Overall Weight: 6.6 lbs. Rate of Twist: 1:10 RH
• 6.5 Creedmoor – Barrel Length: 24 inches. Overall Length: 44.3 inches. Overall Weight: 6.7 lbs. Rate of Twist: 1:8 RH
• .270 Winchester – Barrel Length: 22 inches. Overall Length: 42.3 inches. Overall Weight: 6.6 lbs. Rate of Twist: 1:10 RH
• .308 Winchester – Barrel Length: 22 inches. Overall Length: 42.3 inches. Overall Weight: 6.6 lbs. Rate of Twist: 1:11 RH
• .30-06 Springfield – Barrel Length: 22 inches. Overall Length: 42.3 inches. Overall Weight: 6.6 lbs. Rate of Twist: 1:11 RH
• .300 Win. Mag. – Barrel Length: 24 inches. Overall Length: 44.3 inches. Overall Weight: 6.7 lbs. Rate of Twist: 1:11 RH

Rifle Only/No Threaded Barrel Standard Features – Stock/Finish: Black synthetic/black. Trigger: Adjustable (2-4 lbs.). Barrel: Free-floating. Capacity: 4+1. Length of Pull: 14 inches. Warranty: 7 years. MSRP: $609

• .243 Winchester – Barrel Length: 22 inches. Overall Length: 42.3 lbs. Overall Weight: 6.6 lbs. Rate of Twist: 1:10 RH
• .270 Winchester – Barrel Length: 22 inches. Overall Length: 42.3 inches. Overall Weight: 6.6 lbs. Rate of Twist: 1:10 RH
• .308 Winchester – Barrel Length: 22 inches. Overall Length: 42.3 inches. Overall Weight: 6.6 lbs. Rate of Twist: 1:11 RH

Rifle/Burris Fullfield II Combo Standard Features – Optics: Burris Fullfield II 3-9×40. Base/Rings: Burris 2-piece base/Burris Zee Rings. Stock/Finish: Black synthetic/black. Trigger: Adjustable (2-4 lbs.). Barrel: Free-floating/threaded (5/8×24 threads). Capacity: 4+1 (.300 Win. Mag 3+1). Length of Pull: 14 inches. Warranty: 7 years (rifle). MSRP: $729

• .243 Winchester – Barrel Length: 22 inches. Overall Length: 42.3 lbs. Overall Weight: 7.7 lbs. Rate of Twist: 1:10 RH
• 6.5 Creedmoor – Barrel Length: 24 inches. Overall Length: 44.3 inches. Overall Weight: 7.8 lbs. Rate of Twist: 1:8 RH
• .270 Winchester – Barrel Length: 22 inches. Overall Length: 42.3 inches. Overall Weight: 7.7 lbs. Rate of Twist: 1:10 RH
• .308 Winchester – Barrel Length: 22 inches. Overall Length: 42.3 inches. Overall Weight: 7.7 lbs. Rate of Twist: 1:11 RH
• .30-06 Springfield – Barrel Length: 22 inches. Overall Length: 42.3 inches. Overall Weight: 7.7 lbs. Rate of Twist: 1:11 RH
• .300 Win. Mag. – Barrel Length: 24 inches. Overall Length: 44.3 inches. Overall Weight: 7.8 lbs. Rate of Twist: 1:11 RH

The post Franchi Momentum: Italian Gunmaker Launches First Bolt-Action Rifle appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

Every year at SHOT Show there are always a few items that create a certain level of buzz amongst the sea of 2A-loving attendees. This year, those items manifested themselves in the form of the SIG P365 and the new .224 Valkyrie round — more specifically, those manufacturers making complete .224 Valkyrie rifles.

Federal Premium’s 224 Valkyrie

If you’re looking for a quick summary of Federal Premium’s new 224 Valkyrie, “unmatched long-range precision” paints a pretty solid picture.

According to Federal, “The results recorded by our engineers during the cartridge’s extensive development and testing process speak for themselves. The 224 Valkyrie provides extremely flat trajectories, supersonic velocities at as far as 1,300 yards downrange, and match-grade accuracy.”

We were on hand at SHOT Show’s Industry Day at the Range 2018 and watched LMT Defense’s entry into the 224 Valkyrie realm verify that 1,300-yard distance with authority.

The long-range capabilities are impressive, but also worth noting is the reduced recoil and improved ballistics over similar calibers.

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“The 224 Valkyrie is based on a 30 Rem./6.8 SPC case necked down to .224 caliber. This gives it similar geometry to the 22 Nosler — although the Valkyrie’s ingenious blend of case capacity and ample ogive space, coupled with a highly efficient, heavy-for-caliber .224 projectile, produces downrange exploits the 22 Nosler can’t touch.”

“It offers up to 127.88 inches less drop and 68.76 inches less wind drift at 1,000 yards than the 223 Rem and other short-action calibers like the 22 Nosler and 6.5 Grendel. Plus, its ballistics are comparable to much larger, harder-kicking calibers like the 6.5 Creedmoor — with as little as half the felt recoil.”

Another factor is speed. Federal tested its 224 Valkyrie 90-grain Gold Medal Sierra MatchKing and had it leaving the muzzle at 2,700 feet per second. Federal reported that speed maintained at a pace of 1,950 fps at 500 yards and 1,268 fps when crossing the 1,000-yard line.

Now that you have some background on the caliber, here’s a look at eight manufacturers currently making complete .224 Valkyrie rifles. Scroll through the gallery above for a better look at all of the offerings.

Savage MSR 15 Valkyrie

The Savage MSR 15 Valkyrie gets maximum performance from the all-new 224 Valkyrie cartridge, which was pioneered by Federal to offer the best ballistics of any MSR 15 caliber. The competition-ready MSR 15 Valkyrie features an upgraded 18-inch barrel and a crisp two-stage trigger. Its Elite Series Cerakote finish forms a tough, protective layer on the upper and lower, and its adjustable mid-length gas system can be customized to specific ammunition for the most reliable cycling.

• Operation: Direct Gas / Rotary Bolt
• Weight (empty): 8.09 Pounds / 3.67 Kilograms
• Overall Length: 36.375 inches (collapsed); 39.675 inches (extended)
• Front & Rear Sight: N/A
• Magazine Capacity: 25 Rounds
• Finish: Mil-Spec Anodized Aluminum; Mil-Spec Phosphated Steel
• Barrel: 18 inches Chrome Lined Barrel
• Rifling:
• Handguards:
• Buttstock: DMR Buttstock, 5 Position Mil-Spec Extension Tube with adjustable comb height and length of pull
• Flash Hider: A2 Birdcage
• Fire Control: Safe / Fire Selector Switch
• Field Maintenance: Easily field strips with no special tools
• Includes: Sling, Manual, Calibrated Torque Wrench, 4 Rail Segments and Rubber Panels, Tactical Front and Rear Sights

Barrett REC7 DI

Barrett showed off a .224 Valkyrie concept rifle at SHOT Show 2018 and, like all things Barrett, it was met with a resoundingly positive response. The manufacturer built its SHOT model in the Barrett ARG (Advanced Research Group) Custom Shop. While Barrett does not have a finalized production plan for the REC7 in .224 Valkyrie, it’s hoping to have something by mid-2018. Here’s what we know about the potential specs:

• LR (Long Range) model (this is a potential new model offering mid-year)
• 22” barrel (subject to change)
• Heavy barrel profile
• Stainless Steel
• 1 in 7” twist
• Rifle length gas system
• Barrett Muzzle Brake
• Magpul PRSIII Stock
• SSA Trigger
• Magpul BUIS
• Radian Raptor charging handle

Mossberg MVP Precision Bolt-Action

Mossberg has not one, but two .224 Valkyrie offerings for 2018. The first of which is the MVP Precision bolt-action rifle.

All MVP rifles accept/feed from standard AR-style magazines — a first for bolt-actions. Features include an all-new chassis design with takedown capability; a 20-inch threaded Medium Bull barrel that’s free-floated for maximum accuracy in a slim-profile forearm featuring M-LOK modular mounting system; LUTH-AR MBA-3 stock (Adjustable for Length-of-pull, Cast, Comb height); Magpul MOE+ Grip/Trigger Guard; LBA Adjustable Trigger (from 3-7 pounds); and a 10-round magazine.

MSRP on the MVP Precision in .224 Valkyrie is $1,407.

Mossberg MMR Pro Autoloader

The second .224 Valkyrie offering from Mossberg is its MMR Pro.

The MMR Pro features a reliable rifle-length direct-impingement gas system; JM Pro Drop-in Adjustable Match Trigger; an 18-inch free-floating stainless steel barrel for superior accuracy with a SilencerCo muzzlebrake and a suppressor-ready ASR mount; Slim-profile forearm with M-LOK modular mounting system; Magpul MOE+ Grip and Trigger Guard; Raptor ambidextrous charging handle; 6-Position stock with an interchangeable FLEXTM recoil pad for length-of-pull flexibility; and 28-Round magazine.

MSRP on the MMR Pro in .224 Valkyrie is $1,393.

LWRCI-DI Valkyrie 224

Using its proprietary 6.8 platform, LWRCI’ Valkyrie 224 provides shooters with a rifle engineered specifically to 6.8 geometry, including a proprietary 30-round PMAG co-developed with Magpul.

The LWRCI Valkyrie 224 design includes the manufacturer’s 16-inch M-LOK Free float handguards; LWRCI 20.1-inch Cold-hammer-forged, NiCorr-treated heavy barrel; a Monoforge Upper receiver; full ambidextrous lower controls; the new LWRCI Ultra Brake; a 4 Port Enhanced Muzzle Brake; and a Magpul fixed MOE rifle stock.

MSRP on the LWRCI-DI Valkyrie 224 ranges from $1,995 to $2,148.

For more information, please visit LWRCI.com.

Ashbury Precision SUPRA-224 Valkyrie Shadow-6 Limited Edition (numbered series 1-50)  

Ashbury Precision Ordnance (APO) has two .224 Valkyrie offerings, the first of which is a limited edition.

• Custom configured APO SUPRA Precision Light Rifle
• SABER SX 416R Stainless Steel Bolt Action Receiver Black Nitride Finish
• 24 inch 1:7″ twist medium contour Pinnacle Series match grade barrel
• Trigger: Tubb T7T Two-Stage Trigger at 3 pounds
• DDD Muzzle Brake
• Custom SABER MRCS-AR Rifle Chassis
• Ergonomically Adjustable SABER TASS Shoulder Stock
• Custom Full Shadow-6 Engraving
• Finish: Cerakote
• Weight: 10.5 pounds
• Accuracy: 1/2 MOA with match grade ammunition

MSRP on the SUPRA-224 Valkyrie is $4,475; that’s for the base rifle with upgrades available.

For more information, please visit AshburyPrecisionOordnance.net.

Ashbury Precision Custom SABER M700 .224 Valkyrie

The second rifle in APO’s .224 lineup is a custom SABER M700.

• Custom configured SABER-M700 Precision Rifle
• Blueprinted Remington 700 Short Action Stainless Steel Bolt Action Receiver
• 24 inch 1:7″ twist medium contour Pinnacle Series match grade barrel
• Trigger: X-Mark Pro Trigger Tuned at 3.5 pounds
• DDD Muzzle Brake
• Custom SABER MRCS-AR Rifle Chassis
• Ergonomically Adjustable LUTH-AR MBA-3 Shoulder Stock
• Custom APO Cheek Riser
• Custom Partial Shadow-6 Engraving
• Weight: 9.5 pounds
• Accuracy: 1/2 MOA with match grade ammunition

MSRP on the SABER-M700 is $2,700; that’s for the base rifle with upgrades available.

For more information, please visit AshburyPrecisionOordnance.net.

CMMG Mk4 DTR2

The Mk4 DTR2 sports a 24-inch medium taper barrel with a 1:7 twist and CMMG’s SV brake to mitigate muzzle rise. Also included is a Magpul MOE pistol grip and Magpul PRS stock, as well as a Geissele SSA 2-Stage trigger. Meanwhile, the rifle is outfitted with a RML14 M-LOK handguard and CMMG ambi charging handle.

Built on a 7075-T6 AL lower receiver and a forged 7075-T6 AL upper receiver, the gun weighs 9.2 pounds unloaded, measures 44.5 inches in overall length and is available in five different Cerakote colors as an optional upgrade.

MSRP on the Mk4 DTR2 is $1,699.95.

For more information, please visit CMMGinc.com.

LaRue Tactical Ultimate 224 SUURG Kit

LaRue has a rather unique offering for the .224 Valkyrie with its SUURG Kit. What’s in the SUURG Kit?

• LaRue SURG 2.0 Upper Receiver (M4 feedramps) with forward assist and dust cover installed
• LaRue SURG 2.0 M-LOK Handguard with Barrel Nut and Barrel Nut Wrench
• Mil-spec Charging Handle
• Mil-spec Bolt Carrier Group
• LaRue Barrel
• LaRue Suppressor & Suppressor BurnGuard
• LT202 Gas Block and Gas Tube
• SURG 2.0 Muzzle Brake
• RAT Stock with RAT Rod Kit
• LT629 Receiver Extension Tube, Castle Nut, Latch Plate, Carbine Spring and Buffer
• LT-TAC Trigger Action Chassis with APEG grip, safety, and LTMBT-2S Trigger installed
• Lower Parts Kit (all remaining springs, pins and detents to complete out your stripped lower)
• Black Gap Rail Covers

MSRP on the 224 SUURG Kit is $1,995.

For more information, please visit LaRue.com.

MasterPiece Arms MPA 224BA Bolt Action Rifle

MasterPiece Arms’ addition to the .224 Valkyrie club is the MPA 224BA Bolt Action Rifle.

The chassis is machined on MPA’s CNC Horizontal Machining Centers to exacting tolerances from 6061 aluminum. MPA’s unique pocketing system reduces weight and increases the structural integrity of the chassis. The chassis also includes a built-in bubble level, thumb notch, night vision bridge and lower mounted Picatinny rail. The new MPA Enhanced Vertical Grip is also included. It is compatible with a user locatable barricade stop system, which requires the purchase of an optional MPA BA Rotating Barricade Stop.

The MPA 224BA includes a precision gun drilled, reamed and honed Spencer / MPA rifle barrel made from 416RQ stainless steel. The hand lapped barrel is bore- and land-inspected on a video borescope. The chamber is indicated within 0.0001″ or less to the bore of the rifle.

MSRP on the MPA 224BA is $2,825.

For more information, please visit MasterPieceArms.com.

The post 9 Manufacturers Currently Making Complete .224 Valkyrie Rifles appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

Benelli is expanding its Ethos line by introducing its new Ethos Sport shotgun series for 2018.

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The Benelli Ethos Sport lineup includes 12-, 20- and 28-gauge models. Based on the standard Ethos field model, these Ethos Sport shotguns come with a recoil-absorbing cheek comb pad twice the size of those found on previous versions. The Ethos Sport shotguns also sport a raised, carbon fiber sporting rib and barrel to allow for faster and more effective follow up shots, the company says. Meanwhile, the barrel lengths have been increased, which increases the “smooth swinging” of the Ethos Sport, and enhanced ergonomics make this scattergun easy to operate.

The Ethos Sport models, similar to the field model counterparts, feature AA-Grade satin walnut stocks; engraved nickel-plated receivers and Benelli’s patented locking system. According to the presser, the 28-gauge Ethos Sport model is chambered for 3-inch shells, joining its field model counterpart as the only 28-gauge shotguns to be chambered for both 2-3/4 and 3-inch shells.

MSRP for all three models is $2,269. See the spec breakdown for each variant below. To learn more, visit benelliusa.com.

Ethos Sport – 12 Gauge

• Gauge: 12
• Action: Semi-auto
• Chambering: 2-3/4 and 3 inches
• Capacity: 4+1.
• Barrel Length(s): 28 and 30 inches.
• Overall length(s): 49.5 inches (28-inch barrel); 51.5 inches (30-inch barrel)
• Weight: 6.6 lbs. (28-inch barrel); 6.7 lbs. (30-inch barrel)
• Finish: AA-Grade satin walnut
• Receiver: Engraved nickel-plated
• Chokes: Extended Crio (C/IC/M/IM/F) plus wrench
• Sights: Interchangeable fiber-optic front sight with red, green and yellow inserts; metal mid-bead
• Length of Pull: 14-3/8 inches
• Drop at Heel: 2-1/4 inches
• Drop at Comb: 1-1/2 inches
• Minimum Recommended Load: 7/8 oz.
• Warranty: 10 years
• MSRP: $2,269

Ethos Sport – 20 Gauge

• Gauge: 20
• Action: Semi-auto
• Chambering: 2-3/4 and 3 inches
• Capacity: 4+1
• Barrel Length: 28 inches
• Overall length: 49.5 inches
• Weight: 5.7 lbs
• Finish: AA-Grade satin walnut
• Receiver: Engraved nickel-plated
• Chokes: Extended Crio (C/IC/M/IM/F) plus wrench
• Sights: Interchangeable fiber-optic front sight with red, green and yellow inserts; metal mid-bead
• Length of Pull: 14-3/8 inches
• Drop at Heel: 2-1/4 inches
• Drop at Comb: 1-1/2 inches
• Minimum Recommended Load: 7/8 oz
• Warranty: 10 years
• MSRP: $2,269

Ethos Sport – 28 Gauge

• Gauge: 28
• Action: Semi-auto
• Chambering: 2-3/4 and 3 inches
• Capacity: 2+1
• Barrel Length: 28 inches
• Overall length: 49 inches
• Weight: 5.4 lbs
• Finish: AA-Grade satin walnut
• Receiver: Engraved nickel-plated
• Chokes: Extended Crio (C/IC/M/IM/F) plus wrench
• Sights: Interchangeable fiber-optic front sight with red, green and yellow inserts; metal mid-bead
• Length of Pull: 14-3/8 inches
• Drop at Heel: 2-1/4 inches
• Drop at Comb: 1-1/2 inches
• Minimum Recommended Load: 7/8 oz
• Warranty: 10 years
• MSRP: $2,269

The post Benelli Introduces the Ethos Sport Shotgun Series for 2018 appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

The following is the first segment of Beast Master Hunting’s “Kill of the Month.” Each month, Nick Atkinson, founder of Beast Master Hunting, will provide the Ballistic audience with first-hand video of his hunts. Enjoy!

The Gear

On Dec. 10, 2017, around midnight, this video was recorded from my hunting partner’s and my points of view while coyote hunting. We were both using Trijicon MK III 60mm thermal optics mounted on Beast Master Hunting rifles.

What you see is simultaneously recorded footage through our optics, edited on a split screen. The predator call you hear in the background is a FOXPRO Shockwave.

Coyote Hunting

This particular ranch in Texas has a major issue with coyotes. The land owner contacted me to help remove as many coyotes from the property as we could. We hunted most of the night and shot more than a dozen coyotes, but this set was the highlight of the night.

After only about four minutes of calling, these two coyotes busted the brush looking hungry. Lucky for us, they came in on the same line and had no inclination that we were waiting.

We quickly coordinated who was shooting which coyote — my partner on the front coyote at about 65 yards, and me on the far coyote at about 165 yards.

The front coyote paused as if he knew something wasn’t right, but it was too late. The countdown began, 1, 2, BANG! A perfectly executed pair of headshots.

Enjoy the Beast Master Hunting “Kill of the Month” for January 2018. For more information, please visit BeastMasterHunting.com.

About the Author

A former police officer, professional competition shooter by day and professional varmint hunter by night — that sentence sums up Nick Atkinson’s career. Since 2012, Atkinson has traveled the country, competing at the pro level in national level 3-gun competitions. In 2016, Atkinson decided to take his hunting to the next level. Shortly after, Beast Master Hunting was founded.

The post Coyote Hunting: 2 Headshots Simultaneously Drop 2 Predators on Hunt appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

One idea has held true for millennia: The very best products in any market are purpose- driven by the end-users. In simpler terms, the clients tell a company what they need, and they in turn produce said product. When that is done to exacting standards, incredible things can roll off production floors. This can be seen from time to time in the firearms industry, but for the most part it is driven by manufacturers making products they believe will do well in the market. However, one company, that still clings to the “build to client’s demands” mantra is Barrett Firearms. And nowhere is that more evident than with its newest AR-platform rifle, the REC10.

The REC10 is the big .308 Winchester/7.62mm NATO brother of the very popular REC7 in 5.56mm NATO. As you may have guessed, the gun is the product of ongoing demand from Barrett end-users and not just Joe Civilian shooters. Barrett has the widest variety of firearms in use by militaries around the world, and it is this elite clientele that pressed Barrett to fill an ever-growing need.

The Barrett Difference

While there are multiple AR-10-style rifles on the market, no single one has really risen to the top to lead the way. Barrett is about to change that. The company’s reputation in these circles is stellar, and it’s one reason why it has enjoyed the success it has. A sample of that reputation manifested itself when I spoke with Chris Barrett on the phone. The REC10 was not even on the shelf yet and his office was already hosting a delegation from the military crossing T’s and dotting I’s as they were already purchasing these guns for service. That speaks volumes about the quality of guns coming out of the Barrett shop. At this time, Barrett is going to offer a carbine-style version of the gun like the one I tested as well as a long-range version. I am sure there will be more to follow as well.

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The REC10 borrows many design features from the REC7 and yet maintains its own identity. This isn’t just a hastily assembled AR-10-style rifle. This is a well-thought-out and designed piece of engineering. Every detail has been carefully considered. A good example is the barrel. It is a button-rifled, chrome-lined design with a weight-optimized profile. Barrett took into consideration the fact that end- users would absolutely be putting optics and other pieces of kit on this gun. This helps offset the weight of the glass and keep the gun more balanced.

The gas tube and gas block are intermediate designs, or what I would classify as “functionally appropriate” for the gun. The benefits of this design are many, but the two primary points are this: The gun has dramatically less recoil and, in turn, is very accurate and fast on follow-up shots. A good description of it is a firm pulse as opposed to a hard recoil push. During shooting, I inspected the ejected brass and found no excessive pull marks on them, which is a good indication of a smooth-shooting gun. The other benefit is the weapon’s lifespan. A rifle is a mechanical device, and after prolonged violent cycles, it will begin to lose its accuracy and eventually its ability to function. The REC10 is designed for a long service life.

The handguard is an M-LOK design that is lightweight while providing sufficient room for accessories such as lights or laser-aiming devices. The upper and lower receivers are precision- machined from a billet of 7075-T6 aluminum for an exceptional fit. There was almost zero yaw or rattle between the upper and lower on my test sample. The REC10 also uses a DLC-treated bolt carrier group and a chrome-lined chamber.

This was an interesting choice, as many companies are choosing other lining options. When I asked Chris Barrett about it he said, “Nothing works better than chrome. Our guns are used in environments with silica-like sand and dust. With super-hot chamber temperatures, this stuff sticks to the chamber and ultimately begins to abrade it.” That abrasion will absolutely affect accuracy and ultimately the reliability of the gun.

The gun also sports an ambidextrous bolt release, an ambidextrous magazine release and a reversible safety with a 45-degree throw. All together, these features make the gun easy to manipulate. The back end of the gun brings us to the hydraulic buffer and ultimately the Magpul MOE-SL stock that finishes off the weapon.

Making Thunder

When I took this gun out for a test-drive, I tried to rig it as it may be used in a “business” environment. I included a Trijicon MRO and a Palmetto State Defense URS MK7 suppressor, essentially creating a lightweight .308 meant for fighting. I ran a vast spectrum of ammunition through the REC10 to see if it would have any issues or prefer one flavor over another. The menu for the day included 168-grain Tactical Bonded Tip, 185-grain Gold Medal Berger Open-Tip Match (OTM) and 168-grain Tipped MatchKing (TMK) ammo from Federal as well as Black Hills’ 175-grain Match HPs and Hornady’s 168-grain Black A-MAXs and 178-grain Match BTHPs.

I would like to say that I found one that performed well above the others, but that simply wasn’t the case. The REC10 took everything in and launched it out flawlessly with each press of the trigger. For the accuracy portion of the evaluation, I chose three mostly similar rounds, and in that, the Federal 168-grain TMKs won the prize for creating the smallest group. I was able to get a group measuring just 0.75 inches at 100 yards. This is significant considering that I was using an optic that had a 2-MOA dot. Granted, the rifle was benched with a sandbag so there almost zero movement, but it’s still impressive. I believe my groups could have easily been tighter if I had used a precision optic for the test.

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The REC10 is built with a QMS trigger group from ALG Defense. This is an important point because the gun is designed for duty and requires a mil-spec-style trigger. Would a super-nice drop-in competition trigger be a great addition? Sure, but this is not a competition gun. The pull of the QMS has the same general feel as a standard mil-spec trigger, but most of the grittiness of a stock trigger has been removed. In the end, the reliability of a stock trigger remains, however.

As I mentioned earlier, the gun is designed to run smoothly without harsh recoil. Coming in at 8.25 pounds unloaded, the gun is not a featherweight, but by no means is it a chore to carry. And with its ambidextrous controls, I also found the REC10 easy and fast to run. I ran multiple moving drills on steel with reloads, and the gun made the task pretty easy.

After I had accumulated a decent pile of brass, I made a quick optic change. I had the fortune of getting my hands on the Trijicon REAP-IR mini thermal riflescope and wanted to give it a try on this equally impressive rifle. The REAP-IR optimizes the SWAP (size, weight and power) mindset with its small packaging combined with lightweight, rugged features. It has incredible resolution and is light-years ahead of the competition. The REAP-IR is a touch over 20 ounces but was easy to manage. This setup proved to be a pretty solid low-light configuration, and I imagine this gun will be similarly configured in hostile environments. To say that it was almost “not fair” to shoot with this setup would be an understatement. In the end, this was one of the most enjoyable range sessions I have had in a long time.

Changing The Game

In the end, the Barrett REC10 has the potential to set the standard in AR-10-style rifles. This is not just an off-the-cuff statement but one based on knowing what Barrett has accomplished in the past. Chris Barrett said it best when he told me that the REC10 has “Barrett DNA infused into a .308 platform.” and that he is very proud Barrett rifles are “rifles that the hardest users in the world trust.” The REC10 is a solid weapon that is certain to change the semi-auto .308 world.

Barrett REC10 Review Specs

Barrett REC10 Performance

*Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in fps by chronograph and accuracy in inches for three 5-shot groups at 100 yards.

For more information, visit barrett.net.

This article was originally published in the February/March 2018 issue of “Tactical Weapons.” To order a copy and subscribe, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post REC10 Review: Running Barrett’s Newest AR-Platform Rifle appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

J. P. Sauer & Sohn, the oldest gun maker in Germany, has expanded its Sauer 100 bolt-action rifle lineup with five new models.

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Designed for range and field work, the new Sauer 100 rifles each feature a crisp, user adjustable single-stage trigger; three-position safety; cold hammer-forged barrel; and smooth action bolt. Sauer is guaranteeing a five-shot sub-MOA performance on these guns.

Here’s a quick description of each via the presser:

Available in five new configurations: The S100 Ceratech is coated in a cerakote film for ultimate durability; the S100 Pantera features a highly ergonomic stock, a heavy fluted barrel, adjustable comb and sculpted pistol grip designed for long-range shooting; the S100 Fieldshoot is a match-quality rifle using the same laminate stock as the Pantera without a coating and a heavier match barrel; the S100 Cherokee, with a synthetic digi-camo stock and tundra green cerakoted barrel and action, is designed to blend seamlessly into darker terrain and the S100 Atacama, as the name suggests, features a desert-sand cerakoted barrel and action.

Distributed by Blaser USA, the new Sauer 100 rifles are available in a number of different calibers at a suggested retail price ranging from $899 to $1,599. Features and specs for each are below. For more, go to sauer.de.

Sauer 100 Ceratech

• Synthetic stock, black
• 3-position safety
• Adjustable trigger pull weight: 1000g (2.2 lb) to 2000g (4 lb)
• Steel Receiver Surface: Cerakote Gray Ice
• Barrel Length: 560mm (22″), 620mm (24″) Mag.
• Barrel Taper: 17mm (0.67″)
• Optional: Threat cut M15x1, M14x1, 1/2×28 dep. on qty.
• Available Calibers: .223 Rem., .243 Win., .270 Win., 7mm-08, 6.5×55 SE, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, .308 Win., .30-06 Spring., 8×57 IS, 9.3×62, 7mm Rem. Mag., .300 Win. Mag
• MSRP: $899

Sauer 100 Pantera

• Adjustable vertical height
• Adjustable LOP (different spacers)
• Adjustable cheek piece
• Adjustable trigger pull weight: 1000g (2.2 lb) to 2000g (4 lb)
• Steel Receiver Surface: Cerakote Black Recon
• Lamented wood, Matte black
• Tactical cone knob
• Fluted Barrel
• Barrel Length: 510mm (22″), 560mm (22″) Mag.
• Barrel Taper: 19mm (0.75″)
• Factory threaded M17x1, 5/8×24
• Bipod Adapter
• Available Calibers: .223 Rem., .243 Win., 6.5 PRC, 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win., .30-06 Spring., .300 Win. Mag.
• MSRP: $1,599

Sauer 100 Fieldshoot

• Adjustable vertical height
• Adjustable LOP (different spacers)
• Adjustable cheek piece
• Adjustable trigger pull weight: 1000g (2.2 lb) to 2000g (4 lb)
• Steel Receiver Surface: Matte Blued
• Laminated wood, dark oiled
• Tactical cone knob
• Bipod Adapter
• Varmint/Match Barrel
• Barrel Length: 620mm (24″)
• Taper: 22mm (0.87″)
• Factory Threaded M17x1, 5/8×24
• Available Calibers: .223 Rem., 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, .308 Win.
• MSRP: $1,599

Sauer 100 Cherokee

• Synthetic Stock, Digi-Camo soft touch
• Steel Receiver Surface: Cerakote Tundra Green
• Adjustable trigger pull weight: 1000g (2.2 lb) to 2000g (4 lb)
• Bolt knob cerakoted
• Barrel Length: 560mm (22″), 620mm (24″) Mag.
• Barrel Taper: 17mm (0.67″)
• Optional: Thread cut M15x1, M14x1, 1/2×28 dep. on qty.
• Available Calibers: .223 Rem., .243 Win., .270 Win., 7mm-08, 6.5×55 SE, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, .308 Win., .30-06 Spring., 8×57 IS, 9.3×62, 7mm Rem. Mag., .300 Win. Mag
• MSRP: $1,100

Sauer 100 Atacama

• Synthetic Stock, Digi-Camo soft touch
• Steel Receiver Surface: Cerakote Desert Sand
• Options: HexaLock, Picatinny rail
• Adjustable trigger pull weight: 1000g (2.2 lb) to 2000g (4 lb)
• Bolt knob cerakoted
• Barrel Length: 560mm (22″), 620mm (24″) Mag.
• Barrel Taper: 17mm (0.67″)
• Optional: Thread cut M15x1, M14x1, 1/2×28 dep. on qty.
• Available Calibers: .223 Rem., .243 Win., .270 Win., 7mm-08, 6.5×55 SE, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, .308 Win., .30-06 Spring., 8×57 IS, 9.3×62, 7mm Rem. Mag., .300 Win. Mag
• MSRP: $1,200/$1,300

The post J. P. Sauer & Sohn Releases Five New Sauer 100 Bolt-Action Rifles appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

This article on the 1911 duty pistol is from the October/November 2016 issue of “Guns and Weapons For Law Enforcement” magazine.

A strange phenomenon has occurred in the last several years in the law enforcement firearms community. The 1911-pattern .45 ACP pistol has made a significant resurgence in acceptance as a patrol or primary duty pistol.

This can be both a good and bad thing, depending on the end-users. The first pistol I ever owned was a Colt Series 70 Government Model. I have never been ­without a 1911 and never will be. They are ­probably my favorite handguns ever made, but they are not for everyone. One really needs to put some serious thought into their level of dedication to the system before they decide to make it a primary duty pistol for LE use.

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One of the range masters at my old LE agency asked me at one point, “Why do you have the only 1911s that never have problems?” My response: “­Because I use Colts, and they all have over $2,000 of work in them.”

As Larry Vickers has so eloquently stated in the past, “The 1911 is no longer a service pistol—it is an enthusiast pistol.” Model 1911s need a different level of dedication for hard service use. When officers start buying guns in the same price range as their current polymer-framed service guns and go 10-8 (in service), they will quickly run into problems. For instance, higher round counts and shooting 1911s hard requires long and expensive relationships with gunsmiths. Even high-end gunsmiths will not help many LE officers with their 1911s, because if the gunsmith is good, they have a long waiting list. Then issues arise with the regular required maintenance. So where does an officer carrying a 1911-style pistol go for help? 10-8 Consulting has come through in spades in this area.

1911 Duty Pistol Experts

As a disclaimer, I have a very long association with the operations at 10-8 Consulting, but I’ve always been at the bottom of the knowledge base when it came to the idiosyncrasies of the 1911. Thankfully, 10-8 Consulting offers a two-day Duty 1911 Course. Because the 1911 pistol requires a more sophisticated end-user to properly operate and maintain the 1911 than modern service pistols, this class is geared towards providing the training needed. This sounded like what I needed, so I signed up for one of the first classes held in Liberty Hill, Texas. To say that I learned a ton is an understatement. The instructional background of the staff provided a unique, real-world level of experience.

Hilton Yam is an active-duty LEO in a large, well-known government agency and is tasked with both supporting and training numerous agents with a large number of issued 1911 pistols. Hilton is also a very accomplished gunsmith in his own right and an exceptional shooter with a long pedigree in this field. He has trained with, and been mentored by, a very large group of the most established names in the 1911 world. He is not the only expert, however.

Other trainers include Tim Lau, Erick Gelhaus, Joe Riedy and Dean Caputo. They are all experts in the use of 1911s as a duty pistol. They also all serve or have served with law enforcement agencies. With this kind of instructional background, you have ­teachers who have a huge amount of real experience in keeping hundreds of 1911s running in a hard-use duty environment with a wide variety of end-users, rather than keeping a single gun running.

Dispelling Myths

Right out of the gate, the 10-8 crew makes it clear that every part in the 1911 pistol is fitted. It was a gun that heralded from a time when precision machinery was expensive and skilled labor was cheap. The same is not true today. They addressed the time-honored argument of “the military used it without any issues” as well.

The 10-8 team also shared a rare piece of information with the class: The U.S. military’s ordnance department had several “go/no go” gauges for evaluating every single part in a 1911 pistol. This allowed all the parts to be “fitted” prior to entering the logistics system for the military from the vendors. These were guns designed for use with a seven-round magazine and FMJ ball ammunition.

The second you get away from the initial design parameters, there are cause and effect issues. Today, you have numerous makers using different standards, different safety systems, multiple magazine variances and many of the various parts are made with differing goals and end-users in mind—competition, defense, recreational, and target shooting, to name a few. Combine this with the large variance in ammunition that is typically used by law enforcement agencies and you can have a lot of issues. These factors were all discussed in depth, and they should be considered when selecting and maintaining a 1911 for duty use.

We learned to fully disassemble our pistols and evaluate critical parts. In all the years of shooting and carrying 1911 pistols, I have never disassembled a gun to the bare frame. We also learned various ways to fieldstrip the gun. The instructors then went on to discuss common modifications and their pros and cons. Next came discussions about maintenance, upkeep and parts replacement schedules. We spent the first day entirely in the classroom, and the students found the lessons to be extremely valuable.

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Even though most of the students were experienced with the 1911 pistol, it was painfully obvious that we were all ­learning a lot of new things. During the course, Hilton Yam worked on many students’ guns, as issues appeared over two days. There were 16 students with working, quality guns when we started. During the class, Hilton fixed five plunger tubes, nine extractors, two with hammer issues, two loose sights, and two loose grip screw bushings. The complexities of keeping the 1911 running for duty status became crystal clear.

Performance

Day Two started on the range. We shot a special 56-round course specifically designed to identify gun and magazine issues. Several folks left the line and spent some time with Hilton correcting the problems. We spent the rest of the day conducting various drills to maximize our performance with the 1911 pistols.

I used my current carry 1911 “beater.” It is a custom-built 1911 from Mars Armament using a Nighthawk GRP frame, Caspian slide, Kart match barrel, a slew of 10-8 Performance parts and “Frag” grips from Monkey Edge. This gun was seen by Larry Vickers in the past, and Hilton did a little extractor work and an evaluation. I had zero malfunctions. When I did my job, small groups appeared on the targets. It took some time to “un-Glock” my trigger finger, but after this class, I fell in love with the 1911 platform again and came away with a new level of confidence.

I used a full Kydex rig from Raven Concealment Systems on both CSM and Ares Gear duty belts. All of my gear functioned well and reinforced why I use top-of-the-line gear. Ammunition and magazines will often cause major problems with the 1911. All eight of my Chip McCormick black PowerMag magazines with 10-8 basepads functioned without an issue. Black Hills ammo was highly recommended by the 10-8 staff, and it ran very well in my pistol.

I came away from this class with far more than two days’ worth of knowledge. 10-8 packs a ton of information into a short period. It is training that any serious, professional 1911 user should take. If you are responsible in any capacity for instructing or maintaining 1911-style pistols for a law enforcement agency, this class should be on the top of your list as a critical need. I also highly recommend this class for those considering adopting the 1911 to really prepare properly for what it takes to run a successful program right from the start. This course is available in various locations throughout the U.S.

For more information, visit 10-8consulting.com

The post The Case for Carrying a 1911 as a Duty Pistol and How To Do it Right appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

Modularity is all the rage these days. Thanks to the U.S. Army’s XM17 pistol contract, it’s been at the forefront of the firearms world for some time now. The biggest component of this request for manufacturers was for a pistol that could easily be configured and reconfigured to handle several different uses. Sounds like a good idea, right? One serialized “module” that can be adapted with various frames, slides, barrels.

Military and law enforcement personnel have been asking for modularity like this for years—anything that makes it easy for an armorer to fit different users and/or different missions without issuing separate guns. Having been a police armorer, I can tell you that this concept certainly has some value. Rather than issue a different pistol for detectives, tactical units or even undercover assignments, you just swap all the parts, using the same internals as needed. Keep a few trigger modules around, and if a pistol goes down, you can swap it out while you make repairs. What if you want to change calibers or grip sizes? Sounds pretty slick if it works—and the Sig P320 system works.

Everything P320

I tested the Sig P320 when it was initially introduced in 2014, and it quickly became one of my favorite pistols. Its accuracy was excellent. It worked every time. My test pistol from 2014 is still in the hands of a colleague, and it’s just as accurate and reliable after sending thousands of rounds downrange. The only modifications were an Apex Tactical flat trigger and Trijicon HD sights. In the case of one very intensive class, the pistol digested over 2,000 rounds in a week without a single malfunction.

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Sig Sauer’s P320 is now available in 11 different configurations, ranging from the Subcompact with a 3.6-inch barrel to Full-Size models using 4.7-inch barrels. Every model has SIGLITE night sights and a Picatinny rail for accessories (aside from the Subcompact). The RX models even come with ROMEO1 reflex sights. The TACOPS Carry model sports a threaded barrel for suppressor use. Sig’s latest P320 design, the X-Five, has a 5-inch barrel and a frame similar in shape to the company’s aluminum Elite frames. Of course, with each variant, three different frame sizes are available. The guns come with “medium” grip modules installed, but you can order smaller or larger versions in black, olive drab or Flat Dark Earth for $44.

Conversion Kits

The Sig P320 trigger mechanism fits in all of these variants, and you can remove it and reinstall it without tools, in the field, in very short order. Conversions kits consisting of a complete slide assembly (including a barrel and return spring), a new frame and a magazine are available in every size. For chamberings, you can choose between the 9mm, .357 SIG and .40 S&W; each is $407. Higher-capacity magazines (as high as 21 rounds in 9mm) will fit any of the smaller grip modules. In short, it’s possible to pretty much mix and match, as long as the slide is the proper length for your chosen grip frame, for real modularity.

Test Models

In 2014, I tested the Sig P320 in Compact and Full-Size guises. This time around, I got my hands on a P320 RX Compact. I’ve grown fond of reflex sights for carry, so it seemed like a good choice. And you can’t beat its price at $1,040 for what’s included. My only addition was a flat trigger from Apex Tactical. I then altered one of my AIWB holsters to fit the included ROMEO1 sight and put the system to work after some brief testing.

Next, I acquired a Full-Size conversion kit and a set of Sig’s X-Ray day/night sights. I’ve run these sights on a couple of Legion pistols, and they are now among my favorites. For OWB carry and competition. I picked up a Phantom holster from Raven Concealment Systems. This rig is light, fits tight to the body, and every P320 configuration I tested fit in it. The plan was to use the Full-Size pistol for duty-style practice along with tactical classes or competing in IDPA matches, and carry the RX Compact. The trigger’s factory-specified pull weight should work for most police policy requirements and service auto competitive divisions.

Born To Run

Finally, I obtained an X-Five Full-Size kit—perfect for Limited division competitions as well as 3-Gun. This grip module has a deeply undercut triggerguard, a higher backstrap and an extended beavertail. A grip weight is also included for better balance, but it can be removed if needed. The slide sports a fiber-optic front sight as well as an adjustable rear sight that can be removed and replaced with a ROMEO1 optic if needed. The magazine well funnel isn’t too obtrusive, and it can also be removed easily.

The 5-inch bull barrel and lightened slide make the Sig P320 X-Five Full-Size both fast and accurate. The large controls make it easy to reload the pistol’s extended 21-round magazines. But maybe the best feature is the flat trigger, which is tuned to a very crisp 4 pounds.

Switching Things Up

Swapping parts around on this system is incredibly simple. Remove the magazine, make sure the pistol is completely empty, lock the slide to the rear and push the slide lock lever all the way forward. Release the slide and remove it (you do not have to press the trigger). Now remove the slide locking lever, and the trigger mechanism will come right out. Reverse this process to put everything back together again. It’s that simple.

As an armorer, you can change entire grip sizes in a couple minutes, and the operative term here is “grip.” It’s not just a backstrap change—the entire module is matched in size. Moving to the small grip module on a P320 Compact for one of my customers was a true game-changer. Injuries he sustainted from an accident made this the only pistol of this size he could comfortably grasp.

Need to work on the trigger mechanism? No more fiddling with tiny parts inside the frame. I would take the Full-Size variant apart to clean it after training; reassembling it as a Compact for carry was quick and easy. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it works. For someone like me who goes back and forth on all kinds of projects, this setup saves time and money.

Trigger Time

The Compact variant wasn’t new to me, but the ROMEO1 reflex sight was, and it worked just fine. It’s easy to adjust and is clear with an adjustable output level. You can also switch out its battery without removing the sight. The SIGLITE sights co-witness in the bottom of the ROMEO1’s window. With this gun, it was easy to hit 6-inch plates at 30 yards with ease, even single-handed. This is where a reflex sight really shines for me, and the RX Compact worked very well.

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Then I removed the trigger mechanism and installed it in the Full-Size grip and matching slide, which provided equally accurate results. And with this setup, I installed a SureFire X400 so I could use one of the company’s MasterFire holsters, making it just about perfect for tactical deployments. Configured this way, the P320 remains one of the most accurate and reliable polymer-framed pistols I’ve ever used, and I’ve already run this variant at a couple events.

Shooting the P320 X-Five is quite pleasant. It’s far more accurate than my capabilities will allow. It shoots so softly that you’ll wonder if the gun actually fired. The fiber-optic front sight pops out at you in sunlight, and the adjustable rear sight allowed me to tune the gun for some reloads.

I ran the X-Five through a number of IPSC-style drills, and its performance rivaled that of my $4,000 high-capacity 1911. Its trigger is noticeably lighter and measured a tad over 4 pounds instead of the standard model’s 5.5 pounds. The reset is short and quick; I’m just not sure it gets much better than this.

Mod To The Max

If you can buy separate pistols, more power to you, but many cannot, making modularity useful. After running various P320 configurations, I would start with the X-Five Full-Size pistol—its trigger is that good. I moved it in and out of all my various grip modules, and it worked perfectly every time. Pick up the conversion kit you prefer (Subcompact, Compact, Full-Size, etc.) and swap the trigger in and out. If you compete, set it up for the match, then swap things around for everyday carry. Add other conversions as needed, including different calibers.

To carry two guns on duty or concealed, start with a Compact and a Full-Size and pick up a Subcompact conversion kit. Carry the Compact off-duty, but switch to the Subcompact setup for uniformed work. Your Full-Size is pistol one; the Subcompact is a backup with interchangeable magazines. If you compete using 9mm rounds but prefer (or are required) to use the .40 S&W or .357 SIG for duty, for example, pick up the X-Five and a .40-caliber conversion kit. Use the standard grip frame in .40 S&W if you must, or just swap out the slide and magazines and you are set while still getting the excellent trigger of the match-ready X-Five. It really is pretty impressive how much you can mix and match with this system.

Final Thoughts

In the end, modularity like this isn’t for everyone, but it’s just about perfect for me since I can use the same basic setup for concealed carry, duty and competition—all with the same trigger mechanism. Having been on trips where I attended three different training schools, the P320 can serve as a primary or secondary pistol, even a dedicated competition gun, often using the same holster.

Sig Sauer is offering more P320 options with each passing year. My guess is that winning the U.S. Army’s XM17 contract will only help improve on that. Modularity may be the “word of the day” in the industry, but the Sig P320 meets that definition as well as any, and better than most. Make sure you check it out.

Sig P320 Full-Size

• Caliber: 9mm
• Barrel: 4.7 inches
• OA Length: 8 inches
• Weight: 29.5 ounces (empty)
• Grip: Polymer
• Sights: SIGLITE night
• Action: Striker-fired
• Finish: Matte black
• Capacity: 17+1
• MSRP: $679

Sig P320 RX Compact

• Caliber: 9mm
• Barrel: 3.9 inches
• OA Length: 7.2 inches
• Weight: 25.8 ounces (empty)
• Grip: Polymer
• Sights: SIGLITE night, ROMEO1
• Action: Striker-fired
• Finish: Matte black
• Capacity: 15+1
• MSRP: $1,040

Sig P320 X-Five Full-Size

• Caliber: 9mm
• Barrel: 5 inches
• OA Length: 8.5 inches
• Weight: 35.6 ounces (empty)
• Grip: Polymer
• Sights: Fiber-optic front, adjustable rear
• Action: Striker-fired
• Finish: Matte black
• Capacity: 21+1
• MSRP: $1,005

For more information, visit sigsauer.com.

This article was originally published in the February/March 2018 issue of “Tactical Weapons.” To order a copy and subscribe, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Testing Modularity with 3 Different Versions of the SIG P320 appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

Last year, Ernest Langdon and his company Langdon Tactical teamed up with Beretta to launch the customized PX4 Compact Carry. Now, Langdon Tactical is introducing the PX4 Carry.

PX4 Carry Features

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Chambered in 9mm, the PX4 Carry is a full-size version of the PX4 Compact Carry, boasting all the same bells and whistles associated with that gun in a bigger package. It features AmeriGlo Night Sights; Talon Grips; Beretta Competition Trigger Group; Stealth Levers; Extended Mag Button; Reduced Weight Hammer Spring and Sniper Gray Cerakote Slide.

The PX4 Carry is available with the added option of a Langdon Tactical trigger job. It also comes in black and comes with all of the above, except for the Cerakote slide and Competition Trigger Group.

“Underrated is an understatement,”  Ernest Langdon said in a press release. “After shooting 50,000 rounds through the same PX4 Carry in one year, I truly believe this is the most underrated service pistol of modern time.”

Shipping out with two 17-round magazines and one 20-round magazine, the Langdon Tactical Beretta PX4 Carry is available at a MSRP ranging from $695 to $875, depending on the options you go with.

For more information about this new custom pistol and all the other services Langdon Tactical offers, go to langdontactical.com.

The post NEW: Langdon Tactical’s Full-Size Beretta PX4 Carry Pistol appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

The advantages of being able to fire multiple projectiles simultaneously have been well established. In terms of firearms, even the earliest examples included cannons and blunderbusses loaded with multiple projectiles to beat back attacking soldiers, defend against highwaymen and board enemy ships. And different objectives could be achieved by varying the size of the projectiles. Very small and lightweight projectiles proved ideal for hunting birds while heavy projectiles were more effective for self-defense. Eventually, the projectiles, or shot, became standardized. We now have a plethora of shot options and loads for our modern shotguns.

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While many people think of a shotgun as more of a hunting or home-defense weapon than a tactical firearm, this is a mistake. The tactical shotgun can trace its roots back to World War I, when 12 gauges were equipped with bayonets and heat shields to clear trenches. Of course, historically, the shotgun has also been a law enforcement staple and has seen continuous service in the U.S. military. However, the preference has always been for pump-action shotguns, not semi-autos. When it comes to semi-automatic shotguns, the weapon’s strength has also been its weakness. It is not always easy to keep a semi-auto shotgun working reliably with different loads in extreme conditions.

Over the years, manufacturers have sought different mechanisms to make the semi-automatic shotgun flawlessly reliable with any type of load. Leave it to the oldest—and still family owned—continuously operating firearms manufacturer in the world to solve the problem once and for all. When Beretta, which is over 500 years old, introduced the 1301 Tactical, I was invited to a multi-day “Tactical Summit” to put the gun through its paces.

Plenty Of Features

The Beretta 1301 Tactical is a gas-operated, semi-automatic 12 gauge chambered for 2¾- and 3-inch shells. It has a tubular magazine with a 5+1 capacity using 2¾-inch shells (or 4+1 with 3-inch shells). The cold-hammer-forged, 18.5-inch barrel has a fixed cylinder bore, or what Beretta calls its “Optima-Bore,” and is rated for firing standard and steel ammunition.

At the heart of the Beretta 1301 Tactical is a distinct gas system that is designed to function with different loads and cycle faster than any other shotgun. Indeed, Beretta promises that the Blink gas system will cycle and fire 36-percent faster than any other semi-auto shotgun on the market. One of the main challenges to semi-auto shotgun reliability has always been carbon fouling. The 1301 Tactical uses a cross-tube gas piston with an elastic scraper that works like a gasket. This means the gas system cleans itself after every shot for continued smooth operation.

The controls on the Beretta 1301 Tactical are very well designed and thought out. The push-button safety located at the front of the large, polymer triggerguard is oversized and features a distinct red circle to indicate that the shotgun is in the “fire” condition. The safety will only function when the internal hammer is in the cocked position, and it’s reversible for left-handed shooters, although the manual does not explain how to do this. Fortunately, there is the Internet. The right-side charging handle is also oversized and easy to operate with gloves. To lock the charging handle to the rear for loading, the carrier-stop push button, located at the bottom rear of the cartridge loading gate, must be fully depressed. The right-side bolt release is also oversized and textured for easy operation.

More Details

The tactical sights are very robust and well protected, with a large white dot on the front sight post and two white dots on the fully adjustable ghost-ring rear. The sights can also be removed and replaced if you prefer a different sight picture or want to add tritium sights for low-light conditions, for example. A short 3-inch Picatinny rail system comes factory-installed on top of the receiver. This is well suited for a small red-dot sight.

The standard factory stock is very comfortable and well designed. The long polymer forend allows the barrel to sit low for a better grip and features aggressive checkering while remaining thin and comfortable. The polymer stock has matching aggressive checkering for a firm grip, and it’s also adjustable for length of pull. It comes with a very short 13.5-inch length of pull as standard to keep the shotgun very compact. Indeed, the overall length is nearly an inch and a half less than my Remington 870 with an 18-inch barrel.

At the Beretta Tactical Summit, nearly a dozen of us tested the 1301 Tactical in an all-day session firing a mix of slugs, buckshot and birdshot. The gun proved very easy to handle while being lightweight, but thanks to the gas system, the recoil was extremely manageable even with slugs. I did not experience any malfunctions, even after firing over 300 rounds. A couple of the other shooters had minor issues, but these were fixed by adding some lube to the action.

Easy Upgrades

While Beretta has done a commendable job of making the 1301 very tactical, it isn’t quite tactical enough for me. It’s not the company’s fault, as it must make the shotgun so it can still be imported, and the sporting gun restrictions make a more tactical shotgun difficult if not impossible to bring into the U.S. Thankfully, there are plenty of aftermarket parts for the 1301.

Mesa Parts

I contacted Mesa Tactical to set me up with the works. With limited ammunition capacity, you want to be able to access extra rounds fast, and there is no better option available today than a side-mounted shell carrier. Mesa offers an excellent and durable carrier for this shotgun: the SureShell Aluminum Carrier and Rail. This hardcoat anodized 6061-T6 aluminum unit is extremely durable to take plenty of abuse. The left-side shell holder carries six spare rounds of ammunition, although four- and eight-round versions are also available.

The shells are held in place thanks to an internal strip of Santoprene. This secures the shells in a brass up or down position until you need them. This one-piece unit also includes a top Picatinny rail section for mounting optics, and it’s easily installed and secured using the drilled and tapped holes on top of the shotgun’s receiver without gunsmithing

The standard Beretta 1301 Tactical stock is functional and comfortable, but Mesa Tactical’s Urbino Pistol Grip Stock not only looks cooler but offers several distinct advantages as well. The injection-molded nylon stock is extremely durable with a short length of pull at 12.5 inches. This allows for comfortable use with body armor or heavy clothing. The pistol grip features soft rubber overmolding that offers a very secure purchase and helps tame recoil. However, it is the optional LimbSaver buttpad that really absorbs even the heaviest recoil while helping to keep the stock firmly on the shoulder. The stock also features an optional cheek riser for taller optics and several different sling attachment options.

More Upgrades

The five-round magazine capacity was still an issue for a truly tactical shotgun, so I installed a two-round magazine extension from Nordic Components. The all-metal MXT extension kit increased the 1301’s magazine capacity to a full seven rounds, ending flush with the front of the barrel. The kit includes an exclusive barrel clamp for increased rigidity, with a Picatinny rail on one side for accessories such as lights and lasers and a QD sling swivel point on the other.

Lastly, I topped the Beretta 1301 Tactical with the appropriately small and effective Steiner Micro Reflex Sight (MRS). This sight features a fully adjustable 3-MOA dot, automatic and manual brightness controls, and a tough hardcoat anodized aluminum housing. The MRS is water- and shockproof to 10 meters and runs for 550 hours on a single battery. For extended battery life, the MRS also features an auto-off feature, shutting the unit off after eight hours.

Range Workout

Over several days of testing at my home range, the Beretta 1301 Tactical functioned flawlessly using a mix of birdshot, buckshot and slugs. The recoil, even using slugs, was extremely manageable. The semi-auto action and LimbSaver recoil pad help a lot in this regard. The shotgun also had very little muzzle rise, so fast follow-up shots were easily accomplished. The Mesa Tactical Urbino stock significantly improved the shotgun’s ease of handling and controllability.

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To test the shotgun’s patterning capabilities, I used my favorite defensive load, Federal’s 00 buckshot Personal Defense rounds. From 15 yards, I fired 10 of these rounds off-hand. My patterns ranged from 2 to 4 inches with an average of 2.85 inches. This is very tight patterning for a home-defense shotgun. I also tested the Beretta l using Hornady FTX Lite slugs, yielding a center-mass group of 4 inches.

There is no question that the tactical shotgun has reached a new zenith in the Beretta 1301 Tactical, especially when combined with upgrades from Mesa Tactical and Nordic Components. The way in which this shotgun absorbs recoil and handles, even for smaller shooters, makes it ideal for home defense with most any family member. The reliable action removes the likelihood of a user short-stroking the action—something common with pump actions in stressful situations—and provides for lightning-fast shooting against multiple targets.

Beretta 1301 Tactical Specs

• Gauge: 12; 3-inch chamber
• Barrel: 18.5 inches
• OA Length: 37.8 inches
• Weight: 6.3 pounds (empty)
• Stock: Synthetic
• Sights: Front post, ghost-ring rear
• Action: Semi-auto
• Finish: Matte black
• Capacity: 5+1 (2 3/4-inch shells)
• MSRP: $1,075

Beretta 1301 Tactical Performance

*Buckshot pattern in inches for 10 shots at 15 yards. Slug accuracy in inches for best five-shot group at 25 yards.

For More Information

Beretta
beretta.com

Mesa Tactical
mesatactical.com

Nordic Components
nordiccomp.com

This article was originally published in the February/March 2018 issue of “Tactical Weapons.” To order a copy and subscribe, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Revamping the Beretta 1301 Tactical Shotgun with a Few DIY Upgrades appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

Savage Arms has unleashed a ton of new products thus far in 2018 including the 110 Engage Hunter XP rifle. Designed for hunters and other serious shooters, the rifle is ready to rock right out of the box. It combines the company’s Model 110 platform with a factory-mounted, bore-sighted Bushnell Engage riflescope.

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The 110 Engage Hunter XP is available in 16 different calibers, including 243 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm-08 Rem., 260 Rem., 308 Win., 270 WSM, 300 WSM, 338 Federal, 25-06 Rem., 270 Win., 6.5X284 Norma, 30-06 Sprg., 7mm Rem. Mag, 300 Win Mag., 338 Win. Mag. and 280 Ackley Improved. Barrel length is 22 or 24 inches depending on the caliber.

Meanwhile, length of pull is customizable for comfort and consistency, and the AccuTrigger offers a light, crisp pull. The rifle also sports improved ergonomics which cull improved accuracy from its 110 action, floating bolt head, and thread-in, zero-tolerance headspace system, “while the optic’s drop-compensating reticle makes it easier to place precise shots at longer ranges,” the press release says.

Shipping out with a detachable box magazine, the MSRP on the 110 Engage Hunter XP is $629. See the breakdown of features and specs below, along with a video. For more, visit savagearms.com.

110 Engage Hunter XP Features

• Adjustable length-of-pull
• User-adjustable AccuTrigger
• New Model 110 design and ergonomics
• Detachable box magazine
• Black synthetic stock
• Matte blued barrel
• Weaver Grand Slam rings and bases
• Bushnell Engage 3-9x40mm scope with drop-compensating reticle, mounted and boresighted

110 Engage Hunter XP Specs

• Calibers: 243 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm-08 Rem., 260 Rem., 308 Win., 270 WSM, 300 WSM, 338 Federal, 25-06 Rem., 270 Win., 6.5X284 Norma, 30-06 Sprg., 7mm Rem. Mag., 300 Win Mag, 338 Win. Mag. and 280 Ackley Improved
• OAL: 42.6″ – 45.6″
• Barrel Length: 22-24″
• Weight: 7.25 – 8.25 lbs.
• Round Capacity: 2-4
• Length of Pull: 13.8″

The post New From Savage Arms: 110 Engage Hunter XP Rifle appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

Florida-based Black Aces Tactical offers a variety of accessories for the Mossberg Shockwave firearm; the latest addition to the lineup is the availability of hand-finished walnut furniture.

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Introduced in response to customer demand, the wood forearm and pistol grip gives the Mossberg Shockwave a classic look that is sure to appeal to old school shooters.

“The wood gives the weapon a great feel and a warm glow. Nothing sets off the look of the weapon more,” the product listing says.

Black Aces has commissioned 40 sets of the hand-finished walnut furniture. The anticipated ship date is March 7, so you’re gonna want to get in on this sooner rather than later.

The price on this package is $199. If you order up Black Aces’ quad rail and side shell combo for the Mossberg Shockwave, the company will thrown in a magazine spike free of charge.

Mossberg Shockwave Basics

The 12-gauge pump-action Mossberg 590 Shockwave features a 14-inch barrel, Shockwave Raptor bird’s head pistol grip and an overall length of 26.37 inches. The ATF classifies it as a “non-NFA firearm” and thus doesn’t require a tax stamp for transfers.

Since introducing it to great fanfare at the beginning of last year, Mossberg has expanded the Shockwave with new versions, including a 20-gauge model released in October, and two new 12-gauge variants: the 590 Shockwave Flat Dark Earth (FDE) Cerakote-finished receiver and barrel option and the portable 590 JIC (Just In Case) Shockwave with stainless Cerakote metal finishes.

The launch of the Shockwave resulted in a number of companies releasing accessories for it. Black Aces Tactical, with its new hand-finished walnut furniture, is one such company.

For more on Black Aces Tactical, visit blackacestactical.com.

The post Black Aces Tactical Unveils Wood Furniture for Mossberg Shockwave appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.