GW-15-04-COVER.

qxp 2/6/15 3:20 AM Page US_C1

Special: SHOT SHOW Product Reviews

REDEFINED RIMFIRES OLD WEST

Ruger’s Charger Pistols SCATTERGUN DUO
Century Arms PW87
& JW-2000
GREAT GUN,
GREAT PRICE
Browning AB3 Rifle

TOMMY
GUN TALES
History
Of The
Thompson
SMG

Power To Spare

COONAN
.357 Magnum Compact
APR 2015 • VOLUME 56, NO.4 • $4.99 U.S.
DISPLAY UNTIL: 04/07/15 • www.gunworld.com

RED LIGHT RUGER GUNSMITHING 04

10/22 Carbine With LaserMAX Laser Glock 17 Barrel Replacement
0 74470 03105 5
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GW_1504_C2 2/3/15 1:51 AM Page C2

BUILT ONE AT A TIME.

PROVEN EVERY ROUND.
The Mustang® has been a favorite of customers for years. Updated with
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option for concealed carry. But the most important stories belong to the
men and women who have owned and relied on Colt through the decades.
Make your story include a Colt.

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GW_1504_C2 2/2/15 6:43 AM Page 3

WIDE ALUMINUM TRIGGER PHOTOLUMINESCENT SIGHT STAINLESS GUIDE ROD

Wide, Red-Anodized, Photoluminescent Front Sight, Polished, Stainless Steel

Skeletonized Aluminum Trigger Drift Adjustable Rear Sight Guide Rod

The Ruger ® LCP ® Custom is a compact .380 Auto pistol designed with the shooter in mind.
Affordable and comfortable, the Ruger ® LCP ® Custom is perfect for licensed carry for personal protection, or
as a backup firearm for law enforcement. The Ruger ® LCP ® Custom features a polished, stainless steel guide
rod; a wide red-anodized, skeletonized aluminum trigger for a lighter felt trigger pull; a photoluminescent front
sight for low light conditions; and a square edge, drift adjustable rear sight that facilitates slide manipulation.

RUGER.COM/LCP ©2015 Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. 011815

GW-TOC-4-5 2/6/15 1:28 AM Page 4

CONTENTS APRIL 2015

FEATURES
8 SHOT Show New
Product Section
14 Bulked Up and
Ready to Rumble 90 Wild West
54 Laser Shotguns
Dan Coonan re-launched
his pistol brand in 2009 Maximized Rifle Thanks to Century
with the full-size Coonan A Ruger 10/22 carbine Arms, we can step
Classic model, and he with an onboard back to the Old West
has been working to LaserMax laser makes with two amazing
meet demand for the this popular rifle more reproductions of select
pistols ever since. accurate than ever. era shotguns.
By Mike Dickerson By Dave Workman By Jerry Catania

24 Ruger Redefines
Rimfires
Ruger’s new and improved
Charger pistol is available
in a Standard model and a
44
Takedown version, and both
feature laminate stocks and
are built on the 10/22 action.
By Dave Workman

34 High-Value Asset
Browning’s A-Bolt 3 may
be inexpensive, but it’s not
a cheap gun. It has all the
features you’d expect from a
high-quality rifle with a price
tag almost anyone can afford.
Photo courtesy of IWM

By Brad Fitzpatrick

44 Tommy Gun Tales

In 1916, General John T.
Thompson developed a small
automatic rifle better suited
GUN WORLD (ISSN 0017-5641) Volume 56, Number 4, is published monthly, 12 times a year
to trench warfare. Nearly a
by Engaged Media Inc, 22840 Savi Ranch Parkway, #200, Yorba Linda, CA 92887. Periodical
century later, our own Mr. postage paid at Anaheim, CA, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address
Thompson highlights the changes to Gun World c/o Engaged Media Inc., VSI, Inc. 905 Kent St., Liberty, MO 64068.
SMG’s colorful history. Return undelivered Canadian addresses to: Gun World c/o Pitney Bowes, Inc. PO Box 25542,
London, ON N6C 6B GST#855050365RT001
By Leroy Thompson

4 GUN WORLD | APRIL 2015 www.gunworld.com

GW-TOC-4-5 2/6/15 1:28 AM Page 5

COLUMNS

Photo by Mike Dickerson

6 Up Front
– Craig Hodgkins

64 Today’s Hunter
– Thomas C. Tabor 14
70 Reload
– James E. House

76 Handguns
– Dave Workman

82 Gunsmithing
– Steve Sieberts

98 Back Pages: ON THE COVER:

Photograph by
– Craig Hodgkins Mike Dickerson
Cover design by Johann
Frederick Mendoza

www.gunworld.com APRIL 2015 | GUN WORLD 5

GW-UPFRONT-6-7 2/6/15 1:36 AM Page 6

UP FRONT

SHOT Thots
APRIL 2015 • VOLUME 56 • NUMBER 4

EDITORIAL
Editor in Chief: Craig Hodgkins
Associate Editor: Lee Boyt
Managing Editor: Mark Heisser
Senior Creative Director: Eric Knagg
Art Director: Johann Frederick Mendoza

CONTRIBUTORS
By Craig Hodgkins Todd Burgreen, Jerry Catania, Mike Dickerson,
Brad Fitzpatrick, Paul Hantke, James House, Jameson
Parker, D.K. Pridgen, John Raguso, Steve Sieberts, Dave
Spaulding, Tom Tabor, Chuck Taylor, Leroy Thompson,
Martin Topper, Dave Workman
Yes, I was at the 2015 SHOT more than a crazy cacophony of
ADVERTISING
Show, and yes, I am going to write product launches and press confer- Gabe Frimmel: Ad Sales Director
(714) 200-1930 [email protected]
Casey Clifford: Senior Account Executive
about it here. Now that we have ences. It’s about relationships. It is (717) 896-8956
Mark Pack: Senior Account Executive
that out of the way, we can all the one show where I can catch up (714) 200-1939
Gennifer Merriday: Ad Traffic Coordinator
move on. with the majority of the writers who DIRECT MARKETING GROUP
John Bartulin (866) 866-5146 ext. 2746
My biggest takeaway from this work so hard to produce quality Paul Caca (866) 866-5146 ext. 4961
Ryan Lauro (866) 866-5146 ext. 2756
iteration of SHOT? I would love to content for this magazine and so Mary Ann Jaca (866) 866-5146 ext. 2716

have a cut of the tactical pants many others, and it is a great place OPERATIONS
Gus Alonzo: Newsstand Sales & Marketing Manager
Celia Merriday: Newsstand Analyst
concession. Each year, more and to connect with new talent. Mohit Patel: Newsstand & Production Analyst
Alberto Chavez: Senior Logistics & Facilities Manager
more attendees seem to figure out It’s the best opportunity to sup- John Cabral: Creative Graphic Designer

EDITORIAL, PRODUCTION & SALES OFFICE

that supplemental pocket space port our sales team by joining them 22840 Savi Ranch Parkway, #200
Yorba Linda, CA 92887
means increased capacity for the for a few of their daily dozens of (714) 939-9991
www.gunworld.com
www.facebook.com/gunworldmagazine
acquisition and transportation of “speed dating” calls on current and www.facebook.com/eembybeckett
SHOT Show Swag. potential advertisers. GUN WORLD (ISSN 0017-5641) Volume 56, Number 4, is
published monthly, 12 times a year by Engaged Media Inc.,
Now if we can only get a ban on It’s often the one time of year LLC, 22840 Savi Ranch Parkway, #200, Yorba Linda, CA
92887. Periodical postage paid at Anaheim, CA, and
those rolling milk crates. that I am able to talk face to face additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address
changes to Gun World c/o Engaged Media Inc, VSI, Inc.
905 Kent Avenue, Liberty, MO 64068. Return undelivered
In addition to decking myself with company representatives Canadian addresses to: Gun World c/o Pitney Bowes, Inc.
PO Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B
out in khaki, my attempt to blend in rather than adding one more mes- GST#855050365RT001 © 2015 by Engaged Media Inc,
All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material from this
issue in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.
more successfully with the taupe sage to their voicemail or inbox. I
CUSTOMER SERVICE
trouser crowd entailed another tac- can check up on their families, relax Engaged Media Inc
4635 Mc Ewen Road. Dallas, TX 75244
tical decision. The choice? Shave over lunch, and make sure they’re
SUBSCRIPTIONS, ADDRESS CHANGES,
my head or grow a beard. on top of any potential “transitions” RENEWALS, MISSING OR DAMAGED COPIES
(800) 764-6278
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That may have been the easi- in this occasionally unpredictable [email protected]
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est decision I made this month. Be- marketplace. And if a move has oc-
BACK ISSUES: www.engagedmediamags.com
BOOKS, MERCHANDISE, REPRINTS: (239) 280-2380
cause even though I have been curred, SHOT is a great place to find DEALER SALES: (239) 280-2380
NEW PRODUCTS OR TO CONTRIBUTE A STORY OR PHOTO
experiencing the law of diminishing out who has landed where. [email protected]

follicle returns for more than a Perhaps most importantly, I SUBSCRIPTION RATES
$17.95/1 year, $27.95/2 years. Foreign $33.95/1 year,
$59.95/2 years. Single copy price is $4.99. Please allow
decade, my philosophy remains: as can see who else has grown a 6 to 8 weeks for new subscriptions to begin.

long as hair is growing on my head, beard.

people will know it. I hope to see you at next year’s
I grew a beard. SHOT Show, unless you’re pulling
Still, for me, SHOT is much one of those rolling milk crates. Be- Engaged Media Inc.
Nick Singh: Executive Director
cause if you are, I’m staying clear. Vikas Malhotra: Vice President
Erin Masercola: Business Unit Editorial and Art Director

GUN WORLD This magazine is purchased by the buyer with the

understanding that information presented is from
various sources from which there can be no warranty or
IN SOCIAL MEDIA: responsibility by Engaged Media Inc., as to the legality,
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Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to:
GunWorldMagazine PITNEY BOWES, INC.
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6 GUN WORLD | APRIL 2015 www.gunworld.com

GW_1504_7 2/2/15 6:32 AM Page 7

RELIABLE. DURABLE. LIFETIME WARRANTY.

The Del-Ton Evolution is an excellent, all-purpose rifle that will serve
you ably on the range as well as in home defense and in the field.

All Del-Ton factory-built rifles come with a lifetime warranty to the

original owner, exceptional customer service,
and superior quality for the price.

Del-Ton is a manufacturer of first-rate AR-15-style modern

sporting rifles and your online source for parts, upgrades, optics,
and accessories. All rifles and kit components are made in the U.S.A.

Ask your dealer about Del-Ton products

The DTI Evolution features:

s #-6 CHROME LINED
BARREL WITH X TWIST
s (04-0) TESTED
#ARPENTER  BOLT
s 3AMSON %VOLUTION
v FREE mOAT RAIL
s -AGPUL #42 -IL 3PEC
BUTTSTOCK
GW-SHOT-8-13-cx-9-10-12-MH 2/10/15 12:11 AM Page 8

SHOT Show
Eye-Catchers
By Gun World Contributors

The Gun World gang recently descended on Las Vegas to test the lat-
est stuff. Here are a dozen quick peeks to get your wish list started.

GEAR & GADGETS

* V-Line Slide-Away
V-Line, the venerable maker of security cases and cabinets,
has long been known for producing sturdy products of fabricated
steel with mechanical locks that allow quick and easy access
without relying on batteries or keys. The raised, mechanical
push-button locks with clutch knobs (and easy-to-change
combinations) are an instantly recognizable V-Line feature.
The newest offering is the heavy-duty “Slide-Away” security
case, designed to be mounted beneath a desk, table or shelf. It
can also be mounted beneath some vehicle seats. To open it, you
simply hit the raised buttons in the sequence you set, turn the V-Line’s Slide-Away security
knob, and a spring-assisted, ball-bearing sliding drawer rolls out case. (V-Line photo)
for easy access. The slider has a 100-pound load rating. The
entire unit, made of 12 gauge steel, weighs 20 pounds. It features an oversized lock block with a brass deadbolt. The exterior is
coated in textured black powder coating, and the interior is foam-lined to protect valuables. Measuring 10 x 12 x 3.5 inches, the
case will easily accommodate a couple of pistols. MSRP is $299.

- Mike Dickerson

* Leupold’s New D-EVO: Red Dot and 6X Scope Combo

Leupold announced its new D-EVO at this year’s SHOT Show. This
remarkable optic has solved the problems caused by co-mounting a red dot
sight and a scope on the same AR-style rifle. Traditionally red dots have been
mounted on top of tactical scopes. This makes using both sights time consuming
and can have serious consequences. With a traditional setup the shooter must
move their head to switch between sights, temporarily losing track of the target.
Mounting the red dot over the scope also greatly increases the hold offset.
Instead of aiming 3 inches high, you have to aim five inches high to correctly
place your shot when using when using a top-mounted dot at CQB distances.
Leupold’s D-EVO (Dual Enhanced View Optic) fixes these problems by The ruggedly built D-EVO is shorter and wider than
radically changing the shape the scope so that the red dot mounts directly in a standard optic. (Dr. Martin D. Topper photo)
front and just above the scope’s eyepiece. You find the target with the red dot
and shoot if it’s at close range. If it’s far away, just look down like you’re wearing bifocals and you’re on target with a 6X scope that
has a CMR-W reticle with built in elevation holdovers out to 600 yards and windage holds for 10- and 20-mph crosswinds. What
could be easier?
MSRP for both the scope and red dot is $2,999, but the scope and red dot can also be purchased separately. Visit
Leupold.com for more information.

- Dr. Martin D. Topper

8 GUN WORLD | APRIL 2015 www.gunworld.com

GW-SHOT-8-13-cx-9-10-12-MH 2/10/15 12:11 AM Page 9

* Kestrel Sportsman efficients when calculating trajectory, and the

If you want to take the guesswork out of unit will store up to 16 personalized gun-and-
making long shots, take a look at the new bullet combinations. The Sportsman meter
Kestrel Sportsman ballistics weather meter. comes in an olive drab color with a carry
This pocket-sized, waterproof, dustproof and pouch and neck lanyard, and has a MSRP of
MilSpec drop-tested unit combines real-time $429.00. When purchased with the optional
environmental monitoring with a ballistics Spotter Pack, you’ll get a tripod-mountable
solver from Applied Ballistics, providing accu- vane mount, a Kestrel Companion App for re-
rate shooting solutions out to 800 yards. The mote viewing of your shooting solution from
unit measures a host of environmental condi- your shooting position on your Android device
tions, including wind speed, wind direction, and wireless Bluetooth data transfer for
crosswind, temperature, humidity, barometric firmware upgrades.
pressure and density altitude. Kestrel’s Sportsman ballistic
You can select either G1 or G7 ballistic co- - Mike Dickerson weather meter can help take
the guesswork out of distance
shooting. (Kestrel photo)

* Witt Machine Mosin Nagant Muzzle Brake

If you’re one of the untold masses that snagged a Mosin Nagant rifle
at super affordable prices and are taking advantage of the fact that the
7.62x54mm Russian round is still one of the cheapest .30 caliber rounds
to shoot, then you might want to take a look at the muzzle brakes from
Witt Machine.
These lightweight brakes clamp onto your Mosin without altering
the gun in any way, preserving the historical value of the piece. They’re
CNC machined out of 7075-T651 Aluminum and then coated in a matte
black Type III hardcoat anodized finish that compliments the Nagant’s
bluing nicely. Witt had demo models available to try at Industry Day at
the Range during SHOT and they insisted that you shoot a Mosin without
their brake, and then immediately shoot again with their brake installed.
It’s a great sales pitch because the difference when shooting them
side-by-side is dramatic.
They also make a version for the Nagant M44 carbine (known for its
Witt Machine’s muzzle brake (attached, bottom) for the
even more vigorous muzzle blast and recoil). MSRP is $85 for the 91/30 Mosin Nagant. (Tim Stetzer photo)
model and $89 for the M44 model. Visit WittMachine.net for more
details.

- Tim Stetzer

* SilencerCo.
One of the longest lines at Industry Day at the Range seemed to
be the group of scribes, camerapersons and other curious parties
waiting to take a turn at the SilencerCo. tent. The Utah-based com-
pany has developed a devoted and enthusiastic following by making
quality products, living out their mission and taking on existing anti-
can laws in a bold and direct manner.
The Salvo 12 from SilencerCo. (SilencerCo. photo)
My personal favorite among their products was the Salvo 12,
which the company describes as “the only commercially-viable, modu-
lar, hearing safe shotgun silencer on the market.” It earns the modular moniker because it comes in 6-, 8-, 10- and 12-inch config-
urations that easily enable smoothbore owners to customize it for everything from home defense and sporting clays to turkey
and waterfowl hunting. The Salvo 12 is designed to operate with most semi-automatic and pump action shotguns, and is rated
for wadded shells up to 3 inches, including buckshot and slugs.
The Salvo 12 attaches to numerous styles and brands of guns (the list includes Remington, Mossberg, Benelli, Beretta and
Browning styles) through a variety of choke mounts. The mounts and rod kit adapters are sold separately and are available in im-
proved cylinder, modified, improved modified and full. MSRP for the main unit is $1,400.

- Craig Hodgkins

www.gunworld.com APRIL 2015 | GUN WORLD 9

GW-SHOT-8-13-cx-9-10-12-MH 2/10/15 12:11 AM Page 10

AMMUNITION

* Barnes Ammunition
Barnes expanded its product line significantly this year
with several new introductions that will be well received by
shooters. The new Barnes Range AR ammunition, for example,
is priced for affordable high-volume practice and training. The
lower price results from the use of a lead-free, copper-jacked,
zinc core OTFB (open tip flat base) bullet. Range AR ammo
will initially be offered in 5.56mm 52-gr. and 300 AAC
Blackout 90-gr. loads. Another newcomer is Barnes’ Precision
Match ammunition, which is directly descended from ammo
Barnes supplies to elite special operations forces.
The rounds, which are loaded with match-grade OTM
bullets that have long boat tails and high ballistic coefficients,
have low standard deviations and variations. The ammo will
be available in 5.56-45 NATO 69-gr., .308 Win. 175-gr., .300
Win. Mag. 220-gr., and .338 Lapua Mag. 300-gr. loads. There
are also a number of new additions to Barnes’ VOR-TX line of
rifle and handgun ammunition. Rifle additions include
5.56mm 62-gr. and 70-gr. TSX loads, a .300 AAC Blackout
120-gr. TAC-TX load and a .338 Lapua 280-gr. LRX round. The
newest entry into the VOR-TX handgun lineup is a 10mm load
using a 155-gr. all-copper XPB bullet, which should find favor
with handgun hunters thanks to its excellent penetration and
weight retention characteristics. The 10mm joins a lineup that
now includes XPB bullets in .357 Mag., .41 Rem. Mag., .44 Mag., The new Range AR ammo from Barnes.
.45 Colt and .454 Casull. (Barnes photo)

- Mike Dickerson

* UTM Civilian Target Ammunition: Live-Fire Practice at Home

Ultimate Training Munitions demonstrated their new Civilian Target
Ammunition at the SHOT Show. You won’t have to fight city traffic driving
to the gun range to shoot it, because this load is designed for home use. The
first load is designed for AR-15s and will be in .223 Rem. This ammo is lead
free and fires an ultra-light plastic-tipped projectile that leaves the barrel at
only 375 fps. The complete kit comes with a replacement AR-15 bolt, a
magazine, cleaning gear and UTM’s target holder designed to be placed
over a safe backstop like a windowless wall.
This new ammo uses the same technology that UTM uses when
making training ammo for law enforcement. The round contains no powder
and uses two primers to generate recoil and launch the bullet from the bore.
The base primer is an unleaded .22 rimfire primer in a crimped .22 case.
When it detonates, it creates a small amount of gas that causes the rear of
the cartridge case to extend and cycle the bolt. The rear primer also pushes
a plastic ball forward in the case. It detonates a second boxer-style primer
that sends the bullet down the bore. Groups average about 2 inches at 25
yards.
Civilian Target Ammunition will soon be available in 9mm. and .308
Win. Visit UltimateTrainingAmmunition.com for details and MSRP.

- Dr. Martin D. Topper These cutaways show the construction of UTM’s

two-primer ignition system. Left to right: .223 Rem,
9mm, and .308 Win. (Dr. Martin D. Topper photo)

10 GUN WORLD | APRIL 2015 www.gunworld.com

GW_1504_11 2/3/15 1:46 AM Page 11

Dillon Precision’s
XL650
STANDARD FEATURES:

www.dillonprecision.com
Too receive
e i e a FREE
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a alog call
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GW-SHOT-8-13-cx-9-10-12-MH 2/10/15 12:12 AM Page 12

* Winchester Deer Season XP Winchester’s newest entry in this cate-

Bullet technology has evolved con- gory is Deer Season XP, which the company
siderably in the last 20 years, resulting in says is “the first and only Winchester bullet
improved terminal performance over tra- designed specifically for deer.” The bullet
ditional cup-and-core bullets. Many now combines a swaged lead core with a radi-
hunt large game with premium ammo in cally larger polymer tip, called the Extreme
smaller calibers that would have been un- Point, to initiate expansion immediately
thinkable not so long ago, but you don’t upon impact. The theory behind this larger
need such “wonder bullets” for deer hunt- “impact diameter” is that the bullet will
ing. Deer have been harvested cleanly transfer more energy to the target and de-
with traditional bullets since their inven- liver rapid knockdown power. Deer Season
tion. That fact, combined with the rising XP is initially being offered in a variety of
cost of ammo, has led many deer hunters bullet weights in .243 Win., .270 Win., .270
back to traditional ammunition, and WSM, 7mm Rem. Mag., .308 Win., .30-06
ammo makers have responded by mar- Springfield, .300 Win. Mag. and .300 WSM.
Winchester’s Deer Season XP.
keting more affordable ammunition di-
(Winchester photo)
rectly to deer hunters. - Mike Dickerson

* Federal Premium Upgrades A Trio of Hunting Cartridges

At this year’s SHOT Show, Federal has upgraded three cartridges that
hunters have used for years to bag turkey, deer, boar and black bear. Each
optimizes performance, improving chances of a quick, clean kill, and some
promote compliance with environmental regulations.
3rd DEGREE 3-inch 12 gauge Turkey Load: The new 3rd DEGREE load has a
triplex shot load of #6 nickel-plated FLITESTOPPER Lead, #5 copper-plated lead
and #7 HEAVYWEIGHT tungsten-iron pellets. The #6s spread wide for close-in
birds, the #5s are for medium-range shots and the #7s ensure clean kills beyond
40 yards. A FLITECONTROL wad ensures consistent patterns.
Vital Shok Copper .30-30 Win.: This load’s polymer-tipped 150-gr. copper
hollow point expands quickly and penetrates deeply. Its nickel-plated case
promotes positive extraction.
Vital Shok High Density 2.75-inch 12 gauge Buckshot: Leaving the muzzle at
1600 fps, the nine tungsten alloy pellets in this load’s FLITECONTROL wad en-
sure tight groups and deep penetration for hunting hogs, deer and similar-sized Federal Premium 3rd DEGREE 3-inch 12 gauge
big game. magnum cartridges have a triplex shot load. (Dr.
For MSRP and further information, visit FederalPremium.com. Martin D. Topper photo)

- Dr. Martin D. Topper

GUNS

* Kingston Armory .22 M1 Garand and M1A

Two of the more interesting .22’s to pop up at the SHOT show were the
Garand and M1A from Kingston Armory. While mechanically sharing some simi-
larities with the ubiquitous 10/22, and using a modified 10/22 magazine, these
are not just simple shells or stock kits for your existing carbine. These guns are
precision built from 4140 steel, and outfitted with beautiful walnut stocks from
Boyds. The guns are full scale and mimic the weight and balance of their .30 cal-
iber counterparts.
Sights are the same as the full power rifles and they’ll take any sort of
match sights designed for the M1 or M1A. So whether you want an understudy to
The .22 M1 Garand and M1A from Kingston Armory.
your CMP gun for practice, love the historical aspect to the rifles but don’t want (Tim Stetzer photo)
to pay .30 caliber prices to shoot them, or would love to just take your M1 to your
local indoor range to plink, the Kingston Armory has you covered. MSRP is listed at $699 for either model and the all-steel and
walnut rifles are 100% made in the USA. For more information, visit KingstonArmory.com.

- Tim Stetzer

12 GUN WORLD | APRIL 2015 www.gunworld.com

GW-SHOT-8-13-cx-9-10-12-MH 2/10/15 12:12 AM Page 13

These features include a reduction of the grip’s cir-

cumference to reduce trigger reach for small-handed
shooters. Shooters with larger hands can install an op-
tional large grip that covers the back strap. The A3 also

* Beretta’s M9 has a flat earth Cerakote finish, a lengthened barrel that’s

A3 Tactical Upgrade threaded to accept a suppressor and high-profile night
Beretta’s M9 service pistol sights that provide a clear sight picture when a suppres-
came to this year’s SHOT Show sor is installed. In addition it has two decocker options
with a brand new set of tactical fea- (option one engages a safety, the other does not), a
tures. In the 20 years since the M9 sand-resistant magazine and an accessory rail on the
replaced the M1911, Americans have learned a great deal dust cover for mounting a tactical light, a laser or a
about tactical engagements in crowded urban areas. light/laser combination. All of these features allow the
This experience led to the development of new tech- user to modify the gun for their individual needs, as well
niques for running pistols in combat and has produced as the needs of specific tactical missions.
a number of innovations in pistol design and add-on ac- For further information and MSRP, visit Beretta.com.
cessories. The new M9A3 has been modified to accom-
modate many of them. - Dr. Martin D. Topper

The Beretta M9A3 functioned

flawlessly in rapid fire at the
SHOT Show, and comes fully
equipped with a light. (Dr. Martin
D. Topper photo)

down) if so desired. Simply retracting the

slide slightly recocks the pistol when
needed.
Gun World had a chance to shoot the
pistol at Industry Day, and it’s impressive.
Ergonomics are very good and the trigger
is crisp with a short reset. The polymer
frame pistol weighs in at a modest 1.3
pounds, but still packs a 4.47-inch barrel
and an impressive 18-round magazine

* Century Arms TP9 SA capacity. It’s listed at an extremely afford-

Century Arms has a new version of their able $399 MSRP and ships with two Mec-
Turkish produced TP9 pistol, the TP9 SA. This Gar magazines, a polymer holster with
well-built polymer frame auto uses a short, crisp both belt and paddle attachments, two
single-action trigger with an integral safety like interchangeable back straps and a hard
many other polymer autos. It pairs that with a case. For more information, visit
decocking button on the slide that allows you to CenturyArms.com.
drop the striker safely and carry the pistol in
Condition 2 (round in the chamber, “hammer” - Tim Stetzer
The TP9 pistol from
Century Arms. (Tim
Stetzer photo)

www.gunworld.com APRIL 2015 | GUN WORLD 13

GW-COONAN-14-23_Layout 1 2/6/15 2:04 AM Page 14

COVER
STORY

Bulked Up
and READY
to RUMBLE
Text & Photos by Mike Dickerson

.357 Magnum Punch with 1911 Style

A
s a graduate student at
Mankato University in
1976, Dan Coonan and his
roommate regularly debated the
relative merits of a 1911 .45 ACP
versus a .357 Magnum revolver.
To settle the score, both parties
agreed to a shootout, with the
winner being the first to put 12
rounds in the target.

The Coonan Compact,

chambered for the potent
.357 Mag., incorporates
some of the best design
features of the timeless 1911
and the influential Brown-
ing Hi Power.

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GW-COONAN-14-23_Layout 1 2/6/15 2:04 AM Page 16

COVER STORY
those accustomed to rocking it with
the .357 Mag., however, shooting
this pistol seems (almost) too
much fun to be legal. I would defy
you to do so and be able to sup-
press a smile afterward. If you can,
you have a better poker face than I
do.

POWERFUL HANDFUL
At first glance, the Coonan
Compact leaves no doubt that the
pistol traces its ancestry to John
Browning’s timeless Model 1911 pis-
tol design, with one obvious differ-
ence. There’s something a bit out of
scale. The pistol looks larger than it
is, and that’s only partly due to the
longer front-to-back size of the grip,
which has to accommodate maga-
zines holding the relatively long .357
Mag. cartridge.
The pistol is a handful, to be
certain, and its appearance, while
stylish in a Spartan sort of way, is
squared-off, bulked-up and ready
The author liked the pistol’s extended thumb safety, which fell naturally under the
thumb and required firm pressure to disengage, making it less likely to “rob off” when the
to rumble. It conveys the unmistak-
pistol is carried cocked and locked. able impression that this is a seri-
ous piece of hardware with a
“With the auto, I just waxed Dan re-launched his Coonan take-no-prisoners attitude.
him,” says Coonan. The roommate pistol brand in 2009 with the full- I was initially concerned about
conceded the tactical superiority of size Coonan Classic model, and he how well I’d handle the gun since I
the 1911 .45, but argued that the has been working to meet demand don’t have large hands. The pad of
.357 Mag. delivered superior ballis- for the pistols ever since. With the my trigger finger still managed to
tics. Classic established, he felt it was reach the trigger comfortably and,
“You should get a .357 auto,” he time to introduce the new Coonan as I would discover, the hand-filling
told Coonan. Compact model, which brings us to grip helps absorb recoil. Once I got
“They don’t make one,” Coonan the shiny new stainless steel pistol used to it, the pistol pointed as well
replied. sent to us for testing. I’ll break the as any 1911, which is to say it points
Dan Coonan went on to earn pistol down and reveal how it per- very well.
six college credits for creating a .357 formed momentarily, but I’ll preface
Mag. magazine, frame and barrel. that with one important observa- INNER WORKINGS
That success led him to start his tion. While the 1911 was the primary
own company to make the original The meek may inherit the inspiration for Coonan pistols, it
Coonan 357 pistol. Coonan eventu- earth, but they won’t be shooting was not the only one. The gun has
ally sold the company, and it subse- Coonan pistols. This Compact pow- 18 parts that are directly inter-
quently folded under the new erhouse is not for the timid or be- changeable with a 1911, but closer
owners. ginning shooter. In the hands of inspection reveals that some com-

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GW-COONAN-14-23_Layout 1 2/6/15 2:04 AM Page 17

ponents, designed to enhance relia- barrel, he says, aids reliable func- tor of 1911 pistols in favor of an ex-
bility and accuracy, are true depar- tion in 1911-style guns. “The recoil ternal extractor. Some traditional-
tures from the 1911. In many ways, stroke in the Compact is shorter ists may frown upon that, but it’s
the gun has more in common with than in the Classic,” says Coonan. worth noting that a number of 1911
John Browning’s final design, the “The cycle time of a lighter slide manufacturers have mastered the
Browning Hi Power. This includes, and barrel mass and a shorter recoil use of external extractors and have
most notably, the linkless barrel (or stroke can be an issue, so the heav- no plans to change.
cam system) which has been ier barrel helps address that. The “Anyone who’s done any cus-
adopted in one form or another by a Compact recoil spring is a 24- tom work on 45s knows that extrac-
majority of modern pistol makers. pound spring at full compression, tor problems are a big issue,” says
Gone, too, on the Compact model, and our standard one on the full- Coonan. “It’s a leaf spring, and the
is the barrel bushing. It’s been re- size Classic is 22-pounds.” metallurgy in that leaf spring and
placed by a four-inch bull barrel The Compact initially used the heat treatment has to be just so
machined from round bar stock. stainless steel barrels, but Coonan exact, and the machining. There’s
“Linkless barrels are unbeliev- has switched to hard chrome plated not a lot of room for error with that
ably more reliable and predictable 4340 carbon steel, which he be- stuff. Nobody uses a leaf spring ex-
than any of the linked-barrel guns,” lieves to be the “top of the heap” for tractor anymore other than people
says Coonan. “They’re self-adjust- barrel material. The barrels have who use 45s.”
ing for wear. Once you get a gun six-groove rifling with a 1:16 rate of The pistol has an excellent
that works, it keeps going and twist. two-stage trigger which rotates on
going. We have range guns that The pistol utilizes a skele- an axis pin. This pivoting trigger,
have gone tens of thousands of tonized Commander-style hammer partially inspired by the Browning Hi
rounds.” and a full-length guide rod. It for- Power, has a very light initial take-
The extra weight of the bull goes the traditional internal extrac- up with a firm stop, followed by a

The Coonan has

an excellent two-
stage, pivoting trigger
inspired in part by the
Browning Hi Power
design.

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GW-COONAN-14-23_Layout 1 2/6/15 2:04 AM Page 18

COVER STORY

“ The meek may

inherit the earth,
but they won’t be
shooting Coonan

”
pistols.

The pistol uses a full-length

guide rod and a linkless barrel.

clean and crisp break. The trigger of the Compact, but are not pro-
SPECIFICATIONS on our test pistol broke at 3 pounds, vided with the tested stainless
13 ounces. model. Grips are attractive smooth
COONAN 357 Happily, the pistol comes with black walnut with crisp laser en-
MAGNUM COMPACT two sturdy stainless steel maga- graving of the Coonan logo.
zines, giving you a capacity of 6 +1
Action: Single-action semi-automatic
in the Compact. The magazine is WITHIN REACH
Frame: Stainless steel worth a closer look since the gun Controls are instantly familiar
was, quite literally, designed around to 1911 fans. The pistol has a nicely
Caliber: .357 Magnum it. In Coonan’s magazine, each executed beavertail grip safety and
round sits at a steep-enough angle an extended thumb safety located
Magazine Capacity: 6 rounds that the rim of each round rests in where it should be: under my
front of the rim of the round be- thumb. One thing I quickly noticed
Barrel Length: 4 inches,
hard-chrome plated carbon steel neath it. This ensures that the rims about the frame-mounted thumb
don’t catch or interfere with one an- safety is the fact that it takes very
Overall length: 7.7 inches other. The magazines functioned little upward pressure with the
flawlessly in testing. thumb to engage, but considerably
Weight (Empty): 39 ounces Dovetail front and rear black more downward, deliberate pres-
sights are of the three-dot variety. sure to disengage. This makes it
Height: 5.4 inches
The dots are generously sized for less likely to “rub off” when carried
Width: 1.3 inches good visibility. In offhand shooting, cocked and locked.
the pistol shot a bit low for me, but I was pleased to find that I
Sights: Dovetail fixed white 3-dot that was easily corrected by taking could also reach the slide release
a full sight picture. Night sights are without having to shift my grip.
MSRP: $1,535
an option with a DuraCoat version Those with large hands will proba-

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GW_1504_19 2/3/15 1:44 AM Page 19

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GW-COONAN-14-23_Layout 1 2/6/15 2:04 AM Page 20

COVER STORY

“ This Compact
powerhouse is not
for the timid or

”
The clean lines in this right side
view of the pistol are complemented
by the skeletonized hammer and beginning shooter.
trigger, and smooth black walnut
grips with laser-engraved logo.

PERFORMANCE RESULTS:

COONAN 357 MAGNUM COMPACT

LOAD AVG. MUZZLE AVG. 25-YARD BEST GROUP

VELOCITY (FPS) GROUP (INCHES) 25-YARDS (INCHES)

Federal American Eagle 1254 2.45 1.35

158 gr. JHP

Federal Premium 1240 3.01 2.55

158 gr. Hydra-Shok

Hornady American Gunner 1345 3.19 2.32

125 gr. XTP

Hornady Critical Duty 1214 3.16 1.85

135 gr. FTX

Winchester Super X 1181 2.98 1.99

158 gr. JHP

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GW-COONAN-14-23_Layout 1 2/6/15 2:04 AM Page 21

bly be able to reach the magazine groups was just 2.95 inches. Win- seven yards, I was able to keep
release button without altering their chester’s Super X 158-grain JHP most rapid-fire groups within three
grip, but I couldn’t reach it without round and Hornady’s new Critical or four inches, and that will most
repositioning the pistol. When I did, Duty 135-grain FTX load turned in definitely get the job done whether
magazines ejected with authority. best groups of a bit less than two you take the pistol hunting or em-
inches, while Federal’s American ploy it in a self-defense role.
FEED … FIRE … Eagle 158-grain JHP load produced I didn’t have time to explore
PHENOMENAL a single best group of 1.35 inches. holster options for the Compact,
I set out to test six different fac- There was undoubtedly a bit of apart from seeing if it would fit in
tory loads with bullet weights rang- luck involved with that group since I any of my numerous holsters de-
ing from 125 grains to 158 grains, no longer shoot pistols as well from signed for Commander-sized 1911s.
but was only able to complete test- the bench as I used to. That’s attrib- It didn’t, but quite a number of
ing with five loads. One relatively utable to the evil march of time and manufacturers make holsters for
slow (1189 fps) 125-grain personal the necessity of wearing progres- the full-size Classic. I expect the
defense load would not cycle reli- sive eyeglass lenses, which make it same will be true for the Compact.
ably in the pistol. It simply would impossible for me to keep both the Recoil was just a tad on the
not eject the brass in reliable fash- front sight and target in focus at snappy side, as you would expect
ion. The gun did, however, digest that distance. Even so, the best with full-house .357 Magnum
every other load I fed it without hic- groups turned in by the Coonan rounds, but experienced shooters
cup, including a hotter (1345 fps) Compact surprised me. They were will have no difficult mastering the
125-grain load. Functionally, it fed, better than I can typically achieve pistol. Thanks in part to the gun’s
fired and ejected with zero issues with many full-size pistols, and I be- recoil-mitigating weight (39 ounces
save for the one powered-down lieve that says a lot more about the empty) and hand-filling grip, it
load. gun than the shooter. popped back on target faster than I
In accuracy testing, firing with Still, I prefer to test defensive expected it to.
cold-blooded calculation from handguns for “practical” accuracy –
sandbags at 25 yards, the pistol specifically, how well they shoot at SPEED ZONE
proved to be a pleasant surprise. average self-defense range. In this Velocities out of the four-inch
The average size of all average regard, the pistol performed well. At barrel were, happily, quite close to

The stainless version of the

Compact has dovetail front
and rear black sights of the
three-dot variety.

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GW-COONAN-14-23_Layout 1 2/6/15 2:04 AM Page 22

The pistol performed well in accuracy testing. This rapid-fire group from the “typical”
self-defense range of seven yards demonstrates the pistol’s potential effectiveness in
that role.
CONTACT
factory advertised velocities for 1345 fps, this load was still the
most of the loads tested over my fastest of all loads tested.
Competitive Edge Dynamics
Competitive Edge Dynamics M2 Make no mistake about it: this
888-628-3233
chronograph. The Federal American pistol likes – indeed, it demands –
Cedhk.com
Eagle 158-grain JHP load slightly to be fed hotter loads, and that was
exceeded factory-stated velocity, fine with me. The sound and fury of Coonan Inc.
zipping along at an average of 1254 shooting full-house .357 Mag. 763-786-1720
fps. It was, in addition to being the loads, complete with rings of fire Coonaninc.com
most accurate load tested, the emanating from the muzzle, is part
hottest of three tested 158 grain of the appeal of shooting Coonan Federal Premium Ammunition
loads. Federal’s 158-grain Hydra- pistols. 800-379-1732
Shok load was only 14 fps behind Federalpremium.com
and precisely matched factory- TARRY NOT
stated velocity. A lot of potential buyers wound Hornady Ammunition
The greatest variation from up kicking themselves when they 800-338-3220
factory-claimed velocities was with failed to purchase an original Coo- Hornady.com
Hornady’s American Gunner XTP nan pistol back in the 1980s. They
125-grain load, which came in 155 were forced to add it to their wish Nagel’s gun Shop
fps below advertised velocity of list, wait and hope one came on the 210-342-5420
1500 fps. That’s perfectly under- used market at an affordable price. Nagelsguns.net
standable when you consider that Thanks to Coonan’s return, that
the factory velocity was achieved wait has gotten a lot shorter. Winchester Ammunition
with an eight-inch test barrel, ver- It may be time to dust off that Winchester.com
sus this pistol’s four-inch barrel. At wish list. GW

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GW-CHARGERS-24-33 2/6/15 2:23 AM Page 24

Together, the Ruger Charger .22-caliber

semi-auto pistols offer something for
shooters with different needs and tastes.
Both come with bipods, accessory rails
and 15-round magazines.

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GW-CHARGERS-24-33-cx-25-32-MH 2/9/15 11:38 PM Page 25

RUGER
Redefines
Rimfires
Text & Photos by Dave Workman

With 10/22 action, rails & a bipod,

these recently re-introduced
pistols will get you charged up

Y
ou can’t keep a good gun down.
Don’t believe it? Check out the new
and improved Charger pistols re-
cently re-introduced by Ruger. Ruger has
revived the semi-automatic Charger pistol
in two versions, both featuring enhance-
ments that will no doubt appeal to hordes
of handgunners looking for something a lit-
tle different in a Rimfire.

www.gunworld.com APRIL 2015 | GUN WORLD 25

GW-CHARGERS-24-33 2/6/15 2:23 AM Page 26

Workman used his trusty Bushnell

Elite 3200 long-eye-relief scope
set in Weaver QD rings for testing
both Chargers.

LINEAGE
Built on the Ruger 10/22 action,
the 22 Charger is available as a
Standard model and a Takedown
version, both of which feature the
new BX-15 15-round magazine, a
threaded 10-inch barrel, A2-style
grips, Picatinny-style accessory
rails, and an adjustable UTG bipod.
The ½-28 barrel threads accept
most suppressors or flash hiders,
and they come from the factory
with thread protectors. Each
Charger measures 19.25 inches
overall.
The Standard is a fine firearm,
albeit rather straightforward in its
execution. Weighing in at 3.13
pounds, the pistol is turnkey, no real
assembly required. The brown lami-

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GW-CHARGERS-24-33 2/6/15 2:24 AM Page 27

nate stock has eye appeal and stiff at first, but a bit of thumb pres- the opinion of a fellow who grew up
works well. A nice, full-length soft sure pushes it forward, allowing the in the Pacific Northwest where ply-
case from Ruger rounds out the barrel section to be pivoted wood was a major part of the tim-
package. counter-clockwise for disassembly. ber industry for decades—it’s a
To put it together, simply do things grand idea.
TAKEDOWN TIPS in reverse by inserting the barrel Applying the plywood concept
Now, the Takedown model in- breech into the receiver and giving it to a gunstock is something I wish I’d
trigued the heck out of me. The first a clockwise turn. thought of. While the stock may be
thing I noticed is that there’s about The Takedown comes with a a bit heavier than a typical wood
a 1/8-inch gap in the Green Moun- hard plastic case featuring lots of stock, plywood stocks are just
tain laminate stock that looks odd, padding inside with cutouts for the about unbreakable because of the
almost as if the gun didn’t fit to- various components. This case is resins involved and the different
gether properly. That’s deceptive, of lockable, and it’s a rather sturdy ob- grain directions, and, in my experi-
course, because the small space al- ject that could be used as a blunt ence anyway, they’re virtually im-
lows pivoting of the barrel and fore- force instrument in an emergency. pervious to changes in the weather.
arm into and out of lockup with no
rubbing of the surfaces between LAMINATION ROCK STEADY
the stock sections. RUMINATIONS One thing that makes the
To put both ends together, the As for the laminate stocks, Charger 22 a winner is the bipod.
bolt needs to be locked to the rear, they’re both handsome in either the While this is a handgun, it’s no belt
allowing the breech section to slide brown or Green Mountain finishes. pistol. There’s a QD stud mounted
smoothly into the receiver. It takes I’ve had kind of a love/hate senti- on the front end of the stock on
just a few seconds to accomplish, ment toward laminated stocks, de- both pistols, but no corresponding
and the lockup is tight. This proce- pending upon the finish and rear stud. That front stud is for
dure is controlled by a small latch thickness of the wood layers. mounting the bipods, but I suggest
centered at the bottom rear of the The concept has been around putting one on the rear somewhere
forearm stock section. It may seem for about 30 years, and honestly—in so you could easily carry either pis-

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The Takedown
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just ahead of the optional stand,
receiver by merely LCD monitor,
machine arms,
pressing a latch pin Product information and online ordering at and accessories.
on the forearm. www.tormach.com

www.gunworld.com APRIL 2015 | GUN WORLD 27

GW-CHARGERS-24-33 2/6/15 2:24 AM Page 28

In the Zone–Bench
testing the Charger 22
Takedown with an ample
supply of ammunition.

SPECIFICATIONS

CHARGER

Manufacturer: Sturm, Ruger

Caliber: .22 Long Rifle

Action: Semi-auto

Capacity: 15 rounds

Barrel length: 10 inches

Finish: Matte black

Stock: Laminated brown (Standard),

Green Mountain (Takedown)

OAL: 19.25 inches

The Takedown model is
perfect for backpackers or
Weight: 3.13 pounds (Standard), people on day hikes who
3.22 pounds (Takedown) may want to do some plink-
ing or small game hunting
MSRP: $309 (Standard) on the trail.
$409 (Takedown)

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“
The bipod gives this pistol con-
A few years ago, I had the chance to
I could just about siderable stability, whether shoot- test the original Charger in these
ing prone, or from a table or bench, pages. It was a good shooter; very
despise Ruger for accurate and, as is typical of a Ruger
or even — where it is legal, of course 10/22, a real “lead hose.” Translation:
creating these — using the hood of a truck as a
Once you start popping off .22 Long
Rifle rounds, it gets addictive quickly.
magazines because platform. I found that this bipod If I recall correctly, that first experience
I almost burned up a couple hundred
gives ample clearance for the 15- rounds before I suddenly stopped
they make it so easy to round “banana” type BX-15 maga-
myself and took a count.

burn through a hundred zine. I was happy that both bipods

rounds before you — the two guns came with different

”
models — were of the telescoping long-eye-relief Bushnell Elite 3200
know it… variety. adjustable 2-6X scope. It has a
The modern bipod is a very satin stainless finish that offsets
lightweight unit, and it makes sense nicely against a blue or black-finish
tol with a sling. for this kind of pistol. One cannot action and a set of blue steel
With a good scope, either of always count on having a decent Weaver QD rings. This has been a
the Charger 22 models will reach rest for a pistol, though I’ve used dandy little scope that has seen a
out better than a hundred yards, backpacks over the years success- fair number of handguns under-
and for the shooter who wants to fully. For the Charger, a bipod could neath it, and it’s the one I used on
trek off across the landscape look- be a godsend, and I’m delighted both of these pistols.
ing for ground squirrels or prairie that Ruger had the foresight to in- I never had to worry about re-
dogs, that’s a comfortable way to clude one with each gun. coil creating any problems with the
carry. scope. The .22 Long Rifle cartridge,
OPTICAL ELATION especially in a firearm weighing
Some time ago I acquired a more than 3 pounds, is almost non-

Both Charger models

are fitted with A-2
grips. They’re rugged
and hollow, with
molded checkering
for a solid hold.

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GW-CHARGERS-24-33 2/6/15 2:24 AM Page 30

existent. Couple that with the semi-

auto action that soaks up rimfire re-
coil and shooting either of these
Charger 22 pistols was pretty much
indistinguishable from shooting an
airgun.

ROUND & ROUND

Thanks to some careful plan-
ning a few years ago, and a couple
of lucky breaks, I stockpiled a good
supply of .22 Long Rifle ammuni-
tion. It pretty much carried me
through the recent hoarder-ignited
shortage, and allowed me to have a
decent selection of different car-
tridge types for just such occasions
as this one.
Loading up with a variety of
hollow point and soft lead ammuni-
tion from Remington and Federal,
both models were a hoot to shoot.
Off a bench, with the bipods for a
rest, once I got each pistol zeroed at
25 yards, using Birchwood Casey
Shoot-N-C targets, it only took a
few rounds through each pistol to
get a zero.

ABSOLUTE ZERO
This exercise was certainly
good to reaffirm something veteran
shooters have known for genera-
tions: Even in two similar guns, a
scope will have to be adjusted be-
cause they will not inherently shoot
to the same point of aim.
The Takedown model required
several shots to zero, perhaps be-
cause the scope was out of adjust-
ment from a previous use. Once I
had it on target, however, I could
pretty easily lob rounds into the 10-
ring, and narrowed the groups into
The A-2 grip feels good in the
hand and it’s impervious to the X-ring at 25 yards in fading light.
weather, snow and mud. It is After swapping the scope over
mounted at a proper angle for a
comfortable feel. to the Standard model, I had it ze-
roed in about five rounds, and then

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GW-CHARGERS-24-33 2/6/15 2:24 AM Page 31

consistently punched holes in the

left side of the X-ring. I then turned
my attention to some clay targets
and broke them to pieces, and for
the final string of shots, I tossed out
an empty tin can and started shoot-
ing holes in the bottom end.
Tin cans make terrific plinking
targets. It’s just plain fun to bonk a
hard tin can and make it spin, roll or
even bounce. While most people
will stand a tin can on its end and
shoot at a vertical target, when you
restrict your shooting to the hard
bottom and consistently put holes
in it, your marksmanship will be af-
firmed.
Now, if you can hit this tin can
consistently at, say, 50 yards, you’ll
be able to pop prairie dogs, rabbits,
squirrels and other small game or
varmints with ease. When I was a
teen, I used to hunt raccoons with a
guy and we used .22-caliber pistols
to bring down the treed ringtails.
This is exactly the kind of endeavor
for which the Charger, in either ver-
sion, is perfect.

INSIDER INFORMATION
I recommend packing along a
spare magazine; either a second 15-
round BX-15, or one of Ruger’s su-
perb BX-25 magazines, which holds
25 rounds. I could just about de-
spise Ruger for creating these mag-
azines because they make it so easy
to burn through a hundred rounds
before you know it, and make it fun
in the process! (I privately believe
that the guy who designed these
extended magazines owns stock in
an ammunition company, and saw
me coming.)
During my evaluation of both
pistol models I discovered that the
BX-25 magazine fits just fine when
The Takedown model is perfect for backpackers or people on day hikes who may want
the pistols are used with the to do some plinking or small game hunting on the trail.

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GW-CHARGERS-24-33-cx-25-32-MH 2/9/15 11:38 PM Page 32

“ Once you start

popping off .22 Long Rifle
rounds, it gets
addictive quickly.
”
bipods. I also discovered you can
empty the magazine just as fast
with the Charger as you can with a
10/22. Doesn’t that just drive you
nuts?
There’s a cure for this kind of
crazy: More shooting. Ruger’s re-
vival and update of the Charger
platform is a good idea for any
number of reasons, the best one
being that it’s a darn good shooter.
It is accurate, capable of digesting
any .22 Long Rifle ammunition, and
as simple to operate as the leg-
endary 10/22 rifle.

ELEVATOR SPEECH
Topped with a good scope, the
Charger is going to deliver shot after
accurate shot under all kinds of
conditions, season after season.
Whether your thing is paper targets,
steel pigs and chickens, or small
game, varmints and predators, the
Charger seems entirely capable of
stacking up to any task.
Someone asked me, “Is it a
keeper?” Damn straight they’re
both keepers. But you’d better stock
up on lots of ammunition; you’re
going to need it. GW

CONTACT
Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.
(336) 949-5200
The Takedown model comes in this compartmentalized padded case. The box is Ruger.com
lockable, and there are spaces cut in the foam padding to accommodate the barrel and
receiver sections, bipod and magazine. There’s also a tough cable lock.

32 GUN WORLD | APRIL 2015 www.gunworld.com

GW_1503_33 2/3/15 1:55 AM Page 33
GW-AB3-34-43-cx-36-38-MH_EJM 2/10/15 1:32 AM Page 34

34 GUN WORLD | APRIL 2015 www.gunworld.com

GW-AB3-34-43-cx-36-38-MH_EJM 2/10/15 1:32 AM Page 35

High-Value
ASSET
Text & Photos by Brad Fitzpatrick

Trick Features, Crazy Accuracy, Realistic Price:

The Irresistible AB3

U
nder normal circumstances, the
deer stand is a place to collect
your thoughts and enjoy an
escape from the noise and chaos of the
outside world, a time to reconnect with
nature and reflect on the tranquility
that surrounds you. But these were not
normal circumstances.

The AB3’s Inflex Technology recoil pad

helps keep felt recoil to a minimum by
redirecting recoil away from the face. The
composite stock is weatherproof, and the
AB3 has some modern, angular lines while
maintaining a classic profile.

www.gunworld.com APRIL 2015 | GUN WORLD 35

GW-AB3-34-43-cx-36-38-MH_EJM 2/10/15 1:32 AM Page 36

The AB3 has a two-position tang safety that

does not allow the bolt to be opened in the
safe position. The bolt release button, located
just above and behind the bolt handle, can be
pressed to allow loading and unloading the
rifle with safety still engaged.

EMBRACING geese and the familiar rasp of thou-

THE AMBIANCE sands of mallard drakes and hens
Directly behind me was a there was very little rest to be had.
4,400-acre private lake, and I was It was the only time I have ever
hunting just outside Stuttgart, hunted in earplugs.
Arkansas in December. In case
you’re not a waterfowler, Stuttgart OH, DEER
is to the duck and goose hunter The noise and constant motion
what Las Vegas is to the gambler, or overhead almost kept me from
Nashville for country music fans. noticing a long-legged doe that
Each year, millions of waterfowl slipped out of a sage field in the
pass through the region as they late evening hours. As she worked
push southward toward warmer across a field of winter wheat I saw
weather, and there were tens of another deer appear behind her, al-
thousands of geese and ducks rest- most certainly her yearling fawn,
ing on the water as evening ap- and then a long string of does and
proached. fawns that spread out 150 yards
“Resting” is a relative term, I across the wheat field to my right.
suppose, for between the nasally Eventually, a bull-necked eight-
whistle of a sea of white snow point buck with beautiful, long tines

36 GUN WORLD | APRIL 2015 www.gunworld.com

GW-AB3-34-43-cx-36-38-MH_EJM 2/10/15 1:33 AM Page 37

appeared out of the sage and stood doe I was after. I found her shoulder the quality of their products. The A-
surveying the area, his impressive in the Bushnell scope, pushed half Bolt 3 (or “Trey Bolt”, as I affection-
antlers catching the sunlight as he the breath out of my lungs, and ately call it) is a prime example of
turned his head to scan the open squeezed the trigger. that.
field. In a few moments he too At the sound of the shot, star- There has been a race to the
began to feed. tled deer began running in every di- bottom in recent years with regard
You might expect this buck was rection, some disappearing into the to bolt action centerfires, a battle to
the deer I had been waiting for, but woods behind the wheat field while produce a rifle that costs very little
this was not the case. I took the others made a wide circle and cut and yet is capable of extreme accu-
time to acknowledge his impressive into a narrow drainage that led racy. While it is true that we almost
headgear and regal bearing before down to the lake. The big buck was invariably measure the quality of a
going back to the business of se- bounding through the sage, his rifle in terms of inches and minutes
lecting a doe to harvest. The buck, white tail and impressive rack of angle, build quality is also an im-
as impressive as he was, was likely barely visible above the top of the portant consideration.
only three or four years old. I was stark, winter-brown plants. As for The A-Bolt 3 neither looks nor
after an old doe or two because the the doe, she didn’t make it very far, feels like an inexpensive gun, and it
freezer at home was getting low on and my freezer would indeed be shoots very well. In fact, its profile
meat. filled this year. and design hearken back to the
There were two does that original A-Bolt Synthetic (no acci-
would work, both of which were old QUALITY IN THE MAKING dent, I’m sure). But while the AB3
deer. The first crossed the field di- Browning has achieved such shares the look and feel of the older
rectly in front of me and I slipped status and recognition in the hunt- A-Bolt, mechanically they are two
the A-Bolt 3 in .30-06 up and over ing and shooting world that simply totally different guns. In fact, the
the top of the stand rail and settled seeing the Buckmark logo is often- AB3 shares more mechanical ele-
the gun against my shoulder, mak- times enough persuasion for con- ments with the new X-Bolt than the
ing sure once more that the deer in sumers to buy, but the company old A-Bolt.
my line of vision was indeed the has not let that success diminish
CHECK THIS OUT
The new AB3 features a three-
lug, push-feed bolt design with a
bolt that’s the same diameter as
the locking lugs, allowing for a 60-
degree bolt lift and a smooth, slick,
wobble-free bolt stroke. The but-
ton-rifled barrel is free-floated, and
each barrel is triple-checked for
straightness and then air-gauged to
insure that the diameter is consis-
tent throughout. Chambers are
hand-reamed for tighter tolerance
and correct headspace, and the
muzzle has a target crown to pro-
tect the rifling from damage.
The two-position safety is lo-
The AB3 has the look of other
Browning rifles, particularly its cated on the tang—a position I be-
namesake, the A-Bolt. However, lieve is the most convenient of all
the AB3 is more closely related
to the new X-Bolt rifle. locations (you’ll read why later)—
and there’s a bolt release button

www.gunworld.com APRIL 2015 | GUN WORLD 37

GW-AB3-34-43-cx-36-38-MH_EJM 2/10/15 1:33 AM Page 38

The AB3 has a right-hand palm swell that helps

secure the rifle and makes it more comfortable
to shoot. The composite stock has a textured
pistol grip and forearm for a secure hold.

located just above the bolt handle. get the trigger can surprise you be-
SPECIFICATIONS The arrangement allows you to cause it doesn’t take much pressure
have a two-position safety while to send a bullet downrange, which
BROWNING AB3 still having the ability to unlock the is a great aid in overall accuracy. I’ve
bolt in the safe position for loading tested two AB3 rifles, one in 7mm
Action: Centerfire Bolt Action and unloading. When the system Remington Magnum and one in .30-
becomes familiar to you, it is sec- 06 (the one that I tested in
Caliber: .30-06 (tested), .270,
ond-nature. The bolt handle itself Arkansas) and both shot around
7mm Rem Mag, .300 Win Mag
has a flattened knob. Though the one-inch groups with quality fac-
Capacity: 4 rounds AB3 has no sights, it is drilled and tory ammunition.
tapped to accept 8-40 screws (two The AB3’s stock is composite
Barrel Length: 22 inches (tested), per base). and has angular lines that aren’t
26 inches too avant-garde for most shooters’
THERE’S MORE tastes, yet the rifle looks modern
Weight: 6 pounds, 13 ounces
Today’s bolt gun shooters de- and shoulders well. Textured grip
Finish: Matte Blued mand a good trigger regardless of panels help you hold the rifle, and
price point, so any rifle, budget or the AB3 comes with a right-hand
Stock: Black composite otherwise, needs to have a crisp, palm swell that fills the non-shoot-
clean trigger pull. The AB3’s inte- ing hand and helps stabilize the
Overall Length: 42.75 inches
grated trigger system works very rifle.

MSRP: $599 well and it breaks just at 3.5 pounds The detachable box magazine
as advertised. When you’re on tar- latch is located at the front of the

38 GUN WORLD | APRIL 2015 www.gunworld.com

GW_1504_39 2/2/15 6:34 AM Page 39

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GW-AB3-34-43-cx-36-38-MH_EJM 2/10/15 1:33 AM Page 40

The AB3 may have a budget price tag, but it’s a well-built rifle that looks good and shoots great. It looks more expensive
than its price tag suggests.

magazine and the stock comes with the first hunter to pull the trigger, property. It was another wheat field,
Browning’s outstanding Inflex Tech- and as we drove back on the sec- but I was positioned facing into the
nology recoil pad, which redirects ond night word came in via cell woods and toward a large patch of
recoil away from the shooter’s face. phone that she had taken a big 13- thick, head-high cane that
Overall, the AB3 is an excellent rifle point buck at the far end of the stretched for a hundred yards.
that looks and feels like a much property. It was much quieter than the
more expensive gun. It’s available in On the second night I managed original location, but as the deer fil-
.30-06, .270 (22 inch barrel), 7mm to harvest the big doe, and in an ef- tered into the field I couldn’t get a
Remington Magnum and .300 Win- fort to let the area rest after the shot through the trees. I still had a
chester magnum (26 inch barrel). shot I moved to a different location doe permit as well as two buck
Look for short-action calibers to fol- not far from the main house on the tags, but even after almost two-
low.

WHY SCI?
WINDOW OF
On the hunt in Arkansas, we were joined by Nelson Freeman of Safari Club
OPPORTUNITY International, one of the leading organizations in the defense of sportsmen’s rights
At the range in Arkansas there across the country and around the globe. While Safari Club has been viewed as a
group for international hunters, few sportsmen and women know that Safari Club
was not a lot of work to be done; spends millions in defense of our right to hunt domestically, and the organization
remains vigilant against new legislation that poses a threat to our rights as hunters
Browning’s Scott Grange had and conservationists.
sighted the rifles in, and my own A- SCI was instrumental in the fight to defend Maine’s bear hunting, a costly battle
in which the rights of hunters were ultimately upheld. Without Safari Club and other
Bolt was shooting two inches high groups like it, our rights to hunt and fish would disappear, and with it the North
American conservation model that has proven so effective over the past century.
and a half-inch to the right. I ad- “Many people think that we’re all about big game hunting around the world,”
justed the Bushnell 3500 scope, Freeman says, “but I tell people we cover everything from rabbits to rhinos.”
As anti-hunting groups gather their resources for the fight to stop hunting, SCI
and the next two shots at the 100- is working to educate the public on the value of hunting and fishing. From
funding research projects on a variety of wild game to providing resources for
yard target were touching, both just teachers and school children, SCI is working to preserve our right to hunt and to
a couple inches above the bull. spread the word that hunters are the cornerstone of successful conservation efforts
in this country.
National Shooting Sports For more information about Safari Club’s programs visit SafariClub.org
Foundation’s Jennifer Pearsall was

40 GUN WORLD | APRIL 2015 www.gunworld.com

GW-AB3-34-43-cx-36-38-MH_EJM 2/10/15 1:33 AM Page 41

dozen deer had slipped out

of the woods and into the
field I could not get a clear
shot. Light was fading
quickly, and it was the last
day of the hunt.

OFFHAND EXERCISE
I heard the cane stalks
shiver and knew that there
was a deer to my right. Po-
sitioned as I was in my
stand, with my head ro-
tated to look over my left
shoulder at the deer in the
field, I was turned away
from the cane and was im-
mediately spotted by the
doe that was standing fifty
yards away. I couldn’t turn
to shoot right-handed—
that would surely send her
rushing back into the cane
before I had my chance—so
I very slowly lifted the AB3
with my left hand and slid it
into position on the rail,
moving only a few inches at
a time as the doe stamped
and snorted.
When the rifle came to
rest on the rail I managed
to slip the safety off with
my left hand and actually
shot the doe from that po-
sition (thank you, tang
safety). As the rifle cracked
the doe spun, ran four
NSSF’s Jennifer Pearsall with an excellent 13-point whitetail buck she took with her AB3 in
yards, then turned and col- .270. The Federal Fusion bullet entered the deer as he was quartering towards her and dropped
lapsed almost where she him on the spot.

had been standing.

cheap gun, and it has all the fea-
GREAT GUN, GREAT PRICE tures you’ve come to expect from a CONTACT
With two does in the freezer I high-quality Browning rifle with a
Browning
had accomplished what I came to price tag almost anyone can afford.
(800) 333-3288
Arkansas for, and I was more im- GW
pressed than ever with the A-Bolt 3.
Browning.com
It’s an inexpensive gun, but not a

www.gunworld.com APRIL 2015 | GUN WORLD 41

GW-THOMPSON-44-53 2/6/15 2:47 AM Page 44

Talkin’ Text & Photos by Leroy Thompson

TOMMY GUN
Nearly a Hundred Years of Full Auto Rock & Roll

The Thompson M1928 with

50-round drum magazine.
Note the finned barrel and
Cutts Compensator.

44 GUN WORLD | APRIL 2015 www.gunworld.com

GW-THOMPSON-44-53 2/6/15 2:47 AM Page 45

I
sn’t it funny how seemingly
small stuff from your
childhood can still influence
you throughout your whole life?
I became interested in
the Thompson submachine gun
(Tommy gun) when I was
very young. Those were the
wonderful non-politically
correct days when my friends
and I had toy guns and—gasp,
gasp—we pretended to shoot
each other while we were
playing Good Guys & Bad Guys.
“Bang-bang. You’re dead!”
“Un-uhh, you just winged me!”

www.gunworld.com APRIL 2015 | GUN WORLD 45

GW-THOMPSON-44-53 2/6/15 2:47 AM Page 46

Adding to my budding fertile weapon better suited to short en-

imagination and lust for adventure, gagement distances of trench war-
my last name is Thompson and I’m fare. Within a year, in 1917,
named for my uncle who was a Thompson was recalled to active
Tommy gun-carrying paratrooper service to be in charge of small
killed in action during the Battle for arms design as Chief of the Small
the Bulge in World War II. Arms Division of the U.S. War De-
Guess who always used a partment’s Ordnance Office.
Tommy gun during Good Guys & Although General Thompson
Bad Guys? had used his considerable influence
(before and after leaving active
THOMPSON’S DREAM duty in 1918) to push for a hand-
During the course of his distin- held machine gun for use in trench
guished military career, General warfare, the Annihilator prototypes
John T. Thompson (no relation) be- (as they were known) weren’t ready
came a strong proponent of auto- until the day the Armistice was
matic weapons. signed in November, 1918.
In 1916, Thompson formed the After the Great War, Thompson
Auto Ordnance Company to de- became President of Auto Ord-
velop a small automatic rifle as a nance, and oversaw the adaptation

46 GUN WORLD | APRIL 2015 www.gunworld.com

GW-THOMPSON-44-53 2/6/15 2:48 AM Page 47

of the military automatic gun to the manufacture of the Thompson

A US Marine of the
1st Division engages nonmilitary markets. SMG, as the weapon was now
the Japanese with
Classified as a submachine called. The initial contract called for
his Thompson M1 in
the South Pacific. gun, because it was a small, hand- Colt to produce 15,000 Thompsons,
(NARA photo)
held automatic weapon that used with the first production models
.45 ACP pistol-caliber ammunition, available in March 1921, designated
the commercial designation was – the M1921A. The 1921A was a beau-
no surprise – the Thompson sub- tifully crafted firearm and examples
machine gun. are highly sought by collectors.
Standard features of the
INITIAL DESIGNS M1921A, including the finned barrel,
Much of the design for what ladder-type rear sight, slotted cock-
would become the Thompson sub- ing handle atop the receiver (so
machine gun (SMG) was carried that the front sight could be seen
out by Oscar V. Payne. Others in- through it), pistol grip and fore grip,
volved in developing the Thompson a removable buttstock, a selector
SMG were Theodore H. Eickhoff switch on the left side of the re-
and George E. Goll. ceiver, and the ability to accept box
Improvements continued on or drum magazines.
the basic design, resulting in a con- In 1926, the Cutts compensator,
tract between Auto Ordnance and which had slots on top to vent
Colt for

Left side view of the

Thompson M1928. The
drum magazine slides
into place, the box
magazine is inserted
from below. The mag
release lever works
with both types of
magazines.

www.gunworld.com APRIL 2015 | GUN WORLD 47

GW-THOMPSON-44-53 2/6/15 2:48 AM Page 48

Detailed view of the

drum magazine. Note
the lever used to wind
the internal spring when
loading the mag.

M1928 Lyman
ladder rear sight
with adjustable
aperture. Note the
slotted cocking
handle.

48 GUN WORLD | APRIL 2015 www.gunworld.com

GW-THOMPSON-44-53-cx-49-51-MH 2/9/15 11:57 PM Page 49

gases upward to reduce muzzle rise, POST-WWI MARKETS early purchasers were sympathizers
was added. Guns so equipped were Despite the quality of the of the Irish Republican Army, who
designated M1921AC. M1921A and M1921AC, it was still sent Thompsons to Ireland. The
When the U.S. Navy ordered necessary to find a market. Early “Thompson Gun” became famous
Thompsons for sailors and Marines, buyers included U.S. Postal In- in Irish Republican ballads and still
they asked for the cyclic rate to be spectors who issued Thompsons turns up occasionally in Ireland
reduced, which was accomplished to the United States Marine today.
by adding weight to the actuator Corps to protect the mail. Later, Based on information from
(cocking handle) and reducing the the Marines would use their own friends in the Garda Siochana, the
strength of the recoil and buffer Thompsons in the counterinsur- IRA reportedly used at least a few
springs. gency “Banana Wars” in Latin of the rarely seen 100-round drums
The resulting version of the America and Caribbean. Do- for their Thompsons.
Thompson was designated the mestic and foreign law enforce-
M1928, 1,500 of which were ac- ment agencies purchased CHANGING HANDS
cepted by the U.S. Navy in March Thompsons, as did some indus- In 1928, John Thompson had
1932, as the “Gun Submachine. Cal- trial security forces to use retired as the head of Auto Ord-
iber .45, US Navy Model of 1928.” against striking workers. nance. The company continued in
Among the more famous business for the next decade,
though operating at a loss.
After the death of Thompson
and his son, an entrepreneur named
Russell Maguire purchased the as-

Made in USA

MAKE RELOADING EASY

Fits
GSG-1911
and
SIG SAUER
1911-22
Mags

MAKE RELOADING EASY

www.mygtul.com
Staged photo of two paratroopers armed to the teeth. Note the trench 757-647-0805
knives, machete, and Thompson M1. (NARA photo)

www.gunworld.com APRIL 2015 | GUN WORLD 49

GW-THOMPSON-44-53 2/6/15 2:48 AM Page 50

Right side
view of the
Auto-Ordnance
M1928

sets of the company. A new com- figure would drop as production

SPECIFICATIONS
pany, named the Thompson Auto- was simplified. Price to the US Gov-
matic Arms Company, was formed ernment was $130 per gun and to
THOMPSON M1928
just in time for the beginning of the British or other foreign buyers

Action: Blish Principle World War II. $200 (about $3,329 in 2014 cur-
Delayed Blowback rency).
THE WAR EFFORT The Thompson was especially
Caliber: .45 ACP Colt had stopped producing popular with British Commandos
the Thompson because of the costs and would later be a staple with
Overall Length: 33.5 inches
and lack of sales, so with large U.S. Airborne troops. Demand for

Barrel Length: 12 inches with sales on the horizon due to wartime the Thompson was such that by
Cutts Compensator demand, Maguire had to find a February 1942, 500,000 had been
company to produce the Thomp- produced.
Weight: 10.8 pounds empty son.
Savage Arms was contracted WARTIME EXPEDIENCIES
Cartridge Capacity: 20- or 30-round
to produce the M1928 in the U.S. The M1928 proved more expen-
box magazine, 50- or 100-round drum
magazine (100-round rarely seen) Navy configuration. Production sive and difficult to produce than
began in May 1940, with orders was necessary for military use.
Sights: Rear—Lyman Ladder, plentiful from the U.S. armed forces Changes in production methods
Front—Post and the British, who were desperate and simplification of the Thompson
for weapons. design would result in the M1 mili-
Rate of Fire: 600-725 RPM
The Savage-produced Thomp- tary-grade Thompson widely used
sons were originally sold to Thomp- by US troops during World War II.
son Arms for $67 each, though that Among the changes from the

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“ Early buyers included

U.S. Postal Inspectors
who issued Thompsons
to the United States
Marine Corps to protect

”
the mail.

M1928 were replacement of the .45, Thompson M1.” Late in 1942, round drum. I have shot the M1928
machined ejector with one of spring additional manufacturing changes and M1 versions quite a bit, though.
steel, omitting the barrel cooling appeared in the next model, the I’ll admit that I prefer the
fins and the Cutts Compensator. M1A. M1928 to the M1, primarily because
Other modifications included re- Military production of the it is classic and elegant, but I also
placement of the Lyman rear sight Thompson continued until 1944, find that the Cutts Compensator
by a simple L-shaped peep sight, with 1,387,134 military Thompsons actually dampens muzzle rise.
removing the fore grip, and discon- of all types having been produced. The fore grip helps control the
tinuing the drum magazine in favor M1928, as well. Oddly enough, I also
of box magazines. THOMPSON SHOOTS find that the top cocking handle
Costs were reduced even more THE THOMPSON with the slot helps lead my eye
by converting the Thompson to a I didn’t get to shoot a genuine from the rear peep sight to the front
simple blowback operating system, Thompson submachine gun until notch for faster sight acquisition.
and the top cocking handle was re- the 1960s when one was pulled out Recoil of either the M1928 or M1
located from the top of the receiver of a sheriff’s department armory is entirely manageable. For most
to the right side in the process. and taken to the range. They let me types of shooting, the simple peep
Many more design and manufactur- put one box magazine through it. sight on the M1 is enough, but for
ing changes came and went during Over the years, I have had ac- longer ranges, the Lyman ladder
the war, but are too numerous to cess to armories and collections sight on the M1928 is definitely a
address. The new version of the and have had a chance to do a rea- boon. Shooting semi-auto, Thomp-
Thompson cost the US Govern- sonable amount of shooting with sons are surprisingly accurate at
ment only $44.00. the Thompson. I can’t remember 100 yards. In fact, some skilled
The new design was desig- ever firing an M1921, nor have I fired World War II soldiers and Marines
nated “Gun, Submachine, Caliber Tommy gun equipped with a 100- became reasonably proficient using

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“ I became
interested
in the Thompson
submachine gun
(Tommy gun)
when I was

”
very young…
the Thompson in countersniper
roles.
Cyclic rate of the Thompson is
low enough that short controlled
bursts may be fired readily. I usually
try to shoot short bursts – 3-5
rounds. Yes, ripping through an en-
tire magazine may be fun but is not
considered good technique when
using an SMG. Short controlled
bursts are the way to go, and they
go well with the Thompson.

STILL LOVE THE

TOMMY GUN
The Thompson SMG is one of
the classic American firearms, and
it deserves to be. It is a stylish de-
sign in its earlier versions—and even
For better control, Thompson grasps the fore grip and leans into the gun when firing the
M1928 Thompson . to some extent in the M1—and cer-
tainly has its place in history. Any
time one of my Class III dealer or
collector friends talks about taking
a Thompson to the range, I start
gathering boxes of .45 ACP ammo:
“Tell me when and where!” GW

CONTACT
Auto-Ordnance
(508)795-3919
Auto-ordnance.com
Auto Ordnance markings and various patents that apply to the M1928

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GW_1504_53 2/3/15 1:42 AM Page 53
GW-LASERMAX-54-63.qxp 2/6/15 3:14 AM Page 54

Ruger’s 10/22 Carbine (blued

finish) has the new 10/22
LaserMax laser aiming device
mounted at the forend tip.

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Laser
Maximized
RUGER
Text & Photos by Dave Workman

A Ruger 10/22 Carbine with an

Onboard LaserMax Laser Makes
This Popular Rifle More Accurate
Than Ever

E
veryone looks good shooting a
Ruger 10/22, because this iconic
rimfire is engineered to the point
of near-perfection, allowing the opera-
tor to concentrate on shooting things. If
you do your part, the 10/22 puts rounds
where you want, repeatedly, for as long
as the ammunition holds out.

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GW-LASERMAX-54-63.qxp 2/6/15 3:14 AM Page 56

“ … I’ve shot thousands of

rounds through the gun; one
might say I’m familiar with

”
the Ruger 10/22 platform...

Picatinny-style accessory rails on the laser body are handy for adding a white tactical light and an infrared laser designator.

Celebrating its golden anniver- out. Then Ruger really got my atten- SIGHTS, STOCK
sary in 2014, the 10/22 has been of- tion when they released the 10/22 I grew up with traditional open
fered in so many variations that it’s Carbine with an 18.5-inch barrel, sights, and the 10/22 Carbine
impossible to list them all. In addi- black synthetic stock, and the new comes prepared. It is fitted with a
tion, an incredible industry devel- 10/22 LaserMax laser sight gold bead front sight that is dove-
oped to produce 10/22 parts and mounted beneath the barrel, ahead tailed into a base so it can be ad-
accessories, providing replace- of the forend. The 10/22 LaserMax justed for windage. The
ments and upgrades to make your laser was created specifically for no-nonsense folding leaf rear sight
10/22 uniquely suited for your per- the Ruger 10/22 and is available on is adjustable for both windage and
sonal requirements. the synthetic-stock/blued finish elevation.
A few years ago, I evaluated my 10/22 Carbine. The composite stock has a
personal 10/22 in these same The 10/22 Laser unit is unob- checkered curved molded butt, and
pages. Since then, I’ve shot thou- trusive, has an ambidextrous on-off there is molded checkering on the
sands of rounds through the gun; switch, and is easily adjustable for grip surface and forend. Smaller
one might say I’m familiar with the windage and elevation. Integral Pi- shooters may like the 13.5-inch
Ruger 10/22 platform and consider catinny-style accessory rails on the length of pull, but it was a bit short
it a classic. laser body are handy for adding a for me.
white tactical light and an infrared Oddly, there are no sling swivel
LASERFICATION laser designator. Although I haven’t studs or molded attaching pads for
I was satisfied that I had the been too keen on lasers in general, QD swivels anywhere on the stock.
Ruger10/22 and variants figured this one works well. To me, this seems like a manufac-

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turing omission that may turn out I’m a devoted fan of the made good barrels for the 10/22
to be an error on Ruger’s part. One 10/22 rotary magazine. I have and I’ll stand by that. This one is
could solve the problem easily two for my personal rifle, one in cold hammer-forged, and is cut
enough with a Vero Velini sling or basic black and the other a clear with six lands and grooves on a
similar product that doesn’t require model from a few years ago. I 1:16-inch right hand twist.
swivels. also have one of Ruger’s superb
25-round BX-25 magazines to MOUNT UP
MAGAZINES AND MORE extend the fun. I like the 25- Further proof that Ruger thinks
This rifle features Ruger’s im- round magazine, but I feel dumb of just about everything, a scope
proved magazine release, which is because it makes shooting up a base adaptor is supplied with the
much better than before. On my hundred rounds too doggoned 10/22 Carbine LaserMax. The scope
older model 10/22, the 10-round easy. If you’re thinking about a base adaptor fastens to the top of
magazine releases by pressing a 10/22, you’d better plan on hav- the receiver and accepts Weaver-
latch right behind the magazine ing spare magazines. style and tip-off scope mounts.
well. On newer versions, including In an e-mail to Ruger’s Ken Once I had satisfied myself that the
this one, a synthetic lever projects Jorgensen in the middle of this iron sights were spot-on right out of
downward. Press the lever forward project, I noted that, in my hum- the box, I mounted the base and
to release the magazine. ble opinion, Ruger has always put on one of my favorite rimfire
scopes.
However, there is a drawback
with the scope base adaptor
arrangement: once the rail is

The updated magazine release lever and the legendary Ruger 10-round
rotary box magazine.

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GW-LASERMAX-54-63.qxp 2/6/15 3:15 AM Page 58

The 10/22 LaserMax laser

sight easily switches on/off
with an ambidextrous
switch. Note the red dot of
light emitting from the unit.

The folding rear sight is

adjustable for both
windage and elevation.

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Top view of the Laser-

Max accessory rails,
ideal mounting points
for lights to pursue
nocturnal activities.

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The gold bead

front sight is drift
adjustable for
windage.

SPECIFICATIONS

Ruger 10/22 Carbine LaserMax

Manufacturer: Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.

Model: 10/22 Carbine

(with LaserMax laser)

Caliber: .22 Long Rifle

Capacity: 10 rounds

Barrel: 18.5 inches, blued steel

Receiver: Alloy steel

Stock: Black synthetic

LOP: 13.5 inches

Weight: 5 pounds

OAL: 37 inches

Sights: Gold bead front, For maximum sighting

flexibility, Workman mounted
adjustable leaf rear, LaserMax laser his trusty Bushnell Banner
1.75-4X on the Ruger-supplied
MSRP: $399 scope base adaptor.

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GW-LASERMAX-54-63.qxp 2/6/15 3:16 AM Page 61

mounted, it is not possible to use the rabbit just stayed still too long NO PROBLEMS
the rear sight. for its own good. Cottontails or There were no malfunctions
snowshoe hares, it makes no differ- with the rifle while I was evaluating
SHOT PLACEMENT ence. They can’t outrun a bullet, it, and I deliberately used some old
From a sandbag rest, once I got and I would not be gambling to say rounds along with a lot of fresh
the Bushnell 1.75-4X Banner scope that lots of rabbits have fallen to ones, just to see if this 10/22 would
adjusted, I started shooting little the Ruger 10/22 over the past 50 choke or cough a little. The Ruger
chunks of broken orange clay tar- years. didn’t give a speck of trouble, only
gets at 25 yards. It’s pretty similar to Tin cans were made for target dead-bang accuracy.
shooting blue grouse in the head practice, and I keep a supply of I cannot recall a 10/22 mal-
when they’re perched on a tree limb empties for just such shooting op- functioning in my presence. One
or sitting stock still on a log, trying portunities. A good-sized tin can is can presume it happens, but it must
to be invisible. about the same size as the upper be so rare that it would qualify as
Rabbits can be an easier chal- body of a rabbit, and the ends are news. Considering the millions of
lenge because they are bigger and about the size of the head. Lay one rounds of rimfire ammunition that
tend to stand still at times, appar- of these on its side at 25 yards and have gone through Ruger 10/22s
ently hoping to go unnoticed. Many plug away with the 10/22, and soon over the past half-century without
a plump bunny has filled a pan or you will be begging for hunting sea- major malfunctions, it’s probably
pot because somebody could han- son to come back around. some kind of record. It is certainly a
dle an accurate .22-caliber rifle, and testament to the reliability of the
model.

ENVISION
At 37 inches OAL, the 10/22
Carbine LaserMax will swing fast in
the brush or the barnyard, and it
can be a real workhorse. I would
have no qualms tossing it behind
the truck seat in a gun case with a
box of shells to make sure I had a
firearm along on a jaunt into the
mountains.
The tough, all-weather syn-
thetic stock means the Ruger 10/22
Carbine could be a terrific trail gun
because it is so light. At five
pounds, one could easily sling it
over a shoulder along with a back-
pack or daypack and not really no-
tice it.
Or it could also be a fine com-
panion for hiking in the woods
where the light might not be the
best. This is where the laser could
come in very handy because you
can spot small game and zero on
dinner with the red dot.

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Serious precision
shooting stabilized
by this Caldwell
sandbag rest.

nitely have a use in the field, but re-

member that the iron sights and a
mounted scope will carry the day
most of the time.
Having written about guns for
several years, one can always tell a
real winner because it’s the one you
don’t want to send back. I’m happy
to admit the 10/22 Carbine Laser-
Max falls into that category. I like
the 10/22 and it easily has another
50 years over the horizon. GW

Iron sights, the LaserMax laser sight, and the scope all produced remarkable groups,
with the 10/22 consistently shooting to the point of aim. CONTACT
Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.
WE HAVE A WINNER appreciate and like using techno- (603) 865-2442
The Ruger 10/22 Carbine Laser- logical advances, even on a .22 rifle. Ruger.com
Max will likely appeal to those who I think this gun’s laser will defi-

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GW_1504_63 2/2/15 6:39 AM Page 63

M&P® PISTOLS. AN EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE TO FEEL TO BELIEVE.

ERGONOMIC FIT FOR MORE CONTROL. PRECISION BUILT FOR MORE ACCURACY.
.22LR s 9MM s .40S&W s .45ACP

#EXPERIENCE #MANDP AT SMITH-WESSON.COM/MPPISTOLS

GW-HUNTER-64-69 2/6/15 3:38 AM Page 64

TODAY’S
HUNTER

When a herd of elk senses potential

danger, they will often bunch together
before stringing off in single file. The
smart hunter will wait for a clear shot,
and if it isn’t possible an opportunity
may present itself as the animals begin
to move out.

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Becoming
ELK POSITIVE
Text and Photos by Thomas C. Tabor

6 Common Sense Tips to Help

You Search, Spot and Shoot

M
ost hunters who have taken up the
challenge of putting brown on the
ground in elk country will be quick to
point out that being successful is a daunting
challenge for any hunter, from novices to
experts. Patterning the movements of an elk
herd can be extremely difficult, and if you are
lucky enough to get an opportunity to
squeeze the trigger you may also find these
animals to be bullet resistant at times.

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TODAYʼS HUNTER

The elk’s propensity to hang to the top of the ridges

in open country can present opportunities after
the animals have moved over the top. By moving
quickly to the crest a hunter can sometimes get
an opportunity to squeeze off a shot.

Nevertheless, by understanding to them. That is why you often find

how the elk’s mind operates and a herd standing on an open hillside
combining that knowledge with that is elevated from surrounding
some tips I have found useful over terrain and devoid of any cover
the years, I hope you will soon be taller than your own knee caps, or in
successful in tying your tag on the the center of an agricultural field
antlers of one of these magnificent well away from anything that could
animals. hide its approach.
When in open terrain, the elk
OPEN COUNTRY will most often take advantage of
MOVEMENTS the ridge tops in order to move from
Hunting any game in open one area to another. They do that
country can be difficult, but when because it provides them the best
you are trying to approach a herd of possible opportunity to monitor
elk with up to 200 eyes searching both sides of the hill for any threats,
for impending danger it can some- but in some cases this can set the
times seem impossible to over- scene for an ambush of the herd.
come. But understanding how elk Eventually, upon reaching their in-
think in these types of situations tended destination, the majority of
can help you to be successful. the herd may drop over the edge,
The elk instinctively knows that but often one or more animals will
open terrain provides them the abil- linger behind for a time to act as
ity to spot any approaching danger sentry.
long before it can become a threat This is where you must exercise

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a bit of patience, because those ing it much more difficult to predict WHERE THE BULLS ARE
lookouts will usually join up with wintertime herd movements. If the If you are lucky enough to have
the herd. Your best tactic in this wolves make their way into the high your elk season open during the
type of situation is to simply stay country, it can drive the elk to lower bulging rut this is a great time for
put and out of sight until you can terrain much earlier than normal hunting. Usually in late August or in
approach the crest and peer over and in some cases cause them to early September the bulls become
without detection. avoid the high country completely. preoccupied with their love making,
This has, on occasion, brought the keeping their harem of cows
THE WOLF FACTOR elk into significant conflict with rounded up and running off any rival
As the chill of winter starts to farmers and ranchers who do not bulls encroaching on their territory.
descend on the area, the elk will necessarily like losing their valuable Because the entire herd is in a
usually have an inclination to move feed crops to the elk herds. On the heightened state of preoccupation
away from the high country and other hand, if the wolves are not in at this time, it can make a stealthy
seek out easier grazing at lower ter- the immediate area, the high coun- approach a bit easier.
rains. But because they instinctively try will generally hold the herd for During the rut the bulls are con-
know that the high country usually some time after the freezing stantly on the move. The herd bull
provides them a certain amount of weather and snow has begun. In is occupied attempting to keep his
protection, they are sometimes re- this interim period between the cows rounded up and the younger
luctant to leave too quickly. In many heart of winter and the first snows, bulls are attempting to sneak in for
areas, however, the encroachment the wise hunter watches the south a little action of their own. After the
of the wolves will significantly dis- facing slopes because these are the rut comes to an end, however,
rupt typical elk movement. areas that melt off the quickest and everything changes. At this time the
The wolf factor will, in essence, frequently hold the best grazing po- bulls become considerably less ag-
throw a wild card into the mix, mak- tential for the herd. gressive to one another and begin
hanging out together. They still re-
main a part of the herd, but will
most often be found around the
fringes.
Because of this, the wise
hunter will look to the outer edges
of the herd to locate a bull. And if
the entire herd is not fully visible, it
becomes imperative that those
outer areas be thoroughly investi-
gated for a bull that might be
standing in the shadows of the tim-
ber, or just over the adjacent hill-
side.

KEEP SHOOTING
An elk is an extremely tough
animal, and for that reason alone I
strongly recommend—even if you
think your shot was a good one—to

Agricultural cropland is a
stay put for a time and keep your
great place to find elk, and eye glued to the scope lens in case
sometimes the landowner
will be open to allowing you a backup shot is needed.
hunting access.

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TODAYʼS HUNTER
lets were only available as hand-
loading components, but today all
can be found loaded in factory pro-
duced ammunition, as well as bul-
lets for reloading. But just like all
things in life, good quality products
typically carry a higher price than
products meant to simply attract
customers with their low price. Nev-
ertheless, the cost of ammunition
always pales in comparison to the
other costs associated with most
any hunt.
So go ahead and drive around
looking for the lowest price on gas
to fill your tank, select a bargain flo-
rescent hunting vest, or cut corners
on the lunch meat for your sand-
wich, but never attempt to do the
same when it comes to the ammu-
nition you intend to use for your elk
hunt.

SIGHTING-IN
Approaching a large herd of elk
can be difficult, and occasionally
calls for longer range shooting. That
Tom took this nice old bull using his Ruger 1B single shot chambered in .300 Win. Mag. being the case, many hunters prefer
The shot was in open terrain at about 300 yards.

BULLET AND If you’ve read my column in the

AMMO QUALITY past, you probably already know
Nowhere is there a greater that I have very strong preferences
need for good quality ammunition when it comes to hunting big game.
than when your crosshairs have set- My own personal favorites include
tled on the shoulder of an elk. The the Nosler Partition, Barnes’ Triple-
combination of tautly stretched Shock X (or the Tipped Triple-
muscles and tremendously heavy Shock X), Swift’s A-Frame and the
bone mass can literally shred a Norma Oryx. Even though the inter-
poorly constructed bullet. So if I nal design of these bullets varies,
had only one piece of advice, it sometimes quite dramatically, they
would have be this: do not compro- all hold together well, penetrate
mise on the quality of bullets or deep, possess good frontal expan-
ammunition. This is not the place sion and retain a high degree of
for ammunition from the “bargain penetration. Those are the factors
basket” sales that some sporting necessary if you want to be consis-
goods dealers run to draw potential tently successful while elk hunting.
customers into their shop. At one time many of these bul-

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to sight their rifles in to shoot a cou- muzzle of the barrel under the
ple of inches high at 100 yards. Part line of sight. Sighting your rifle in
of the logic behind doing so is that to shoot a bit high at 100 yards
it helps eliminate the necessity of could actually be beneficial if an
thinking about trajectory drop when animal unexpectedly presents it-
your adrenaline is pumping and self at very close range.
that bull of a lifetime is standing
broadside 300 yards from you. With THE WAY I SEE IT
some flat shooting calibers this With the possible exception
would allow you to simply place of bighorn sheep, no other North
your scope’s crosshairs on the in- American animal holds the ad-
tended area of impact, squeeze off miration of hunters more than
the shot and still have your bullet the elk. The elk is an impressive
fall nicely within the kill zone. critter that makes a striking tro-
How high you decide to sight phy, and is possibly second only
your rifle in is essentially dependant to sheep when it comes to table
on how long you anticipate the fare. All this makes the elk one of
shots to be and how flat shooting our most cherished game ani-
your cartridge is. For example, if you mals for the hunter. Many hun-
are shooting a .30-06 you might dreds of thousands of miles are
opt to sight your rifle in to shoot traveled each and every year in
about 3 inches high at 100 yards, hopes of squeezing the trigger on
while a hunter shooting a .300 Win- one of these superb animals, and
chester Magnum may decide on if you succeed in that endeavor
only 2 inches high due to the .300’s you can be very proud of your ac-
flatter shooting capabilities. complishment. GW
Remember that all bullets fly in
an arc pattern, typically leaving the

A lone sentry has remained behind on

the ridge top to monitor for danger.
Eventually this animal will join the herd, With the extensive line
and the wise hunter will stay hidden of authentic Umarex
until that happens. action pistols, now
you can train without
traveling to the range.
They are authentic in
shape, weight, and
feel, like their firearm
counterparts, but use
readily available, low
cost ammunition.

See the selection here:

UmarexUSA.com/GUNWORLD

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GW-RELOAD-70-75 2/6/15 3:54 AM Page 70

RELOAD

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THE Text & Photos by James E. House

RELOADER’S
Chemistry Set
It Takes More than Quality Dies, Cases
and Powder to Keep the Reloading
Process Running Smoothly

S
omeone who works on cars
needs more than wrenches.
Parts and tools need to be
cleaned, protected, and lubricated. In
the same way, those of us who load a
lot of ammunition need more than just
a press, dies, and the components.
Cases should be properly cleaned, and
they must generally be lubricated
during the resizing step. During the
removal of spent primers, debris
collects on the press ram so it needs to
be cleaned periodically. These are just
a few of the operations involving the
use of chemicals by the reloader. In this
piece, I want to describe some of the
chemical formulations that have
worked well for me. There are many
products from various suppliers that
may work just as well, but I do not
mention them if I haven’t tried them.
Several products are
useful in performing
operations during
reloading.

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RELOAD

G96 Complete Gun Treatment

cleans, prevents rust, and lubricates
to give a finishing touch to guns and
reloading equipment.

CASE LUBE from sheep wool and it is a sticky, was a sticky slime that was hard to
When I first started loading gooey material that does not have a remove from the outside of cases
over half a century ago, the choice pleasant smell. He used powdered without using some sort of organic
of products was only a fraction of graphite for lubricating the inside of solvent.
what it is today. My older shooting case necks so they would move After traveling the long and
buddy of those bygone years indoc- over the expander plug. For a long winding road to product selection, I
trinated me in the hobby and he time, I followed the practices that I discovered Lee Resizing Lubricant.
used lanolin to lubricate the out- learned from him. Eventually, I tried It is a white cream that comes in a
sides of cases. Lanolin is made another type of case lube but it too plastic tube, so it’s as convenient to

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use as toothpaste. I apply it to the lubricant is easily removed by CASE CLEANING

cases by simply putting a dab on simply wiping the case with a paper I have become very particular
my finger and rubbing it along the towel or a piece of cloth. It’s readily about how my cases look, so I ex-
case, letting a very small amount go cleaned from your hands by simply pend a lot of effort to achieve the
over the case mouth into the neck. washing them with warm water. I result I want. After resizing and de-
That lubricates the case for the know there are other case lubri- priming, I first use an ultrasound
work of the expander plug. More- cants that work well, but Lee Resiz- bath which cleans the inside, out-
over, after the case has been sized, ing Lubricant does all that I need. side, and primer pocket. The usual
cleaner used in ultrasonic baths is
citric acid. It’s available as a con-
centrated solution that must be di-
luted before use. Solid citric acid is
also available in health food stores
and in the canning section of some
supermarkets because it is used in
a variety of food products. I some-
times make my own solutions using
solid citric acid by adding about
half a teaspoon to a quart of water.
In addition to cleaning cases in
an ultrasonic bath, I find it useful to
clean them with a case tumbler in
which I use a corn cob or walnut
abrasive and some liquid commer-
cial cleaner. I have tried a few types
of tumblers, and all work well, but
the tumbler I use most is one sold
by Cabela’s. My Cabela’s tumbler
came with a bottle of cleaner, and I
found that the combination worked
superbly, so I stuck with it.

CASE POLISHING
Even though my cases come
from the tumbler clean and bright, I
want more. Therefore, I take an
extra step, especially if the cases
have some stubborn tarnish. One of
the two processes that I employ is
briskly rubbing the case with 0000
steel wool. This will remove tarnish
and clean right to the metal sur-
face, especially on sooty case
necks. The second step I often take
involves commercial brass polish.
Lubricating cases during Every supermarket has brass polish
resizing is necessary and
the Lee product works well. in the cleaning supplies section,
and the one I settled on is called Mr.

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GW-RELOAD-70-75 2/6/15 3:54 AM Page 74

RELOAD

The effect of thoroughly

cleaning cases is illustrated in
this before-and-after photo.

Metal. The stuff really works. It con-

tains ammonia, like some other
brass polishes, and can cause skin
irritation, so you may want to wear
thin rubber gloves or at least wash
your hands right after using such a
product. If you want that highly pol-
ished look to your ammunition, then
you should definitely end your case
preparation with a little brass pol-
ish.

OTHER GOODIES
In addition to the cleaning and
polishing formulations, I use a vari-
ety of other chemicals on a regular
basis. To prevent rust on dies and
other equipment, I use a general
cleaning and lubricating product.
One product that works especially
well is G96® Gun Treatment, which
Rubbing cases with is available in 4.5 and 12-ounce
brass polish on a piece of cans. It removes light rust, protects
flannel adds an attractive
finishing touch. metal surfaces, and provides lubri-
cation. I also occasionally wipe the

74 GUN WORLD | APRIL 2015 www.gunworld.com

GW-RELOAD-70-75 2/6/15 3:54 AM Page 75

insides of dies with a cloth notices listed on the bottle. Also, Other suppliers offer products that
sprayed with WD-40 for clean- Hoppe’s No. 9 will dissolve nickel, perform the same functions and
ing and rust prevention. which has many of the characteris- you may have your favorite brands.
Although intended as a sol- tics of copper, and it should be However, products that perform
vent for gun cleaning, Hoppe’s wiped from nickel plated guns these functions are indispensable
No. 9 is useful for other cleaning quickly. for producing ammunition that
purposes. I was not around A few other items may be used looks good and performs well, and
when it was introduced in 1903, occasionally in my loading, but for keeping reloading tools clean
but Hoppe’s No. 9 and I go back these constitute my essential and rust-free. GW
a very long way. For many years, chemistry set on the loading bench.
it was the only gun cleaning sol-
vent that I used. Hoppe’s No. 9
is flammable and contains com-
pounds that can be absorbed
through the skin. It dissolves
copper and gilding metal bullet
residues in barrels as well as
those from nitrocellulose based
propellants. Follow all safety

CONTACT INTRODUCING THE

RRA 1911 POLY
Cabela’s RRA delivers the 1911 iconic style pistol into
(800) 237-4444 a lightweight, single-stack polymer frame.

Cabelas.com
1911 POLY
PRE-PRODUCTION MODEL SHOWN.
SPECIFICATIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Hoppe’s WITHOUT NOTICE.

(800) 423-3537
Hoppes.com

G96 Products Company

(973) 684-4050
G96.com

Lee Precision, Inc.

(262) 673-3075
LeePrecision.com

Lyman Products Corp.

(800) 225-9626
LymanProducts.com

Northern Labs, Inc.

(920) 684-7137
MrMetal.com
ROCKRIVERARMS.COM

www.gunworld.com APRIL 2015 | GUN WORLD 75

GW-HANDGUNS-76-81 2/6/15 4:08 AM Page 76

HANDGUNS

76 GUN WORLD | APRIL 2015 www.gunworld.com

GW-HANDGUNS-76-81 2/6/15 4:09 AM Page 77

SHOT
Show Trifecta
Text & Photos by Dave Workman

Three Product Introductions Make a Favorable

Impression During Industry Day at the Range

V
isiting the annual
Shooting, Hunting and
Outdoor Trade (SHOT)
Show in Las Vegas invariably
includes a trek to a big gun
range out by Boulder that
provides gun writers an
opportunity to check out some
of the new guns and ammuni-
tion, and I took full advantage
of the day.

Workman tries out the

latest Ruger SR1911, the
Lightweight with an
aluminum frame.

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GW-HANDGUNS-76-81 2/6/15 4:09 AM Page 78

HANDGUNS
Among the best new entries, in incredible material that is light, pistol at the earliest possible op-
my humble opinion, is Ruger’s rugged and — in this specific func- portunity in these pages.
SR1911 Lightweight Commander- tion — could easily last a lifetime.
Style pistol, which was so impres- Another thing people will like is WINCHESTER
sive that I’m going to have a test the thinness of the hardwood grip TRAIN & DEFEND
gun shipped out for a more in- panels. This pistol will fit the hands The perfect match-up for
depth review in an upcoming issue. of most people, and during the Ruger’s new lightweight is Win-
It’s widely known I’m a fan of show, I actually recommended to a chester’s W Train & Defend ammu-
the Colt Lightweight Commander, a small lady I visited with to sprint to nition line. Winchester has carefully
.45-caliber pistol that is my typical the Ruger exhibit and wrap her pe- produced a family of ammunition
carry gun. Ruger’s new entry is a tite hand around the SR1911. that matches training bullet
sweetheart with a couple of fea- Ruger supplies this 29.3-ounce weights with duty bullet weights.
tures that make it a winner. pistol with two seven-round maga- The principle is brilliant.
First, at the range I hit every- zines, a bushing wrench, three-dot A shooter trains with ammuni-
thing I shot at. Second — and this is Novak LoMount sights and more. tion that is literally identical to what
important — Ruger designers added It’s got a beavertail grip safety, a ti- one carries on the street for duty or
a remarkably intelligent feature tanium firing pin, and the popular personal protection. For example,
that could make this pistol the best “Series 70” design. It comes with a the .45 ACP loads feature a 230-
of its genre. It’s got a polished tita- soft case. grain FMJ for training on the range
nium feed ramp. That single design I could have spent the entire and a 230-grain JHP for serious so-
upgrade from the original alu- range day shooting this pistol, and I cial work. Both rounds push their
minum-framed lightweight pistol plan to remedy that unsatisfied respective projectiles out of the
gives the Ruger what I believe will need in the near future. I will detail muzzle at 850 fps and when I ran
be the winning edge. Titanium is an my further experiences with this them both at the range through a

“ Titanium is an incredible
material that is light, rugged
and — in this specific
function — could easily

”
last a lifetime.

One feature Workman likes

is the SR1911’s titanium feed
ramp. He plans to get a test
gun for a full-blown evaluation
in these pages soon.

78 GUN WORLD | APRIL 2015 www.gunworld.com

GW-HANDGUNS-76-81 2/6/15 4:09 AM Page 79

Winchester’s Train & Defend ammunition solves the problem of training with loads that differ from loads carried for personal defense.
Both the training and business loads have identical bullet weights and comparable powder charges for consistency.

Kimber .45, they shot to the same mation, and they are clearly marked seems to have launched a lot of
point of aim. so there can be no mistaking what clones.
This is the kind of thing a care- is inside. The M&P Bodyguard comes
ful handloader strives for — match- with two magazines. One has a fin-
ing his practice ammo with what he CRIMSON TRACE M&P ger rest floor plate that extends
might use in a match or for personal BODYGUARD VERSION down slightly and forward below
protection. I did that for several Smith & Wesson had its Crim- the grip, and the other has a flat
years when I was competing in son Trace version of the M&P Body- floor plate. The polymer frame has
matches, and when I was simply guard semi-auto in .380 ACP at the a textured surface on both sides for
practicing for more serious work. range, and I put several rounds a solid hold even with wet hands,
Winchester now does that for us all. through it. The pistol has an integral and the front and rear sights are
Available in several calibers Crimson Trace laser housed in the dovetailed so they can be adjusted
ranging upwards from .380 ACP, front of the frame. for windage.
Train & Defend is packaged with 50 This one carries six rounds in This double-action-only ham-
rounds in the Train boxes and 20 the magazine with one in the cham- mer-fired semi-auto comes in a soft
rounds in the Defend boxes. The ber, and will easily fit in smaller case with an interior pouch for the
Train rounds are loaded in brass hands, making it a grand choice for pistol and a separate pouch for the
cases and lead-free primers, while women. The size also allows some- spare magazine. I was particularly
the Defend ammo comes with one to carry this pistol in their impressed by that, simply because
nickel-plated brass. There are also pocket, purse, an ankle holster, or it’s always been my impression that
loads in 9mm, .38 Special and .40 one of the so-called “tuckable” when a person grabs a pistol and
S&W. deep cover rigs including the one I heads for the door, there ought to
Each box features load infor- designed nearly 20 years ago that be spare ammunition.

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GW-HANDGUNS-76-81 2/6/15 4:09 AM Page 80

HANDGUNS

Workman found that the little .380 ACP powerhouse was reliable and accurate during a range session at the January SHOT Show.

“ The range gun shot right

to where the Crimson
Trace red dot settled on
the paper target about 10

”
yards away.

Smith & Wesson’s M&P

Bodyguard in .380 ACP has
an integral Crimson Trace
laser sight.

80 GUN WORLD | APRIL 2015 www.gunworld.com

GW-HANDGUNS-76-81 2/6/15 4:09 AM Page 81

Recoil is easily manageable,

and the range gun shot right to
where the Crimson Trace red dot
settled on the paper target about 10
yards away. That’s not bad for a pis-
tol I hadn’t fired before.
I know several people who own
earlier versions of the M&P Body-
guard, and they are sold on the de-
sign and the concept. The pistol I
fired was completely reliable, and it
fed every round. With its second
strike capability, the M&P Crimson
Trace Bodyguard weighs 12.3
ounces and measures 5.25 inches
overall.
The stainless steel slide has a
matte black finish and a 2.75-inch
barrel. It’s got an MSRP of $449.00.
GW

S&W supplies a carrying case with pouches for the pistol and spare
magazine with the M&P Bodyguard.

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GW-SMITH-82-89.qxp 2/6/15 4:27 AM Page 82

GUNSMITHING

The Glock, with match

barrel installed, can
increase the confidence
of any shooter.

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GW-SMITH-82-89.qxp 2/6/15 4:27 AM Page 83

Barreling
AHEAD Text & Photos by Steve Sieberts

T
he Glock pistol is arguably one of
the most successful handgun
designs in history. It incorporated
several revolutionary features, including
a polymer frame and components, a
simplified design using fewer internal
working parts and the “Safe Action”
internal safety mechanism. Interestingly,
many of the Glock’s core elements are
now essential to polymer pistols.

The Bar-Sto MT barrel has given excellent use over the last twenty years.

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GW-SMITH-82-89.qxp 2/6/15 4:27 AM Page 84

GUNSMITHING

Apply blue marker

ink to bottom lug,
test fit and check
for high spots.

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT ity, we were very impressed with his

The scribe shows where the
I purchased my first Glock, the operation’s production and quality bottom of the barrel lug sits
Model 17, shortly after I attended control. on the Glock locking block
during lockup. Do not re-
the Glock Armorer’s course in the Shortly after that trip, I invested move material from the
early 1990’s. At the time I was a in a Match Target (MT) barrel for locking block; only remove
material from the bottom
gunsmith with a Department of De- my Glock 17. The accuracy I was get- of the barrel step.
fense (DoD) contractor building ting from the factory barrel was ad-
small arms prototypes and per- equate for a service pistol, but as a
forming R&D work, so, of course, I former Bullseye shooter with the
was not about the leave the pistol Army Shooting Team, I wanted
in its stock configuration. more accuracy than the factory bar-
Before buying the M17, my boss rel could deliver.
and I visited Irv Stone’s facility and Using decent ammunition and
met with Irv Stone III. We were the original equipment barrel, my
building 1911 pistols for the DoD and Glock produced groups averaging
considered switching barrels from a 3-4 inches at 25 yards. I wanted to
competitor’s product to use the cut that group size in half or better,
Bar-Sto barrels exclusively. After and I was sure upgrading to a good
spending a couple days at his facil- target barrel would do the job.

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GW-SMITH-82-89.qxp 2/6/15 4:28 AM Page 85

MATCH GRADE BARRELS part before removing any mate- TOOLS

For the Glock 17, Bar-Sto offers rial. To fit either of these barrels
stainless match grade barrels in One of the first examinations properly, you need good tools to get
two configurations: Semi Fit (SF) to make when fitting the Semi- good results. The tools are pretty
and Match Target (MT). Fitted barrel is to see if the barrel basic and uncomplicated to use.
Semi Fit barrels typically de- will go up into battery in the slide. A quality set of stones is
liver 5-shot groups of about 1.5 There should be a little bit of ma- mandatory, because you’ll be using
inches at 25 yards and 3-inch to terial to take off the front part of both the soft India stones and hard
3.5-inch groups at 50 yards. Match the locking surface if required. Arkansas stones constantly
Target barrels usually are good for Although the MT barrels are throughout the fitting process. Files
5-shot groups of 1 inch or less at 25 intentionally larger than the fin- can be efficient cutting tools in ex-
yards and 2.5- to 3-inch groups at ished part’s design dimensions, perienced hands, but I recommend
50 yards. eliminate any excess steel slowly. using slow-cutting, soft India
This is excellent accuracy from I don’t recommend using files stones for the majority of the fitting.
what is still essentially a service when fitting these barrels. It’s Other tools include a bench
pistol. easy to remove too much metal, block or vise to secure the work, a
and then you have lost the ad- soft-faced hammer to tap the bar-
GENEROUS DIMENSIONS vantage of installing the Target rel, a blue Magic Marker or Sharpie
Both match grade Glock barrels barrel. to mark the high spots that need
are slightly oversized on the bottom The tight fit between the work, powerful lights, and a magni-
locking surface and the length of slide and barrel is a large portion fying glass or jeweler’s loupe.
the top locking area of the hood. of the accuracy equation. Other
The Semi-Fit barrel probably key factors include dimensionally
won’t just drop in place, but it close tolerances of the lands and
might. The MT barrel is oversized to grooves and precision manufac-
enable the builder to shape the bar- turing of the bore.
rel for the best fit. It’s always best
to check the fit of any replacement

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GW-SMITH-82-89.qxp 2/6/15 4:28 AM Page 86

GUNSMITHING

It’s a good idea to measure the

ejection port opening, and then
measure the length of the hood
on the barrel (shown). Subtract
the barrel hood length from the
ejection port to get an idea of
how much material to remove
from the barrel.

FITTING
I like to fit a barrel to the point
that it stays in battery while holding
the slide horizontal when it’s off the
frame. When you hold the slide and
barrel horizontally, the barrel
should only fall out if you apply very
light finger pressure; it should not
fall out of battery from its own
weight. You want the barrel to be
snug at lockup for best accuracy.
After the front locking lug is
dressed down enough to allow the
barrel to go into battery in the slide,
it’s time to check that the barrel is
square in lockup. If it isn’t, the sides
You can fit this barrel with nothing
of the barrel hood are probably rub-
more than a Sharpie and a square India
bing in the slide. stone. Take your time to fit and try.

Look to see which way it’s cant-

86 GUN WORLD | APRIL 2015 www.gunworld.com

GW-SMITH-82-89.qxp 2/6/15 4:28 AM Page 87

ing, and with the lug pointing down and try to install the barrel, then four or five dummy rounds and
and the muzzle facing away from disassemble and look for high cycle them hard through the pistol.
you, remove material from the side spots. This tells you where you This closely simulates the firing
of the hood opposite from the cant. should stone or file to remove cycle and can tell you if the pistol is
If the lug cants to the left, remove metal. going to function properly with live
material from the right side of the Once you have fitted both sur- ammo.
hood and vise-versa. faces, it’s a good idea to touch up
A good technique for checking the edges with the hard Arkansas RANGE WORK
hood clearance is to push the barrel stone to break any sharp edges for To finish the job, take the gun
up into the battery position and a smooth fit. to the range and shoot it a lot.
hold it up to the light to look Now that the barrel is installed, I take various types of ammuni-
through the slide/barrel area and you must function test it with tion — including round-nose bullets
see where it’s rubbing. There should dummy ammunition. I usually load and hollowpoints from different
be daylight on both sides of the
barrel hood.
Once you have the barrel fitted
to the slide, the next step is to fit
the bottom pad where it sits on top
of the locking block. Always fit the
barrel to the slide first, and then fit
the bottom portion of the barrel to
the locking block second. (See
photo)
Check for high spots with the
Magic Marker and only remove ma-
terial where the marker has rubbed
off. Stone a little, apply the marker,

Here I’m tapping the barrel up into

the battery position in the slide to
fit. I’ll stone a little, re-apply my
Sharpie, and then try to tap into
place. Remove the barrel and look
for high spots where the Sharpie has
rubbed off; these are places that
need work.

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GW-SMITH-82-89.qxp 2/6/15 4:29 AM Page 88

GUNSMITHING

The Glock 17 produces excellent 5-shot groups at 25 yards.

manufacturers — to run through the TWENTY YEARS PLUS CONTACT

gun after a modification like this. I fitted a Bar-Sto barrel to my
Taking different rounds can show Glock 17 more than twenty years
Bar-Sto Precision Machine
you which ammunition works best. ago to improve the pistol’s accu- (605) 720-4000
If the gun is for competition or racy. Back then, the modified Glock Barsto.com
defense, use the same kind of am- easily punched groups measuring
munition that you would use in a less than two inches at 25 yards. Remington Arms Company
pistol match or defensive situation. The gun still works well with any (800) 243-9700
For this article I decided to use ammunition, including reloads. Remington.com
the excellent Remington Ultimate After thousands of rounds and two
Defense 124-grain round. Results decades of use, my Bar-Sto/Glock Blue Grass Sportsmen's League
were excellent, as expected, and I 17 currently gives me sub-two-inch (859) 858-4060
was able to hold 5-shot 1.5-inch groups when I do my part. GW BGSLinc.com
groups off a sandbag all day long at
25 yards.

88 GUN WORLD | APRIL 2015 www.gunworld.com

GW_1504_89 2/4/15 8:59 AM Page 89

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90 GUN WORLD | APRIL 2015 www.gunworld.com

GW-SHOTGUNS-90-97 2/6/15 5:00 AM Page 91

Wild West
SHOTGUNS
Text & Photos by Jerry Catania

Living a Little of the Cowpoke’s Life

with Two Reproduction Scatterguns
from Century Arms

T
he Old West is alive and well, and thanks
to forward-thinking firearms importers
we can step back in time with amazing
reproductions of select guns of the era. The spirit
of the cowboy lives on in our hearts, but I wanted
to personally experience the shock and awe of
late 19th century shotguns.
Century Arms International heard my plea
and provided two Old West themed shotguns to
sate my cowboy cravings: the lever-action PW87
and a JW-2000 double-barrel Coach Shotgun.

Showtime with the

PW87, a reproduction
shotgun modeled after
John Moses Browning’s
Winchester Model 1887
lever action.

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GW-SHOTGUNS-90-97 2/6/15 5:00 AM Page 92

The JW-2000 Coach

Shotgun, manufactured
by Century Arms.

characteristics that the PW87 feel. The safety was easy to drop it
ANCESTRY shares. For example, to load the into position, but nearly impossible
The PW87 is based on a John gun, you had to insert shells to pull back to full cock without
Moses Browning design, the Win- through the top of the open action. using both thumbs. Whether this is
chester Model 1887 lever action Loading the PW87 with five rounds a problem with the originals I can-
shotgun. Browning pitched a pump in the magazine tube—like the origi- not say; but it was with the PW87.
action shotgun to Winchester; how- nal—is both tedious and slow. It’s However, I can live with that by not
ever, in the late 1800s, Winchester harder if you have short thick fin- having a live shell in the chamber.
was doing quite well with lever ac- gers like me. The lever action of the PW87
tion firearms, so Browning submit- Another was a limitation on the works both smoothly and quickly,
ted the drawings for what became length of the fired hull, which, in all and I can rack in a live shell in a split
the Model 1887. fairness, Browning could not have second.
The Model 1887 was the first foreseen. The shotgun shells of the
breech-loading, rolling block lever 1870’s were mostly made of brass SHOOT REVIEW
action shotgun, and was cham- (although Winchester developed The mechanical sounds of the
bered for 10- or 12-gauge black the paper hull in 1877), not plastic 1887 design give it an aura all its
powder cartridges. By 1901 smoke- as they are today. own. It’s fascinating to listen as it
less powder was here to stay, and The problem is that the crimp clinks and snaps through the lever
although the 1887 underwent a of the plastic hulls and the length action cycle. The barrel’s modified
handful of design modifications to of the 2.75-inch shells after firing is choke produced patterns that were
accommodate the higher chamber longer than the ejection mecha- very tight using Hornady loads.
pressures generated by smokeless nism can reliably handle. Hornady’s #4 Buckshot load
powder, the fundamental design el- Last, the 1887/PW87 has no (called the Varmint Express) was
ements remained the same. real safety device. The hammer designed for coyote hunting and
must be held with your thumb and produced a perfectly centered and
LOTS OF PERSONALITY eased down immediately after round pattern of about six inches in
Although the Model 1887 was pulling the trigger. The safety notch diameter at 35 feet, making that
pretty much cutting edge at the is less than 1/4-inch from the full load suitable for defending the
time, it did have a few inherent cock position; it is kind of tricky to home against two-legged varmints.

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GW-SHOTGUNS-90-97 2/6/15 5:01 AM Page 93

“ I wanted to
personally experience
the shock and awe
of late 19th

”
century shotguns.

The fast handling stock has no

recoil pad, but the kick was not bad;
a good stock design by John Brown-
ing, no doubt. I did not shoot any
heavy magnum type loads, either.
The PW87 would make a great
quail and rabbit gun.
Fit and finish were good, with
wood-to-metal and metal-to- stagecoach service from Tipton,
metal parts fitting together nicely MO to San Francisco, CA. Interest-
with no gaps. The action was very ingly, the phrase “riding shotgun”
tight at first but loosened up nicely appeared around 1919 in serialized
A left side
as I continued to shoot (and, admit- Western fiction and moving pic- profile of the
tedly, as I enjoyed seemingly end- tures. PW87

less bouts dry firing; the cycling of Several makers of the era were
the action is rather addicting). producing side-by-side shotguns
The PW87 felt light and re- with short double barrels, including der era) made history. Famous
sponsive, and was neat to use. Colt, Parker, Savage, Remington, names such as Wyatt Earp, Doc
Yeah, it’s made in China (just like and others. The guns originally had Holliday, Billy the Kid, and Porter
the computer I am typing this on), external exposed hammers, but Rockwell used variants of the
but it gives more of us a chance to hammerless models worked their Coach Gun with deadly and leg-
own a classic piece of history for a way into the market. endary effect.
very reasonable price. Double barrel shotguns
made the Wild West, well, wild. SOLID PERFORMANCE
COACH GUN? Used by outlaws and lawmen alike, Faithful to the basic original
The term Coach Gun was first the sawed off shotgun with barrels design, the JW-2000 worked per-
used by Wells, Fargo & Co. in 1858 from eight to twenty inches (twenty fectly. The barrels unlocked easily,
when the company began regular inches was short for the black pow- yet were tightly fitted when the ac-

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GW-SHOTGUNS-90-97 2/6/15 5:01 AM Page 94

SPECIFICATIONS

SHOTGUNS
PW87 / JW-2000

Importer: Century Arms

Model: PW87

Action: Rotating bolt,

lever action repeater

Gauge: 12, 2.75-inch chamber

Choke: Modified
Right side JW-
2000 detail view with
Magazine: Tube external hammer
down. Note double
Capacity: 5 rounds triggers, lock lever,
and tang safety.

Barrel Length: 19 inches

Weight: 7.9 pounds

MSRP: $334 tion was closed. The twin rabbit ear inch thick and felt as if it was made
external hammers were hard to of stone. With my short arms, I
Importer: Century Arms cock at first, but after leaving them could not shoot the JW-2000 as
at full cock (and unloaded) in my well as I wanted. The length-of-pull
Model: JW-2000
gun safe for a few days, they soft- caused by the big recoil pad tor-
Action: Break action double barrel ened up. tured me with an unnatural shoot-
with external hammers The JW-2000 digested a vari- ing position and then completed
ety of ammunition without com- the punishment when I fired. I had
Gauge: 12, 20 plaint. Like the original Old West to fix it.
coach shotguns, when you break
Choke: Open
the action open the JW-2000 ejec- PAD ME
Barrel Length: 20 inches tor pushes the shells out slightly, al- An email to KICK-EEZ soon had
lowing you to remove the spent a replacement pad on the way. I
Weight: 8.1 pounds shells by hand. chose a very thin pad (5/8-inch)
The only complaint I had was that I fitted up to the stock using
MSRP: $279
the oversized recoil pad. It was an only a cordless drill with a sanding

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GW-SHOTGUNS-90-97 2/6/15 5:01 AM Page 95

“ The mechanical
sounds of the 1887
design give it an aura

”
all its own.
Find us on

disc. It took all of about fifteen min-

utes. Not only did the shorter length
of pull make a night-and-day differ-
ence in handling for me, but the
KICK-EEZ pad (despite its thin-
ness) really absorbed the recoil.
Now I am able to shoot three-inch
magnum loads in relative comfort. Discover the
world of firearms at
GOOD STUFF
Both of the JW-2000’s barrels
your fingertips.
have open chokes, yet thanks to ad-
vanced ammunition technology,
patterns were relatively tight and
held together nicely. Best of all, the www.facebook.com/gunworldmagazine
barrels are fit to the gun well, with

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GW-SHOTGUNS-90-97 2/6/15 5:02 AM Page 96

A detail view of the

PW-2000’s extractor.

both of them hitting close to the

area of aim.
The Coach Shotgun might
seem a bit heavy at around eight
pounds, but the weight was evenly
balanced and absorbed a lot of re-
coil.
For hunting, plan on carrying
the gun with the hammers at full-
cock and the thumb safety en-
gaged. This is as safe as carrying a
hammerless double with the safety
on. The advantage is that you can
tell at a glance (or a touch) if the
JW-2000 is cocked and ready to
shoot.
Overall, I think Century Interna-
tional Arms has a couple of winners
here. Both the PW87 and JW-2000
shoot straight and sit tall in the
saddle for the cowboy inside. GW

Hornady shells cured the

PW87’s ills and performed
well in both shotguns.

96 GUN WORLD | APRIL 2015 www.gunworld.com

GW-SHOTGUNS-90-97 2/6/15 5:02 AM Page 97

CONTACT
Century Arms
CenturyArms.com

Hornady Manufacturing
Company
(800) 338-3220
Hornady.com

KICK-EEZ Products
(877) 542-5339

Advertiser Index

Colt's Manufacturing Company 2 Major Surplus & Survival 23

CROSSBREED HOLSTERS 53 Rio Grande Custom Grips 57

CZ-USA 59 Rock River Arms 75

Davidson's 39 Smith & Wesson 63

Del-Ton 7 SSK Industries 85

Dillon Precision 11 Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. 3, 100

GTUL 49 Tormach LLC 27

Harbor Freight 89 ULTIMAK 47

Hodgdon Powder Co. 99 Umarex USA, Inc. 69

Jantz Supply 42-43 Walther Arms 33

Les Baer Custom,Inc. 19 WILSON COMBAT 81

The advertiser index is provided as a service to

Gun World readers. Gun World is not responsible
for omissions or typographical errors on names or page numbers.

www.gunworld.com APRIL 2015 | GUN WORLD 97

GW-BACK-98-99 2/6/15 5:05 AM Page 98

BACK PAGES
less apt to dispute the claim. De-
scribing the side-by-side’s perform-
ance during a difficult shot
sequence, he said, “As I thought
about it later, it came to me how
quickly I had managed to get the
gun into action…The combination of
the short lightweight and the big
Simmons rib had a great deal more
to do with the hit than conditioned
reflexes alone.”
“I have never been able to
shoot (a side-by-side) as well as a
single barrel gun,” he continued,
“but there was something about
the comfortable feel of the Quails
Fargo that gave me the impression
of being unable to miss.”
“With the famous Simmons
Deluxe ventilated rib and the Glow
Worm sight, the gun comes up to a
point as sweet as any scattergun
I’ve ever handled. With the short,
If it wasn’t for the large Gun World logo, our colorful April 1965 cover
twenty-four inch barrels, the stock
might be easily confused with a copy of Bird Dog magazine.

The Quails
appears quite long, but in truth, it is
a pretty standard fourteen inches,
including the installed recoil pad (a
Pachmayr White Line model).”

FARGO
The gun came with a single
trigger, and the barrels were choke
modified and improved cylinder,
By Craig Hodgkins which is, according to Dougherty,“a
fine upland combination.” GW
Bird hunters would have found game birds in the process. As the
plenty to their liking in our April man in charge, Dougherty packed
1965 issue. Our colorful cover set the test gun.
the tone, and multiple features fol- To quote the piece, “the Sim-
lowed the theme, from a tongue-in- mons Gun Specialties catalog lists
cheek take on a two-continent this recently introduced Quails
“chukar war” to a thoughtful piece Fargo model, a compact little side-
about the growth and development by-side measuring only forty-one
of “preserve shooting.” inches overall. It is acclaimed by
Not to be outdone, a firearms Simmons as being the ‘world’s
field test team led by editor Jim fastest scattergun,’ an interesting
Dougherty took a twin-barrel 20- contention that is bound to create
gauge Quails Fargo shotgun by controversy.”
Simmons through its paces on a But by the end of the hunt, the
The Quails Fargo manufactured by Sim-
hunt, taking a variety of upland well-respected Dougherty seemed mons, as pictured in the company’s catalog.

98 GUN WORLD | APRIL 2015 www.gunworld.com

GW_1504_C3 2/2/15 6:44 AM Page C3

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Because the simplest way to wipe out fouling is to
not let it build up in the first place.
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GW_1504_C4 2/2/15 6:45 AM Page C4

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