DDI AK-Style Shotgun

Walther PPQ-45

Hands-on review of the Walther PPQ-45:

Currently on my wish-list...

Glock 43 Review

Ruger Precision Rifle

Accurate, dependable, affordable.....

Ruger's Newest Bolt-Action Repeater

MSRP: $1,399

Featuring the combination of bolt-action accuracy and the customizable AR-15 platform, with the versatility of accepting multiple magazine-types, we have an affordable tack-driving winner of a rifle.

Medium Contour Barrel (.75 at the muzzle)

Enter the world of long range shooting. Upper receiver and one-piece bolt body are CNC machined from pre-hardened chrome/molybdenum alloy steel. The lower receiver is machined in two pieces, right and left, from 7075-T6 hard-coat anodized aluminum. Available calibers are .308 with a 20 inch barrel, 6.5 mm Creedmor with a 24 inch barrel and .243 Winchester with a 26 inch barrel.

Not the lightest rifle, at 9.7 lbs without a scope, expect this beauty to tip the scales at around 15 lbs with the addition of a scope, bipod and stock-mounted monopod. In the accuracy department the Ruger easily exceeds 5-shot groups of under 1 inch at 100 yards. According to Ruger, 5-shot groups averaged .83" after testing multiple rifles.

This excellent accuracy is achieved through the design implementation of a linear recoil path, directing recoil forces straight back into the buttstock of the rifle upon firing.

Replaceable Barrel

Barrel specs: 4140 chrome/moly steel with 5R rifling, which translated means that there is a land placed opposite each of the barrel's grooves, which results in less bullet distortion as it engages the grooves, aiding accuracy. Rounder-edged lands result in less powder fouling and bullet jacket failure. Barrels are free floated in the fore-end. Barrel twist rates are tailored to longer bullets of the type used for long-range shooting.

Barrels are threaded at the muzzle with thread protector. A Picatinny rail is affixed to the top of the receiver. Marksman trigger with lever-in-blade design, adjustable between 2lbs., 4 ounces to 5 lbs.

American action with 70 degree bolt-throw and three lug bolt design.

"Multiple Magazine Interface" feature means high compatibility with a variety of magazines, such as DPMS, M110, SR25, PMAG and AICS. 

The buttstock is easily adjustable in the field for up to 3-1/2 inches adjustment to the length of pull and 3/4" of comb height. Not quite as easily adjusted, the cant of the buttpad can be be adjusted up to 9 degrees in either direction. The buttstock has a left-folding hinge and can be locked in the folding position.

Highly customizable with AR-style components. Affordable, relative to the field, combining the best of AR rifles and bolt-action accuracy, this one looks like a winner.

Recent gun review articles: G&A Single Stack 9mm  Comparison Test

Sig Sauer P320 .45 ACP

HK VP9

Introducing the Heckler & Koch VP9 striker-fired 9mm semi-auto handgun, building on the highly successful single action/double action hammer-fired P30, summarized here back in 2010, but the VP9 "breaks new ground with its integration of a unique striker firing system with an enhanced HK “light pull” trigger. The net result is trigger quality unequaled in any production striker fired handgun." http://hk-usa.com/hk-models/vp9/

Featuring multiple interchangeable backstraps and side plate choices for the handgun grips, the ergonomics of this 9mm should be superior to your basic Glock or Ruger offering.

HK VP9 $630.00

Specs:

• Locked Breech DAO Semi-Auto
• 7.25" Length
• 5.5" Height
• 1.14 Max. Width
• 26.5 oz. unloaded
• 32.6 oz. loaded
• 4.1" barrel length
• Barrel Material: Steel
• Magazine: 15 rd. detachable
• Slide Material: Steel
• Frame Material: Polymer
• Grips: Textured Polymer
• Sights: Steel 3-dot
• Trigger Pull Wt: 6 lbs
• Trigger Span: 2.63"
• Safety: No manual safety

Notables:

• "Even more accurate than the HK P30"
• "The VP9 is a good personal-defense choice and deserves a solid A rating."
• Allows excellent hand fitting.
• Takes HK P30 Magazines.
• Striker-fired action breaks smoothly.
• Forward and rear cocking serrations allow for solid grip on the slide.
• Due to removable blocks at the rear of the slide, slide can be racked with one hand.
• Red cocking indicator.
• Good combat sights; excellent contrast.
• Comes with two magazines.
• Paddle-type magazine release is easy to get used to.
• Low bore axis results in little muzzle flip.

Overheard on other forums and review sights: "The PPQ has a better trigger","built to last","trigger has minimal reset", "extractor is a solid block of steel", "Glock 17 bore axis is lower", "magazine release may be a problem for those with smaller hands", "magazine changes are fast", "Very reliable"

S&W Model 627 High Capacity .357 Magnum

This is the Performance Center version of the S&W 8-shot, short-barreled .357 magnum, featuring a ball-detent cylinder lockup, for better accuracy and reliability, chamfered cartridge chambers, for aid in speed-loading, and excellent sights.

S&W Model 627 170133, $1,079

Normally, I like a longer barrel on my .357 magnum, at least a 4 incher, which adds 200-300 fps, compared to the snubnose .357, but that's just me, because these shorty .357's are very popular, especially in the N frame S&W.

Specs:

• Double Action/Single Action
• 7.6" length
• 5.5" height
• 1.7" max. width
• 37.6 oz. empty weight
• 40.8 oz. loaded weight
• 2.6" barrel
• 8 round capacity
• N-frame stainless
• Stainless cylinder, non-fluted
• Grips: checkered walnut
• 5.3" grip circumference
• Serrated ramp front sight
• Adjustable white outline rear sight
• 4.1 lb trigger pull weight-single action
• 11.5 lb trigger pull double action
• Trigger span single action, 2.8"
• Trigger span double action, 3.3"

Notables:

•  Performance Center quality-tight fit, clean metalwork, smooth woodwork
• Slab-sided barrel, for weight reduction
• Crowned muzzle
• Ejector shroud cutout drops some weight
• Unfluted cylinder adds extra weight
• Easily swappable dovetailed front sight.
• Fully adjustable rear sight
• Small grips make for concealability
• "Even shooters with small hands could easily fire the 627..."
• Full-length guide rod ejects all 8 rounds
• Extra weight makes for pleasant shooting
• "A bit heavy for concealed carry, comparable in weight to a loaded 1911..."
• Proper holster and belt required for secure carry options