Schwarzenegger Signs Ammo-Regulation Bill

Article Link: Schwarzenhoggen Turns on Gun-Owners

M4 Rifle Problems

Afghan Battle Exposes M4 Rifle Flaws

Ammunition Restriction Bill

Link:

Bill to Restrict Ammunition Moves Ahead

Gunletter closed until further notice............

Dear Readers,

I regret to inform you that I will review no more guns until ammunition becomes more available.

I see no reason to waste time on writing gun reviews if we can't shoot the damned things.

Thanks for your indulgence. Good luck in finding another hobby.

Sincerely,

Me

Ammo Shortage!

Howdy Gunrunners!

Hey, what's with the ammo shortage and triple-priced existing ammunition supplies? I know it's "Fear of Obama" and his policies taking effect, but so far he hasn't touched our guns. Now I can't find ammo, and guns are overpriced like never before. So Obama and the Libs win anyway. Nice.

Here are my review picks of the month:

"Budget" .45 Autos, which, these days, means under the $1,000 mark. It's amazing what people can be made to swallow-Three guns were reviewed extensively, and here are the results.

Para-USA GI Expert
Classic 1911 Single Action $600.00

• Sights-Highly Visible
• 2 Eight-Shot Magazines-Competition Quality
• Stainless Barrel
  
• Substantial-but not oversized extractor
• Standard Guide-Rod
  
• Left-side thumb safety only
• Focused on reliability with all types of ammo
• Good slide to frame fit
• Trigger 4.5 to 5 lbs
• Groups 25 yds. 1.0 to 1.9 inches
• Highest muzzle energy of three guns tested
• Fastest first action shot of three guns tested
• Best buy pick of this trio

CZ 97BD No. 01406
Decocker version of model 97B .45 Auto $874.00

• Based on classic CZ75 design
• DA/SA action
  
• Can be safely de-cocked with a round in the chamber
• Left side decocker lever only
• Self-illuminating night sites
• Loaded chamber indicator
• Well-designed rubber grips
• Two ten round magazines
• "Very controllable"
• Main two stress points - easily replaceable parts
• 13.5 lb double action trigger, 5.5 lb single action
• Good accuracy, .8 to 1.25 inches
• "One of the best TDA guns ever"

Beretta PX4 Storm F JXF5F25 45 ACP

Polymer-framed pistol w/hammer ignition

• Three interchangeable grip sizes
• Accessory Rail
• Ambi-Decocker/Safety lever
• Super-modern look and styling
• Rotating barrel lug for smoother action
• Ambidextrous magazine release
• White dot sites
• One 9 round, one 10 round magazine
• Fairly difficult to change grip sizes
• Long trigger pull for double action first shot
  
• Easy to field strip
  
• Good accuracy, 1.3" to 1.7"
• Slowest into action, of these three pistols
  

The decocker must be pressed down, then up again every time the slide is racked after inserting a full magazine. This could be tiring to some shooters. Also the decockers "stuck out too much", making racking the slide an awkward process.

Lightweight Wonder-9

Introducing the SP-01 Phantom: The classic CZ-75 9mm goes polymer, resulting in 33% lighter weight, 19 round capacity (18+1 in the pipe).....
Specs:

• Caliber 9 x 19
  Detachable magazine capacity 18
  Overall length 207 mm/
  Barrel length 120 mm/just under 4.75 inches
  Height 147 mm
  Width 37 mm
  Weight 800 g/28 ounces empty
  Trigger mechanism SA/DA
  Frame polymer
  Finish black polycoat (slide)
  Safety elements decocking lever, safety stop on hammer, firing pin safety

Reviews/Highlights:

• Well-balanced
• Soft Recoil
  
• Controllable/Very little muzzle-flip
• Interchangeable Backstrap for custom grip adjustment
• Accurate 2.5" to 3.5" Groups at 25 Yards
• Drop-Free Magazines
• Grip Tang Beavertail Protects Hand from Hammer Bite
• Fixed Sites
• Accessory Rail for Tactical Attachments
• Carry Cocked and Locked, or with Hammer Down
• Magazine Works in Older CZ Models
• Slide Locks Open When Empty

Introducing the .327 Magnum!

They finally got the .32 caliber revolver round right, with this awesome and powerful, compact defensive round. Revolvers chambered for this round flirt with .357 magnum energy levels, while allowing for more control, and an extra round in the cylinder-6 as opposed to the usual 5 rounds in most compact .38 and .357 mag revolvers.

Guns chambered for the .327 magnum can also shoot the .32 H&R Magnum, .32 S&W Long, and .32 S&W ammo.

While I expect many lightweight revolvers to be chambered for it shortly, the first gun to be chambered for the .327 is the rugged and dependable Ruger SP101.

Here is a brief comparison of the numbers between the .327 and .357 magnum rounds, both shot from the Ruger SP101 with a 3 1/16" barrel:



.327 Federal Magnum

Speer Gold Dot 115 Grain JHP

Velocity 1308 fps

Energy 431 ft.-lbs.

Group Size - Avg. at 7 yds. 1.86

Recoil Energy 6.6 ft.-lbs.

Penetration (Perma Gel) 16"



American Eagle 100 Grain JSP

Velocity 15 feet 1346 fps

Energy 402 ft.-lbs.

Group Size - Avg. at 7 yds. 1.34

Recoil Energy 5.9 ft.-lbs.

Penetration (Perma Gel) 18.5"


.357 Magnum

Federal Hi-Shok 125 Grain JHP

Velocity 15 feet 1221 fps

Energy 414 ft.-lbs.

Group Size - Avg. at 7 yds. not given

Recoil Energy 8.6 ft.-lbs.

Penetration (Perma Gel) not given

I can hardly wait to see the types of compact dynamite revolvers that are produced to fire this round in the coming years.

Home Defense Shotguns

The Mossberg Model 590, 12 gauge, American Forces Shotgun of Choice in Iraq, $693:


Features:

• The only pump shotgun to pass all the U.S. Military Mil-Spec standards
• 6, 8 and 9 shot capacity with 2-3/4" shells
• 18-1/2" or 20" barrel lengths
• Blued, matte or Marinecote™ finishes
• Bead front or Ghost Ring® sights
• Rugged synthetic stock and forearm
• Ambidextrous, thumb-operated safety
• Proven Mil-Spec & NIJ performance
• Pistol grip models available
• 20-gauge and .410-bore models also available

Review Highlights:

• Breaks down and reassembles easily for cleaning
• Rugged and Dependable in the Field
• Safety accessible by both right and left-handed shooters while avoiding contact with trigger guard
• Deadly slug accuracy
• 7.75 lbs
  
• Well balanced in the hands
• Shoots 3" shells or shorter
• Perforated Heat Shield
• Trigger breaks cleanly at approximately 6 lbs.

Remington 870 Tac-2 FS, 12 gauge, Pump-gun choice of many top law enforcement agencies, $692:



Features:

• 12-gauge, 2-3/4" and 3" chambered and are available in 18" and 20" barrels with 2- and 3-shot magazine tube extensions
• Bead Sites
• Blasted black oxide finish with black, synthetic tactical style fore-ends
• All stocks include sling swivel studs
• Knoxx SpecOps pistol-grip folding stock
  

Review Highlights:

• 8.1 lbs
• 6 shot capacity
• Trigger breaks at 5.25 lbs
• Drilled and tapped for a Weaver scope
• Ergonomically poor as far as stock design, affecting site picture and access to safety button
• The action exhibited significant "stickiness", which did not change with use
• Harsh recoil/unpleasant to shoot
• "Overweight, hard-kicking, poor-handling"

Ithaca Model 37 Defense Gun 8 Shot 3-Inch 12 gauge, $469 (MY PICK)



Features:

• A receiver that is machined from a solid block of steel
• 18 ½” Fixed barrel with standard cylinder bore
• Brass bead front sight
• Walnut or synthetic butt stock
• Walnut or synthetic ring tail forend
• Crisp, rifle-like 4 – 6 lb. trigger pull
• Parkerized finish
• Shoot 2 3/4" or 3" Shells
• Pachmayr Decelerator Recoil Pad
• Light! 6.75 lbs

Review Highlights:

• Originally used by U.S. troops in Vietnam, and later by the Navy SEALs
  
• Solid frame with barrel permanently threaded into the steel receiver
• Bottom loading/bottom eject action for ambidextrous use
• Dependable shooter with forceful ejection
  
• Reversible trigger guard safety
• Ergonomically well designed
  
• Barrel made of 4140 chrome-moly steel
• Recoil not unpleasant due to Decelerator Recoil Pad
• Smoothest and slickest action of this group
• "Best trigger"
  
• "Easy to load and shoot quickly"
• Impressive 8-shot firepower
  
• The "best built, smoothest, best balanced shotgun of this test"
• Lowest priced
  

Best in Class 2008

Top gun picks of 2008, according to a reputable gun consumer magazine:
(Prices reflect 2008, probably much higher now because of the anti-gun stance of the current administration)

Rifles:

Military Type Sporting...............

Fulton Armory FAR-15 Predator Varmint

Precision 003020 223 Remington, $1995

Youth Sporting.................

New England Firearms

Sportster SS1-217

17 Mach 2, $169

Marlin Model 60 22 LR, $179

North American Big Game....................

Weatherby Stainless

Vanguard 270 Win., $673

BerettaTikka T3 Lite.300 WSM, $595

PISTOLS

Compact Defensive..........

Bersa

FireStorm 380 ACP, $307

.22 Target..............

Ruger MKIII6 Standard, $342

Full-Sized Compact Defensive......................

Stoeger Cougar 8000 $469

Shotguns:

Defensive.............................

Remington 11-87 Police

12-gauge 3-inch No. 9861, $850

Sporting..........................

Winchester Model 101

12 Gauge, $900

Browning BPS No. 012211813

3-inch 20 Gauge $566

Revolvers:

Ruger SP101 KSP-3231X 32 H&R Magnum, $572

(actually, by now you should just get the .327 magnum version)

Taurus RagingBull

.44 Magnum 444B8, $625

S&W 625-3 45ACP, $900

Welcome to the Gun Letter!

Stoeger 8000











Barrett's Model 98 Bravo










Da' Judge .45 Colt







FNP .45 ACP










CZ 97B .45 ACP


Kimber Talkeetna .375









Greetings firearms enthusiasts!

I decided to start this gunletter because of my lifelong interest in guns since the age of 12, after seeing the movie Dirty Harry, starring Clint Eastwood, along with his S&W Model 29 .44 Magnum.

Being an insatiable reader of the latest gun magazines and reviews, I saw no need for all that information to be wasted. The age of the internet now allows me to share this vast treasure trove of gun information with the world.

This information on this site will be by no means exhaustive, and will consist primarily of brief summaries of gun articles from the major publications, along with a link to the original source, so that you may follow up with more in-depth study if so desired.

This week's rundown:

Currently on my wish-list:

Stoeger Cougar 8000-While I don't carry a gun, except for maybe going into the worst areas of the city at night, which is not a regular occurrence-trust me-I do like to keep a gun in the car-don't ask me why, maybe from watching "Road Warrior" too many times. With all the insane people out there, it's just good to know that I have something in the car I can use for a worst-case scenario. Anyways, this is my pick for car-carry.

• .40 or 9mm Caliber
• DA/SA Trigger "Breaks at 6 lbs" (SA)
  
• Capacity 15+1 (9mm), 11+1 (.40)
• Aluminum Frame
• Ambidextrous Safety/Decocker
• "Excellent Sites", three white dots, adjustable for windage
• Drop-Free magazines (2)
• Able to Fire w/o magazine
• Rotating, Locking Barrel enhances accuracy
• Simple, Quick Field Stripping
• "Excellent Build Quality and Design"
• S.R.P. $390 to $449
  

Other Reviews:

Kimber Talkeetna - .375 H&H Mag. 7 lbs., 9 oz. un-scoped, super-accurate lightweight big game rifle is ideal for all-day carry on the African continent, or ideal for Alaskan Bear country.

• Bolt Action
• Stainless
• Four Round Capacity Magazine
• 3 lb., 1 oz. Trigger Pull
• Stiff, but Bearable Recoil
  
• Synthetic Kevlar and Fiberglass Stock
• S.R.P. $2,108

Taurus Judge - The Word: Short barreled, five shot snake and self-defense revolver. Shoots .410 shotgun shells and .45 Long Colt cartridges. Best for Snakes: #7-1/2 shot, Self Defense: #4 shot at extremely close range, or .45 LC for anything past 12 feet. .410 slugs are kind of a waste of money, with the availablity of the .45 Colt cartridge for this weapon.

• Good Build Quality
• Eight Different Versions
• Blued or Stainless
• Five Rounds
• Regular or Lightweight
• 2-1/2" or 3" .410 Cylinder Choice
• Also Takes .45 Schofield Ammo (.45 S&W)
• S.R.P. $553

CZ 97B .45 Auto Pistol - The Word: Double Column .45 ACP ("double column" equals higher magazine capacity than single column magfazine pistols). All steel, double action/single action, no decocker, so decocking requires a bit of skill and confidence.

• 10 Round Magazines did not drop freely
• Awkward, left-side thumb safety
• Shot under 2" groups at 25 yards
• S.R.P. $779

FNH FNP45 .45 Auto Pistol - 15 Round, full size .45 automatic pistol. Actually comes with two 14 round magazines, and one 15 rounder with a rounded base-pad bottom. Military green polymer frame results in a weight of 29 oz. unloaded. Ambidextrous magazine release, and safeties (which double as decocking levers).

• Accessory Rail Included
• Interchangeable Backstrap for Custom Grip Size (1)
• 1.56" Max. Width
• Snag-Free Sites, Three White Dots
• Relatively Easy to Field-Strip
• Little Chance of Accidentally Decocking This Pistol Due to Grip Config.
• Slide Moves Freely with Safety On
• First Shot from Double Action Fairly Awkward Due to Length of Pull
• Cocked and Locked Carry Mode Recommended for Speed into Action
  
• Low Recoil Compared to Other .45,s
• 2.2" Groups at 25 Yards

*****FANTASY GUN PICK OF 2009*******
Here is my pick for 2009, although it's not quite April yet. If I find something better by the end of the year, I will certainly let you know.

Barrett's Model 98 Bravo-Bolt-action .338 Lapua Magnum:
An awesome weapon, capable of sub-M.O.A.,s of under 1.5" at 1,000 yards on a windy, cold day-according to one of the first reviews I read-slated for availability to law-abiding citizens and law enforcement alike, but primarily the military, for April of '09. If I ever win big bucks, or suddenly become a big earner, this will be in my safe faster than you can say "overkill". Here are the details:

About the .338 Lapua Magnum: Possessing flat trajectory, excellent accuracy at long range, and high energy, this caliber is under serious consideration by the Marine Corps to replace the .50 as their long-range caliber of choice. According to an in-depth review from a 2007 article of some early rifles by Accuracy International and Sako, the .338 Lapua at 1,200 yards is still more powerful than the .44 magnum at the muzzle. In the early 80s the U.S. Navy sought a new cartridge for long-range competition. Research Armament Industries developed a .338 caliber wildcat using a rimless .416 Rigby case. After being passed over by the U.S. armed forces for the .50, Lapua eventually strengthened the case design and created the .338 Lapua Magnum cartridge.

Back to the model 98: Light enough to be carried and fired offhand, built to withstand adverse conditions, the model 98 can also be fitted with a variety of optical scopes and night-vision devices, making this weapon a serious frontrunner for the rifle of choice of the military.

Specs:

• .338 Lapua Magnum
• Bolt Action
  
• Rotating Thumb Safety
• Pistol Grip
• Modular Design
• Aluminum Upper and Lower Receivers
• Integral 18.1" Picatinny Top Rail
• Sling Swivel and Bipod Attachments
• 27" Barrel, 4150 Steel, Fluted
• Rifling: six-groove, 1:10" right hand twist
• 10 rd. Polymer Magazine (2)
  
• Trigger=2 lb, 4 oz. pull, single stage, adjustable
  
• Stock: Length of Pull, 13-1/2"
• Length Overall: 49-3/4"
• Weight: 12 lbs, 12 oz.
• S.R.P. $4,495
• Average accuracy at 100 yards: .88"
  

More Soon!