Tuesday, July 21, 2015

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


Sunday, May 10, 2015

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"


Friday, May 8, 2015

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

Colt Commander 04012XSE

Colt Commander XSE $1,104



Forged as opposed to cast parts, that's what separates this fine carry piece from the cheaper 1911's flooding the market. Features a forged receiver, slide, barrel and slide-stop, all in maintenance-free stainless. Comes standard with front and rear slide serrations, Novak sights and full-length guide rod.

Specs:
  • .45 ACP
  • 4.25" Barrel
  • Capacity 8+1
  • Rosewood Grips
  • 3-dot sights
  • Aluminum 3-hole trigger
  • Lightweight Skeletonized Hammer
  • 6 lb trigger pull
  • 36 oz.
  • 7.75" length
  • 5.4" height
  • Ambi-safety
Notables:
  • Colt's Top-End Commander
  • "Super Accurate"
  • Enhanced cut-out under the trigger guard, for lower bore axis

Monday, April 13, 2015

NRA Convention 2015

First, I'd like to apologize for my two year "hiatus" from my gun blog. Talk about distractions! I just can't help myself. Eventually, I always get back into researching the latest advances in portable weaponry and writing about it here.

Checked out this year's NRA Convention in Nashville's massive Music City Center in my own back yard and it did not disappoint. For a list of exhibitors and descriptions, download the NRA Annual Meeting mobile app on your Apple or Android device. Here are some shots and thoughts from the weekend....

Colt

Israel Military Industries

Snow Camo

Kurt himself, with wish list item.....

Browning shotgun

Some Browning offerings...



Barrett sniper

Magnum Lite rimfire rifles

HK UMP45


E.R. Shaw, Inc. custom barrels

Interarms AK with custom Herrett stocks

Mr. Herrett himself, custom stock maker, with Yours Truly

High Standard-Interarms underfolder AK-47

Now that's a safe!

NRA Harley giveaway


My favorite 1911 at the show...

Sig MPX

Sig 556 - takes AK Mags

IMI Jericho


Packed!

Gatling Gun 1873

Ted Cruz made an appearance

Colt Ford and Hank Williams Jr.

Colt Ford

Bocephus 

R. Lee Ermey

Live at The Stage




High Standard looked to be doing some exciting things, reviving their renowned .22 target pistol selection from the 60's and 70's, as well as showcasing the offerings from their partners, Herrett Custom Stocks , Interarms and AMT of Automag fame, bringing back AMT's legendary stainless .22 magnum auto pistol, as well as introducing some impressive looking AK-47 and AR-15 type rifle models, courtesy of Interarms. It was unclear to me, whether AMT has improved on the frame alloy of the original .22 Mag pistol, which had galling problems with their original offering.

Other notable products that made an impression in my few hours touring the massive Music City Center included the following:

My Case Builder at www.mycasebuilder.com. This company offers custom foam gun cases designed to perfectly fit your weapon.

Secret Compartment Furniture. Featuring Amish-made custom wood furniture with secret compartments to hide guns and other valuables for quick access. www.secretcompartmentfurniture.com.

For those of you that prefer air guns, or have no legal access to gunpowder-powered weapons, Pyramid Air had some quality rifles and pistols on display. Check out their catalog at www.pyramidair.com.

Meggar Gun Magazines had a few salesmen and an entire booth-display of their awesome magazines present, and did claim that they could get me magazines for out of production pistols, including a magazine for my old MKII Ruger .22 if I went online and ordered. Check out their offerings at  www.mec-gar.com.

Rock Island Armory was there, with their famously affordable quality classic reproduction firearms selection, including the 1911 in several iterations, as well as their .22 magnum XT 1911,the M200 .38 special revolver, their MAPP 9mm automatic pistol and their usual impressive rifle, shotgun and ammo products (see Armscor). www.rockislandarmory.com