gun reviews

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Ammunition Restriction Bill

Link:

Bill to Restrict Ammunition Moves Ahead

Friday, June 26, 2009

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

Monday, June 22, 2009

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.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

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

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

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.

Friday, April 24, 2009

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

Friday, April 3, 2009

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...............