On this episode of the Brunch, New York Times Best Selling author Larry Correia joins the guys to talk about his upcoming book and whatever else strikes his fancy! Yes, the graphic says 83, Caleb is tired.
Anderson’s Kiger 9C Gets Pretty
Anderson, a company mostly known for ARs, has gotten into the polymer pistol game. The Kiger 9C series takes the Glock approach to combat pistols and basically cloned the Gen 3 Glock series with a few noticeable changes. The first is some modifications to the frame, which include the removal of the famed finger grooves. Anderson went with a standard Picatinny rail and a very aggressive grip texture. The grip frame seems to be a hair longer to better fit larger hands. It’s just a hair longer and stops my pinky from pinning in the magazine.
The Kiger 9C Gets A Facelift
The Kiger 9C has been out for a bit, but SHOT Show gave Anderson a chance to display several new models of the gun as well as some fancy cerakoted designs. The gun looks like it uses a P80 frame. Anderson has optic-ready models, lightened slides, and a few fancy finishes. I asked if the finishes would be available, and the folks at Anderson advised yes.
In fact, they were looking to make special editions a regular thing. They would produce maybe one a month or so with a specialized finish. Models shown at SHOT include the Miami Vice model that has got my eye, as well as a specialized camouflage. There was also a Nintendo Zapper design, but I was assured this wouldn’t be produced for the general market. I’m sure that was a relief to Nintendo’s and Anderson’s lawyers.
The same folks also advised that shooters may begin seeing special edition receiver sets for their rifles. Either way, who hates a little color? In a world where everything is black and boring, it helps to be different. A lot of companies are making very similar weapons, and Glock clones are quickly becoming kind of like 1911 clones. They are everywhere, and if you want to stand out, you have to do something different. Hats off to Anderson for being a little different.
The Glock 20 and 21 Enter The Gen 5 World
Glock moves really slowly to do new stuff. How long ago was the Glock 46 announced for a particular German contract? Heck, only this year did Glock release the Glock 47, which has served Customs and Border Patrol since 2019. Alongside that slow movement was the bringing of new guns to the Gen 5 world. In fact, Glock seems to be trimming the fat in terms of the models produced, and it’s unlikely we’ll see a 5th Gen 45 GAP Glock. What we did see at SHOT Show is the 5th Generation of the .45 ACP and 10mm Glock 21 and Glock 20.
Welcome the Glock 20 and 21 to the Next Generation
I like to imagine Glock is like a street gang that you get jumped into. I wouldn’t want to be part of the crew that jumped the big, hefty Glock 20 and Glock 21 in. These large-frame Glocks are the big boys of the Glock lineup. They’ve been fairly famous throughout their tenure. Glock as a company never gave up on the 10mm, and the Glock 21 is one of the more efficient doublestack Glocks with a capacity of 13 rounds in a flush-fitting mag.
The Gen 5 models bring all the Gen 5 features that shooters seem to love. They abandoned the finger grooves and used a better trigger, ambidextrous slide lock, the Glock Marksman barrel, and more. These guns will also be in the MOS configuration, which makes mounting optics easy. Although, make sure you use Loc Tite or even maybe an aftermarket plate. Especially with the Glock 20. I imagine the extra recoil might be hell on the MOS plates.
As usual, these guns are simple, easy to use, and the bigger bores pack a punch. While the ole 45 AC is fine, the 10mm packs a real punch and can be a very versatile round for multiple purposes. I’m excited to see the Gen 5 Glock 20. How about a quasi-single to double stack 10mm that holds ten rounds and is Glock 19-sized? A Man can dream.
SIG Traditional Reverse Two Tone 1911
SIG Sauer firearms need little introduction. Quality and reliability are hallmarks of these pistols. Lets look at one of my favorites. The original SIG 1911 featured a slide similar in profile to the P series. While resemblance to the P220/P226 is fine other shooters wanted a traditional 1911 from SIG. The Traditional pistol is the result.
The Traditional Reverse Two Tone is a full size Government Model 1911. It is a general purpose .45 ACP pistol for target shooting, concealed carry, home defense, and some types of competetion. This pistol features a round top slide of the traditional outline. The slide features forward cocking serrations. The SIG Reverse Two Tone features a skeletonized hammer, upswept custom grade grip safety, target style trigger, extended slide lock safety, flat mainspring housing, and a well fitted barrel with a snug but finger tight barrel bushing. The pistol is the traditional Government Model height at 5.5 inches tall with an overall length of 8.7 inches. Weight is just under forty ounces. The barrel is a five inch type. The slide is stainless steel but coated in black nitron. This is as corrosion resistant as possible. The frame is forged stainless steel. The grips are nicely checkered distinctive blackwood. The front strap features 25 line per inch checkering. This is a requirement for a true hard service 1911 making for practically a non slip gripping surface. The pistol is supplied with two eight round SIG magazines. These magazines have proven reliable in service. The pistol features a beveled magazine well that makes for rapid magazine changes, simply funnel the magazine into the grip well.
The sights are the popular low profile type similar to the famous Novak Lo Mount sight. The SIG sight, however, if adjustable for windage and elevation. Since this is a 24 hour service pistol the SIG features tritium sight inserts. These miniature nuclear furnaces feature a glowing point of reference in dim to dark conditions. Most SIG night sights are the three dot type. I was lucky enough to obtain a SIG Traditional Reverse Two Tone pistol with bar dot type sights. These are the minority in preference among shooters but a configuration I appreciate. The rear sight features a horizontal bar while the front sight features a single dot. This makes for an accurate sight picture, fast to pick up in dim light, and with good speed potential. Just the same everyone doesn’t like this set up and that is why the three dot is more popular.
The pistol was lubricated along the slide rails, barrel hood, barrel bushing and cocking block before firing. Initial inspection showed good fit and finish. The barrel and frame feed ramp feature the requisite 1/32nd inch gap between the two halves of the feed ramp. This insures feed reliability especially if you adhere to the original specification of an overall loaded cartridge length of 1.250 inch. All controls are crisp and sharp in operation. Trigger compression is a smooth 5.1 pounds with rapid reset. This is a controllable trigger that makes for good practical accuracy. I loaded SIG magazines with Black Hills Ammunition 230 grain FMJ for the initial test and also added a good supply of Wilson Combat Magazines. While SIG magazines work fine Wilson Combat Magazines are in my experience the single most reliable 1911 magazines, especially if you experiment with shorter overall length cartridges and wide mouth hollow point bullets.
The pistol comes on target quickly from leather and offers a high probability of a first shot hit. There really isn’t anything faster to an accurate first shot hit at close range than a cocked and locked 1911 handgun. Draw get on target press the trigger to the rear and you have a hit. Muzzle flip is limited due to a low bore axis and the pistol’s weight. I enjoyed the range workout as I extended off hand fire from 7 to 35 yards. As for absolute accuracy the pistol is plenty accurate. I fired from the MTM Caseguard K Zone shooting rest, firing five shot groups for accuracy. The results follow. The SIG 1911 in general and the pistol reviewed in particular are good examples of the 1911 breed well suited to personal defense.
Five shot groups, 25 yards
- Black Hills 230 grain FMJ: 2.5 in.
- Black Hills 135 grain Honey Badger: 2.0 in.
- Black Hills 200 grain Lead semi wadcutter: 2.2 in.
A Tale of Two Studies
“States with relaxed concealed carry laws see spike in violent crimes.” October 5, 2022
“CDC data shows constitutional carry states have fewer total and gun-related homicides.” October 4, 2022
Huh? Sure, they are talking about somewhat different things (“violent crimes” versus “homicides”) yet these typically track each other. And constitutional carry (no permit required) is the ultimate “relaxed concealed carry law”.
According to another study published November 16 by the American Journal of Public Health (of all places) over 6 million gun owners in 2019 were carrying legally daily (and 31 million at least monthly)—twice as many as in 2015. And even more were carrying without permits where they are required than where they “shall be” issued on request. The whole issue has gotten confused, which benefits those who would restrict our right to “bear arms”. (Credit to John Falkenberg at ConcealedNation.org for picking this up.)
The first study, published September 20 by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, reviewed 36 states with their definition of loosened carry laws anytime between 1980 and 2019. Their data came from the Federal Bureau of Investigation Uniform Crime Reports and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics. They report that in 34 of those states, assaults using firearms increased almost 10%. The finding is specific to whether gun purchases became allowed for those convicted of violent misdemeanors, not all other measures of “looser” carry laws. These states (excluding Kansas and Missouri “due to other significant firearm laws changing around the same time)”. And their “advanced statistical” controls were “synthetic”, i.e., constructed by the researchers who “predicted crime rates derived from data from eight states that had restrictive permitting requirements”. Interestingly, homicides not using firearms increased nearly 9% by the same measures during the same period.
What’s wrong with this picture? It sounds impressive, and the data should be authoritative.
- There were 4 shall-issue states in 1980, only 1 permitless state, 24 may-issue and 21 no-issue states in 1980; the rest did not allow concealed carry, and many of the may-issue states did not in practice. By 2019, there were 42 shall-issue or permitless states. So, by that standard, 20 states loosened their laws during that time period. So the major changes occurred in 17 states, with more minor changes elsewhere.
- Lots of changes in firearm laws, not to mention policing and justice practices, social and economic forces occur through time in all states. That’s why it is so hard to pin down any significant change in consequences from certain kinds of law variables.
- “Advanced” or not, “synthetic controls” based on “eight states that had restrictive permitting requirements in place throughout the study period” means the authors were free to define the standards against which they measure results artificially. The best controls are the same places being studied, before and after the changes.
- Their finding that homicides by firearm increased only about 1% compared to other methods of homicide shows a minimal at best difference made by the “loosened” carry laws because they should affect only crimes committed with firearms. That tiny difference is the only finding, assuming everything else stands up to scrutiny, which we can’t.
The second report is the kind of thing anyone who’s sufficiently interested can do. DRGO writers look up CDC (and FBI) statistics all the time, just as Konstandinos Moros, an attorney who works with the California Rifle & Pistol Association recently did. Now in 2022, 25 states offer permitless carry, and all the others are required to shall-issue permits, though some are fighting back against the Supreme Court’s Bruen ruling on this. So a lot has changed in “relaxing” carry laws to date.
Moros was able to find near-complete national data for 2020, when our tragic violent crime and homicide trends began rising. He looked at the rates of homicides and specifically those involving firearms in the 16 states that then allowed permitless carry. These states had an average overall homicide rate of 6.9 per 100,000 people compared to the national average then of 7.5. That’s despite several high outliers for violence, Mississippi, Missouri and Arkansas with rates of 19.4, 13.1 and 12.2. And, not to our surprise, the average rate of homicide using guns was 5.3 compared to the national average of 5.9. One might even conclude that making guns easier to acquire legally made society more secure!
This is a cross-sectional study, comparing states with varying gun laws at a single time. The first study was longitudinal, looking at states through time. Normally, the latter approach is most meaningful, comparing a single geographic area to its history. But the “synthetic control” did not.
The differences Moros found of .6 per 100,000 in each case are not dramatic, and as always it is most certain to conclude that the spread of permitless carry has not caused any increase in homicide rates, either with or without firearms. But this is a simpler, more straightforward look at reality, not dependent on confusing statistical analysis and his results are clear—freer carry rights do not produce anything resembling bloodbaths and may actually improve citizens’ safety.
Incidentally, Carl Moody of the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg found in 2021 that in the 13 states adopting permitless carry from 2003 through 2019, there was a statistically significant drop in overall murder rate, and a drop (though statistically insignificant) in overall violent crime rates. He evaluated violent crimes, police officer killings, and firearm homicides along with overall murder rates. Maybe American citizens can be trusted to do the right thing with the guns an ever-increasing number cling to.
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— DRGO Editor Robert B. Young, MD is a psychiatrist practicing in Pittsford, NY, an associate clinical professor at the University of Rochester School of Medicine, and a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association.
All DRGO articles by Robert B. Young, MD
Rock Island Armory’s VRPF-14 – A Mag Fed Firearm
I’m a fan of the gauge, be it in the form of a shotgun or the gauge in the form of a firearm. These pistol grip-only firearms defy normal expectations and offer you twelve-gauge firepower in the form of a compact and very portable package. The Rock Island Armory VRPF-14 is one of the latest firearms in this genre. The VRPF-14 is a modification of the VRPA-40. The VRPA-40 was a full-sized pump action shotgun, and the VRPF-14 takes that gun and trims the barrel to 14 inches, lops off the stock, but keeps the rest.
The VRPF-14 – A New Kind of Firearm
This includes the ability to use magazines ranging from five to 19 rounds! The 19-round magazine is boomerang shaped and absolutely a unit of a magazine. In this gun, it would be ridiculous and just perfect for such a fun firearm. Mag-fed shotguns are an odd bunch, and mag-fed firearms are even odder. Although the short barrel certainly doesn’t serve as a restriction to the magazine capacity like a traditional tube-fed shotgun.
The ergonomics of the magazine well are odd but easy to learn. The magazine inserts into the weapon straight, much like an AR-15. A very AR-15-like button releases the magazine, and it often falls out freely, but not always. Across the top sits a peep sight and a high-visibility front sight. An optics rail also provides a place to toss a red dot on. As you’d imagine, a red dot makes a lot more sense on a firearm than peep sights.
These types of weapons are typically fun guns, and fun guns shouldn’t break the bank. While the price wasn’t evident, but these guns tend to be fairly affordable. Rock Island Armory and Armscor import these firearms, but the entire VR series has always been well-made as far as my experiences go. These aren’t necessarily duty-ready guns, but they are a ton of fun. I’m excited to get a little more range time with the VRPF-14.
SHOT Show – Woox Gladiatore Moderns Up Mossbergs
Sometimes it’s tough to draw the line between style and overall effectiveness. Well, maybe not for everyone. As a shotgun nerd, I have an integrated appreciation for walnut wood stocks and dark stains. I also appreciate the ability to mount lights. Well, now I don’t have to decide anymore, thanks to a company called Woox. Woox makes a number of stocks and designs for numerous firearms and has recently expanded into the shotgun world with its Gladiatore furniture.
The Woox Gladiatore – Style and Substance
At SHOT, Woox took the time to show off all their new, beautiful wood furniture adorned to a Mossberg Shockwave and Mossberg 500. The furniture on these guns drew me in almost instantly, and I knew instantly I wanted some. Specifically, the Mossberg Shockwave edition of the Gladiatore with the club pistol grip and forend. The Gladiatore furniture isn’t just fine as hell wooden furniture, but it’s practical.
The forend is hit with metal-reinforced M-LOK slots to keep things practical and effective. Toss a light on if you want! Why limit yourself to looking good? The Gladiatore Club grip is a big round thing that looks and feels good in the hand. The checkering helps with a good push/pull on your shotgun or firearm. The stock design is very similar to the Magpul SGA and provides a prominent pistol grip with a traditional stock layout. The design allows for great control and support over the weapon.
The mix of practicality and classic appeals makes this a must-have for me. It tickles both my need for practicality and the classic design and appearance that makes shotguns so appealing. Woox has already released the Gladiatore parts and pieces as both complete sets and individual parts to equip as you see fit. Also, take a peek at their rifle stocks that also blend classic looks with modern appeal.
SHOT’s Tops – 2023
Another SHOT Show has come to a close. This one had a different feel, a vibe all its own in many ways. It was certainly the year of odd calibers with major handguns coming out in .38/.357, 10mm, 45 ACP, 5.7x28mm, and .380 ACP and FN tossing in a rifle in their brand new 6.5x43mm.
But the show always has products that buzz, the ones that nowadays break the internet and stir up love, lust, hate, and memes.
Here are the ones I didn’t stop hearing about from corner to corner on the show floor.
Optics
Holosun: DMS-NV and DMS-TH
Holosun was probably the show stopper when it came to shaking up the optical space. The internet was filled with videos of the new Thermal and Nightvision DMS optics doing their thing on the show floor. These sights feel like something out of HALO, Destiny, or Mass Effect. SciFi brought to the real world again.
This is a massive shift in the market for night and thermal optics, accessibility and quality bar has been reset and shifted. 8x Digital zoom in a red dot is wild, I’ll tell you.
They aren’t cheap, but they’ll be making their way into niches of the market for serious use and just for the hell of it too no doubt.
Leupold: Mark 5HD 2-10x
I’ve heard several people ask, “Why not 1-10?” and to that I have a simple answer, Leupold’s 5x erector for their Mark 5HD line is phenomenal, they probably say little reason to compete against the VUDU and Razor III when they could excel with tech they’ve already steeply developed.
2x isn’t much more difficult to shoot than 1x, many shooters use co-mounted dots instead even if they have 1x, and this scope is channeling its space as an MR/T scope, which went from 2.5-8x back in the day. Available in both illuminated and non-illuminated models.
Handguns
Taurus: T.O.R.O Wheel Guns
Dots on factory defensive 5 and 6 shot revolvers are here from Taurus. I’m hoping they’ll offer this in their executive lines in the future too, as those have absolutely phenomenal triggers while the current models 605 and 856 are solidly functional, but not as pleasant to pull through on.
FN: 510
With 15 or 22 rounds of the centimeter onboard in this expansion of the 500 series the pistol was going to generate attention. Rumors circulating say the recoil within is on the stout side, so we will see if it gains the traction as popular/pleasant model to run for bear, beats, or battle stars.
Lionheart
A slim, 507k optics ready, co-witnessed, Sig 365 irons compatible, 15 round capacity, double action/single action, with a thumb manual safety and their double action+ we’ve known since the LH9 series all rolled into one. These pistols will find a niche in AIWB carrying spaces with aplomb.
I’m looking forward to running this wildcard alongside the 856 and see how they hold their own against the mainstays like the 365.
Rifles
IWI: Carmel
There was a distinct lack of… well… much of anything truly interesting in the 9mm and 5.56 lines that have dominated the last decade rather soundly.
The exception to that rule came out of IWI who dropped the US Variant and much updated Carmel. Purists online seem to be the big mad that they got rid of the original handguard and quick change barrel system. What those purists don’t seem to read up on or look into is that the original gun was about 4-4.5 MOA.
The US one, with its improved and longer freefloat handguard, is tracking at 1 MOA reportedly. So the egregious loss of the legacy features resulted in quadrupling its accuracy standard.
Fair trade.
It also sports just about every feature my beloved SCAR 16 does, minus being in FDE *rattle can noises intensify*, with the notable exception of the price tag. It’s playing in the nice AR price points, not the stratospheric carbine costs of $3k+.
Also the IWI team wants you to suppress these.
All the cans.
All the time.
Half the price.
That concludes SHOT 2023. Stay tuned for reviews on a lot of these.
Young kids these days don’t even know why we say ‘stay tuned’… they’ve never tuned a TV… *feeling old intensifies*
The American Tactical Import’s GSG 9 – The MP5 We Have At Home
Years ago, a company called GSG made MP5 clones in .22LR. They were sweet little guns, but HK took offense and sued the company, so GSG had to heavily modify the rimfire .22s and rerelease them once more under a different name. The GSG 9 takes that same approach. It’s vaguely MP5, and a number of features look and act like an MP5, but ultimately it’s not an MP5. First, it’s a 9mm, but also a straight blowback system. The charging handle is MP5-like and can even be locked open and closed with the HK slap. The safety and receiver have some MP5 styling, and the magazine release matches the button release on the MP5.
The GSG 9 – Not an MP5
The GSG 9 does feature a full-length optic rail across the top of the receiver and a simple set of peep sights made from polymer. The front of the gun rocks an M-LOK handguard, and the rear of the gun has a 1913 rail for attaching a variety of compatible stocks or braces. The muzzle device is a big aggressive thing that certainly stands out.
When it comes to magazines, you can use either Glock or SIG P320 magazines. The magwell isn’t modular, and you don’t have to choose one or the other. Instead, you get a pair of adapters that attach to the magazines. One adapter works for SIG P320 mags, and the other attaches to Glock mags. They lock in place, and you can toss either in the gun. ATI plans to sell additional adapters so you can equip more magazines with adapters for reloads.
It’s not nuts to think that ATI couldn’t produce additional adapters to work with additional magazine patterns. I’m not sure how well this system will work, and part of me thinks dedicated magwell for each mag type would be a better, simpler option. I’m willing to be wrong, though, and hopefully, we can get a GSG 9 in to test and review.
Minus 33 – Wool for Over a Century
I am a self-confessed wool-a-holic. Every sock in my drawer for the last 8 years has been wool – even office socks. I use summerweight wool tank tops as camisole under-layers in the winter – especially at the office. I am even transitioning over to wool pajamas. Thus, my visit to Minus 33 was fortuitous.
This New Hampshire company has been “doing” wool for over 100 years in various iterations of a family business. I found them at SHOT 2023 in the Law Enforcement and Military section, but they cater to the general outdoors community as well. I suppose sitting in the cold on a stake-out can be just as frigid as sitting in a duck blind. The needs are similar, it’s only the quarry that differs.
Minus 33 carries a dizzying array of wool products – from shirts and socks to balaclavas and blankets. There are traditional base layers, but also boxers, bikini briefs, tank tops, and hoodies.
Wool is the original performance fabric. It is fire resistant and resists odors as well. Yes it can keep you warm, and wool retains its thermal properties when wet, but thinner versions can wick well to keep you cool. For this reason Minus 33 carries products in four weights – micro, lightweight, mid weight, and expedition.
One product at the booth which I was particularly attracted to was the “multiclava”. This is a long tube of the micro weight fabric, which can be worn as a hood, a beanie, a headband, a face mask, or a full balaclava. This would be great for the deer stand or duck blind where conditions can change with the shift of the wind. Wear it into your site as a beanie, reconfigure it to a balaclava if it gets colder, or roll it into a headband if the temps rise with the sun – all from the same garment. This is a huge plus when you tend to overload your daypack for the “what-ifs” like I do. This would be a great addition to a go-bag as well when you need to be ready for gawd-knows-what.
I am already a wool convert so I am hoping to be able to try out several items from Minus 33 – from the multiclava, to a hoodie, and maybe even a blanket. Stay tuned for reviews!
SHOT Show 2023: Target Nation Shoothouse Targets
When it comes to organizations such as Law Enforcement or specialized Military Units the need for targetry within shoothouses is large. This targetry needs to be realistic, light and transportable, and not expensive. Government money, you know? Located in the Law Enforcement area of SHOT Show, Target Nation gives us all of that with their 3D target kits.
The Targets
The targets that are offered by Target Nation are 3D and made of cardboard. This means that they can be realistic without the added cost of realistic parts.
Main Features
- Due to being 3D these targets can be angled, resembling a normal human engagement due to enemies not always being front facing. As they teach in shoothouses, shooters should be aimed center of exposure, not center of mass. Angling Target Nations targets offers that realistic side to engagements.
- Vital organs can also be added to the targets. Made by target nation, these fake plastic vitals can be placed inside of the targets. Once engaged, shooters and instructors can walk to the center and verify if the vitals have actually been hit or not.
- Additional items such as different facial expressions, arms, and weapons can be purchased to add onto this target. This will add to the training. While there may be a male target there, if he has a mean facial expression but a phone, is he really a threat?
- Qualification targets, as most organizations have, can be slid into place behind the target nation target. This will show who is actually qualifying with a real life scenario instead of just shooting a front facing qual target on a flat indoor range.
- These targets will fit all target stands but can come with a cardboard stand from target nation if the organization does not want to haul around their own target stands.
Tech Specs
- Strong enough to withstand over 500 rounds of 45ACP shot on the move from 130-degree angle at 7 yards yet is still useable by replacing the VOICE.
- Strong enough to withstand dozens of 12-gauge 00 Buckshot and slugs as shown in our field testing.
- Tender enough to be used with UTM and Simunition rounds, or BBs to where the Vital Organs will effectively mark.
- Sturdy enough to withstand a few stormy days, nights outdoor, and still be useable.
- Simple enough to assemble in less than a minute without tools, staples, or tape.
- Versatile enough to fit any stand, and even accommodate angle shooting from a static lane with its 45-degree left and right anchor.
Pricing and Purchase Options
A sampler set which is a smaller portion of targets to evaluate if it will work for your organization or not will run you $53.99 on targetnation. This includes 2 torso’s, 2 legs, one accessory board, and 14 photorealistic accessories.
Vital organs in the amount of 5ea will run $39.00
If buying a large amount or if you are within a large department be sure to contact Target Nation for special pricing.
Uintah Precision – Bolt action uppers for your AR lowers
Show of hands for anyone who owns AR platform rifle(s) that you are prohibited from using for hunting in your state? Yeah, me too. The state where our family hunting property is located has not yet joined the 21st century when it comes to hunting firearms. I use a lever gun when I hunt deer up there.
All of which means that the gun which I have customized exactly to my liking and have the most practice on is NOT the one I can take into the field every fall. That makes zero sense. Why should I have to hunt with a gun that I sight-in once a year, is heavy to drag around, AND has a stiff trigger to boot, when I already have an AR platform rifle which I built myself, customized to my LOP, and which has a nice precision trigger? Mind boggling, isn’t it?
Maybe some of you are blessed to not have this problem, but what if you have a stock and trigger set-up to really fit your needs, but you want an option for a bit more precision and long range than you can get from your semi-auto upper?
This is where Uintah Precision comes in. This company from Duchesne, Utah manufactures (in the USA) true bolt action upper receivers compatible with LR-308 and AR-15 platform rifles which pin right on to your existing lower. They utilize your existing magazines too. Uintah Precision also builds complete rifles, but I’m more interested in the upper that they can ship right to my door which doesn’t have to go through an FFL. I’m all about flexibility and multi-use.
I first found and wrote about this company at SHOT four years ago when I was preparing to build my own Aero Precision AR-308. I completed that task and took it on a successful hunt in Texas. Texas loves AR’s. But before I could branch out into getting one of Uintah’s uppers and trying it out in the home state, we had the C-virus and resultant lock-downs and every other inconvenience and PIA known to humanity. In all the kerfluffle I frankly forgot all about it.
But I’m back at SHOT this year and stumbled right across Uintah Precision again! How fortuitous!
They’ve expanded their offerings a bit in the interim. They now offer left-handed versions in addition to the standard right-handed bolt, and (if I understand correctly) virtually any caliber which is compatible with the two lower types. This means I could have a 300BLK version for my AR and a .308 version for my Aero. Or maybe even 6.5 Creedmore?! According to their website you don’t have to remove the buffer and spring, and you can even run a Law folder if you want. This is giving me ideas!
To quote from UP’s website, “From hunting to long range precision, or even compliance within heavily regulated states, the Uintah Precision UPR can fill all roles.”
I am so excited!!
Magpul Ups the Game For Travel Cases
Heck, I don’t think this is upping the game so much as rewriting the entire playbook.
Anyone who has ever struggled to use the same travel case foam for different long guns will tell you that it is a giant pain. But it’s either that, or buy different foam for every firearm and then cut it individually to fit- which ain’t cheap – especially when it’s “only” foam.
But especially if you are flying, there isn’t a lot of choice if you don’t want TSA gorillas destroying your prized gear. I’ve personally had this problem several times – trying to make an AR-308 fit into the foam originally cut for an AR-15 – and vice versa.
But Magpul has changed the rules with the innovative Daka Grid case organizer. The idea is that there are individual lego-like foam blocks which interlock into almost unlimited configurations to allow you to completely customize how you want your firearm and gear to fit into your hard-sided case. But once that’s done, it’s not permanent like it is for picking or cutting foam. You can put your steak knives away. This system is able to be endlessly recustomized and reconfigured for what ever gear or accessories you’ll be taking along, and wherever you are going.
The rep informed me that for now the inserts will be available for various Pelican cases, but Magpul’s own cases are in the pipe for this. Additionally, even more foam accessories are coming soon to even further individualize your storage and travel preferences. This system is pure genius and I wonder why no one has thought of it before.
I will likely be pretty far down the list for a professional demo, but I’m telling you right now this is something I will be spending my own money on and I’ll be raving about it until I do!
SHOT Show 2023: Optic Irons from X Nihilo
So you have a pistol with a red dot, great right? Now, what about about the rear irons. Often on handgun slides there is no place for rear irons unless the user buys an already milled slide for irons ahead of the optic/the rear of the optic, or sends the slide to a proper gunsmith to mill it. That takes time and money. The user will also have to buy taller height sights to see over the optic in the rear. Now there is a different option that involves no milling of the slide. This option is Optic Irons from X Nihilo. (a mouthful I know)
Note: This item was found in the New Product Center at SHOT before heading into their booth. If you are on-site head over to the center to see the newest items at the show.
https://xnihilo.us/
What is it?
Optic Irons are simple. Made from machined aluminum these rear iron sights simply screw onto your optic using the same screws that are used to mount the optic.
The Benefits to Optic Irons
- Due to the iron sights being mounted on top of the optic, the sights are standard height. No more taller sights to see over the optic.
- No snagging of tall iron sights due to the sights being hidden by the optic. This means no adjustments to holsters will be needed.
- The rear iron sight will always be centered due to being machined center and mounting the same way each time. No sight drift.
The Iron Sights will come in black. These shown are prototypes. The prototypes are made in silver to stand out from the optic it is mounted on. Total SHOT Show marketing.
The only negative that I could think of is that the right sight is not adjustable anymore. Some may not find this as a negative due to many not adjusting their rear sight in the first place. To each their own.
Specs
These sights are made from machined aluminum making them pretty durable. The package will come with two sets of screws, one set in standard and one set in tall. This is for the height differences between mounting directly to the slide or using a plate, also the different heights in sights.
When Can We Purchase and For How Much?
Optic Irons are slated to in full production cycle shortly and are expected to be $40 dollars MSRP. Check back onto their website for information on shipping dates.
Note: I am aware of another company making a different type of iron sights that mount to your optic. However, these are mounted using screws in the drainage holes and more expensive than Optic Irons. They also are a smaller machined piece and may not be as durable as Optic Irons from X Nihilo. I have not used them myself though and am not sure of what their specifications are so take my word for what it is worth.
The Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol – Beretta’s Budget Shotgun
Many consider the Beretta 1301 to be the best tactical shotgun currently on the market. If it has a problem, it’s the price point. At well over a thousand dollars, the Beretta 1301 can be an intimidating purchase. Beretta wisely figured out that a shotgun that’s a little cheaper could go a long way. If it’s made in America, it can also not need to worry about 922R and the cost of upgrading your gun. This brought us to the A300 Ultima Patrol shotgun. This semi-auto, 12 gauge shotgun offers you an out-of-the-box tactical option for less than one thousand dollars.
The A300 Ultima Patrol is a gas-operated shotgun that features a 19.1-inch barrel, and it holds seven rounds of 2.75-inch buckshot. Alongside the sorter barrel and higher capacity, we have a number of tactical features. This includes enlarged controls, an M-LOK handguard and barrel clamp, and a 13-inch length of pull.
Across the top sits a set of ghost ring iron sights, with a high visibility front sight and an optics-ready rail. The sights sit high enough to allow for cowitnessing with a standard mini red dot. The side of the receiver comes ready with the loop part of hook and loop to attach a side saddle too. At 7.1 pounds, the Beretta A300 Ultima patrol is a light and handy gun.
The A300 Ultima Patrol – A New Type of Shotgun
The A300 Ultima Patrol is seemingly taking aim at the latest Mossberg series of shotguns. The 940 Pro Tactical offers shooters a sub-1000 dollar shotgun that comes complete with an absolute ton of features. I have one, and admittedly it’s a fantastic firearm.
At this price point, the A300 Ultima Patrol is hitting the sweet spot of affordability for a defensive or duty shotgun. I’m curious to see how the gun handles and how the gas system holds up to extensive abuse. I have nothing but high hopes and can’t wait to get a real hands-on with the A300 Ultima Patrol.