TrueTimber is offering an innovative new option in ground blinds at SHOT 2020. Rather than using a hub and fiberglass poles, this new line uses inflatable tubes for the support structure.
Inflatable “beams” provide support instead of fiberglass poles.
At first glance one would think that air-filled tubes would make the structure flimsy, but this design is anything but. This design actually makes the blind flexible and better able to bounce back from insults such as heavy snow, where lesser poles merely snap.
The poles, or “beams” consist of an inflatable (and patchable and replaceable) air bladder contained within a tough, zippered outer shell. The set comes with two patches. If you have an oops in the field the blind will be repairable on site. Not true of fiberglass poles.
The support structure of the larger version includes a “Rim” around the middle underneath the windows which creates a lower “rest” for a rifle. Being a short female this lower window and rest seemed to be just my speed (err, height?)
The blind folds up into its own daypack and includes a hand pump. This makes the blind extremely portable and easy to set-up, even for one person. TrueTimber claims the set-up process can be completed in two minutes. As a gal who usually hunts by herself, this is a huge draw for me.
The smaller version.
Press packs weren’t available the day I was there, but I am informed that this blind will come in two sizes to start — a 1-2man (woman), and a 3-ish man. I am 5’ 4” and was able to stand up even in the smaller version on Range Day. The larger version on the show floor was taller yet.
The larger version with door open.
TrueTimber says there will be two types of fabric available at different price points and different levels of UV resistance. Price points are projected to be between $150 and $250 – depending on size and fabric, and release is expected in mid- 2020.
One of the new pistols that I’ve been anxious to try since its release last month is the Smith & Wesson Shield EZ in 9mm. S&W released the EZ in .380 a couple years ago and it was quite well-received, so it’s not a surprise that they have upgraded this format into a larger caliber.
Having personally struggled last year with some hand/wrist inflammatory issues, I know what it’s like to try to rack a slide — and then have to let go and use swear words in pain. Things are better now on medication, but I was eager to try this iteration of the EZ so that even if I have another flare I might not have to sit out pistol competition this year, or “go bare” in the carry department.
I found that the slide of the Shield 9 EZ was indeed lighter to manipulate than some traditional 9 mm handguns. The internal hammer fired action allowed the trigger pull to be crisp and not too heavy.
The 8-round magazines have load assist tabs, making life easier for those with dexterity issues there as well.
Magazines have assist tabs.
This Shield comes equipped with white dot sights, a grip safety, reversible magazine release, and ships with two eight round magazines.
This 9 Shield EZ is available with and without a manual thumb safety (I prefer without), and is also available with a Crimson Trace laser.
The S&W rep also informed me that he expects that the 9EZ will soon be released in a Performance Center version as the 380EZ version has, including features such as a factory ported barrel and slide, Hi-Viz sights, and Performance Center action and trigger work. I kinda like the looks of it and am willing to wait until that version comes to market, but I definitely want one of these 9 EZs for my new carry gun!
The Virginia Rally was a smashing success! Most notably because nothing… absolutely nothing… was smashed, burned, flipped, defecated upon, or any other such nonsense.
One arrest was reported of a woman wearing a facemask who didn’t remove it for police. That’s it, no fights, gunfire, blood in the streets, just folks tired of having Northram shove gun control.
Attendance, on the low end estimate, was 22,000 and while pictures can be misleadingly shot they show incredible shoulder to shoulder protesters peacefully assembled. The rally was a success.
Emptying a box of shells is a pleasure with this gun.
Mossberg has been making shotguns since sorta forever, but they are certainly not resting on their laurels. This year they have introduced a new semi-auto 12 gauge shotgun with competition and speed in mind. Building on the extremely successful 930 JM Pro line, Mossberg now offers the 940 JM Pro, and just as with the 930 JM, they did it with modifications and design input from shooting icon Jerry Miculek and women’s shooting icon, daughter Lena Miculek.
I haven’t shot 3-Gun in several years now, but I was anxious to try out this latest iteration of Mossberg’s speedy shotty. SHOT Range Day provided just such an opportunity.
Oversized bolt release and charging handle.
As you can see from the photos the gun comes “stock” with enhancements you used to have to pay for aftermarket. The bolt release button is huge and easily accessible, as is the oversized charging handle. I was able to load rounds through the loading port smoothly and easily – and without pinching my thumb, or losing a nail!
This gun cycled smoothly and super fast. They’ve tinkered with the gas system to speed things up – a feature I was noticing on range day. Engaging steel is faster than it used to be. But to really appreciate that you have to watch a video of Jerry running that gun. Holy Cow!
The biggest new feature from my point of view though is that the stock has spacers for an adjustable length of pull. This allows fit adjustments for women and junior shooters who may have been previously relegated to using a 20 ga youth model instead. Shims also allow for drop and cast adjustments. These features were not available on the 930 series, which is what has kept me from this line previously, despite the otherwise great design.
No Jerry or Lena here, just me.
Another advantage to the redesigned gas system is that it allows for less fouling and thus less frequent cleaning for the lazy like me. (they claim 1500 rounds!) They have also enlarged and smoothed up the loading port to allow for those who have the dexterity for quad-loading (not me, I can barely manage twins – ha!). The orange follower helps for quick confirmation of a cleared gun on a completed stage. In addition to the previously mentioned large bolt release button and charging handle, there is a fiber optic front sight, and Briley chokes to complete the competition-ready package.
For those who are looking for other than competition purposes, the 940 JM pro also comes with a camo pattern stock, suitable for more hunt-worthy pursuits. You’d have to put a plug in that nice big magazine, but then you’d have a dual-use competition/hunting gun that way – which sometimes helps when you are trying to talk yourself into a new firearm purchase. I personally would not need much convincing. This gun speaks for itself!
As I sit drinking my local craft beers and wearing my Dixxon Flannel I reflect on the fact that I’m a gun hipster. A tactical hipster if you will. That leads me to love CZ’s firearms and similar designs. The Laugo Alien (a gun that’s at least as Sci-Fi looking at the Kriss Vector) isn’t a CZ, but it reminds me of CZs through and through. It as a very low bore axis, in fact, it’s a crazy low bore axis. The bore axis is basically in line with your wrist.
Bore axis is one of those things that most people don’t understand. It takes a very low bore axis to achieve any kind of recoil and muzzle rise reduction. The Laugo Alien is one of the few pistols where the bore axis is low enough to make a difference. When you take such a low bore axis and combine it with a caliber like 9mm you have what could be considered one of the easiest shooting guns ever made.
The recoil and muzzle rise reducing effects don’t stop there. In fact, the muzzle rise and recoil are also mitigated by the gas-operated recoil system. Much Line Hans Gruber’s famed HK P7 this gun has a gas piston that retards recoil and makes the gun extremely soft shooting. Add in the weight of a metal frame and slide and you have a gun that barely moves between shots.
From Out of This World
The Laugo Alien isn’t exactly new, but it’s new to the US. Lancer, the company that makes my favorite AR magazines, will be the US distributor. The gun will be hitting the shelves soon and it does pack a ton of features into a very modern pistol.
The upper portion of the slide can be swapped to accommodate an MRDS upper slide or a slide with a section of 1913 Picatinny rail. This allows for a level of modularity we haven’t seen with handguns before it.
The Laugo Alien proved to be one of the most controllable, easy handling guns I’ve ever fired. It makes a 9mm feel like a 22 Magnum. The gun hardly moves round after round. It’s most evident when you have a miniature red dot attached to the gun. You hardly see that little dot move.
The Laugo Alien – Premium Grade Guns
Holy crap, everything about this gun exudes quality. I wish I could put more rounds downrange at range day. The gun doesn’t just barely move, but the ergonomics are spot on. The Laugo Alien handles like a champ. It feels like a high-end premium-grade gun because it is.
The trigger is absolutely outstanding. The trigger took me by surprise when firing my first shot and I was blown away. This thing is absolutely brilliant. The grip is comfortable, the recoil is nil and the trigger is brilliant. Don’t consider this a full review, but if you asked what I thought about this gun I’d have nothing but positives so far. Hopefully, we can review a Laugo Alien soon and have a full range report.
Let’s make it smaller. Smaller and smaller and smaller seems to be the current predisposition of the gun community and industry. The Saint Edge PDW is a perfect example of that. PDW ARs have existed before. The Saint Edge PDW is one of the first production guns from a big AR company in the PDW format. The Edge PDW isn’t just a super short AR but seems to be a well-thought-out design.
Going Short
To be honest, after handling the Aero M16A4 clone with its wonderful full stock and 20-inch barrel it’s hard to go back to a short-barreled AR 15. They tend to be rough, concussive, and full of bright muzzle flash. They simply aren’t comfortable compared to the classic 20-inch barreled AR. One simple fact remains, the shorter the barrel the rougher an AR can be. The 5.56/223 is designed to be fired from a 20-inch barrel, so when you trim it down to a 5.5-inch barrel like the Edge PDW you expect it to get rough.
That’s just a trade-off of having a short barrel. However, to be fair the Edge PDW seems to mitigate a bit of the effect of a super short barrel. The first key to the gun’s easy handling at Range Day seems to be the weight of billeted receivers. The gun’s overall somewhat hefty nature lends itself to easy handling. It’s not as light as you’d expect, but it’s not heavy either.
The best feature that lends itself to making the gun comfortable is the linear compensator at the end of the barrel. It directs gas, muzzle flash, and concussion forward of the shooter. It’s not pleasant if you’re downrange, but I doubt that is the biggest problem you have at that time.
Topping off the Edge PDW
To top off the Edge PDW you have a number of different features. First is a specialized grip for PDW sized guns. This Reptilia grip is designed for short-barreled rifles and works well in that regard. The Edge PDW is a mere 18.75 inches overall and this specific grip is comfortable for guns this small.
The PDW pistol brace is a Maxim Defense model and it’s largely accepted by the firearms community as the best PDW brace out there. The gun is also topped with actual sights. For some reason gun companies, these days seem to hate including sights onto their guns, but Springfield bucks the trend with spring-loaded, all-metal, flip-up iron sights on all of the Saint series rifles and pistols.
The Edge PDW comes with a short M-Lok rail system and a hand stop which you’ll need for safety reasons with such a short gun.
I had minimal time with the Edge PDW, but I found it to be a very capable, easy handling, and fun shooting rifle style pistol. Stay tuned because I hope to have an Edge PDW in for full review soon.
Tired of short rifle hunting seasons? Don’t really want to try a compound bow or crossbow for archery season? Umarex may have an answer for you!
The compressed air shooting market has gone crazy in the past decade or so, and unsurprisingly this is now spilling over into “Air Archery”.
Umarex has introduced the AirSaber and the AirJavelin – Two different sized “air bows” – or air rifles which shoot an arrow projectile instead of a pellet.
I got to shoot both of these fun air guns at Range Day, and it was a hoot!
The workings of the AirSaber will be familiar to rifle hunters – stock, bolt action, scope, trigger, etc. It runs on compressed air either from a cylinder or a hand pump. I’m told that Umarex is working on their own home compressor (which would be easier than keeping a cylinder around) and I’ll be able to take a look at that at the booth tomorrow.
Familiar rifle-type platform.
The AirSaber is designed for large game. Powered by 3625 psi of compressed air, it has a velocity of 450 ft/sec and 169 fpe, which is plenty of kinetic energy to ethically take a deer. The AirSaber has a price point significantly cheaper than a quality crossbow, too – starting at $369.99 – and it is available now.
The AirJavelin is smaller, and designed for shorter-range targets and smaller game. The AirJavelin uses 88 gram CO2 cartridges and is aiming at family adventures, with a pistol grip and fully adjustable stock for the smaller people in your family. The rail allows for attaching a red dot. It comes with three arrows and an MSRP of $169.99. The AirJavelin is expected to be available the end of this month.
Placing the arrow in the AirSaber.
Shooting the AirSaber was simple and cool. I placed the arrow down the muzzle onto the holder, cocked the gun with the bolt action, released the safety, found my target in the scope and pulled the trigger. There was a little puffing noise, no recoil, and the arrow hit right where I aimed it! Easy Peasy!
Ready, Aim, Fire – Poof!
When I handled the AirJavelin, it weighed next to nothing – I’m not kidding. Though it had the workings of a firearm, I could lift it with a finger or two and there was virtually no noise and no recoil. This is definitely a tool you could use to introduce your kids to safe gun handling and a way to keep the little ones involved who don’t yet have the strength to draw back a regular bow.
The AirJavelin runs off a CO2 cartridge.Did it go off? I didn’t feel anything. Zero recoil.
Every state game commission has embraced the air archery concept for hunting predators, but there are still a few holdouts for large game like deer, so check your local game law. But if you are lucky enough to live in one of the permissive states, the AirSaber and AirJavelin from Umarex may give you new, exciting, non-firearm options for your hunting season!
Despite seeing many cool things on my 2020 SHOT Range Day wanders, the winner for “coolest new thing I never expected” is … drumroll… The Springfield Armory Edge EVAC.
It’s so new that their webpage for it isn’t even complete yet. But I got to shoot this cool new AR pistol and see the takedown process! It handles just like any other 5.56 AR pistol, but the barrel comes off, and the brace folds up, such that it fits into it’s own little bag about the size of my travel toiletry kit!
Those pieces become your AR pistol.
The package comes complete with that “ready bag”, and has an M-LOK compatible free float handguard, “proprietary muzzle brake”, and a 20-round PMAG. It arrives all ready to be your bug-out bag buddy!
The catalog view.
The rep told me that they only have about fifteen of them currently, but they are expecting to ship in the spring. I have an odd fascination with guns that you can package up in such a way that it doesn’t scream “GUN!”, so the Edge EVAC is a dream come true!
The writer having fun with the EVAC.
I’ve got a serious case of the gimmes now, so I’ll need to save my pennies until spring. I’ll fondle it some more at the booth this week, but I couldn’t pass up a chance to shoot such a cool little package and then tell everyone about it!
While I was at the Springfield booth, I also got to shoot their little Hellcat. Me likely! For such a small package, it was surprisingly accurate and not very “snappy” at all – especially with the mag extension so that I had a place for my pinky. That extra pinky space gave me a total of a thirteen round capacity, and as much as I love my little Glocks, my G43 can’t touch that. Despite the gun’s small size I was clanging the little steel target paddle back and forth quite easily. The gun pointed naturally for me and the sights were easy to use.
I think I want a Hellcat now, too!
So, Springfield is my surprise favorite of the day as far as firearms are concerned. But there is much more to tell you about from Range Day, and the entirety of SHOT Floor days are still to come!
And you thought I was talking about “me”, didn’t you?
This story is only tangentially related to SHOT 2020, but provides some human interest in what is otherwise a week full of marketing, noise, and glitz.
You may recall my recent piece about having a traipse in the woods to find some quiet time. Well I was having that kind of spasm yesterday – except I was in the middle of Las Vegas Strip. After a night of interrupted sleep due to pounding music outside, I was despairing of finding any peace at all for the entirety of the week.
But – a random wander through my hotel led to a most unlikely oasis. I had never stayed at the Flamingo Hotel before, so I did not know this island of succor existed. Out a side door, there it was – a garden “habitat” full of waterfalls, fish, ducks, and of course flamingos. It was admittedly planned and artificial, but it gave me what my irritated nerves were craving. I slowly wandered – the splash of the water drowning out most of the din from the Strip. It was glorious!
Wood Ducks tootling along.
At one point I stopped on a bridge and enjoyed watching some Wood ducks tootle around, while huge orange fish swam lazily underneath. As I was video-ing some of them, the wildlife specialist arrived for feeding time.
Feeding her “kids”.
We had a lovely chat while she did that. She told me that when she tells people that she works on The Strip, they make sympathetic noises. But then she tells them that she gets to work in a lovely garden habitat and she tells them about her “kids” – the ducks, flamingos, etc. She used to work in wildlife rehabilitation, but it apparently got too depressing.
She told me that though the original various duck species were brought in for the purpose back in the 90’s, some of the ducks actually nest in secluded back corners of the grounds and have raised broods here. Some of the ducks I was looking at were second or third generation hatchlings.
Then there are those who just find the place and decide to stay. She pointed out a certain Mallard as an immigrant adoptee. Then she pointed out one dark little fellow who she identified as a Coot. He apparently has a misshapen leg, found this shelter and has also taken up permanent residence now.
The Coot is a bit akin to this young woman I think. They both were on different paths and arrived here a bit “injured”. The Coot has found his shelter in an unlikely place and so has this wildlife specialist. Though she was originally a country girl, now she tends her flock on the Las Vegas Strip.
I’m so glad that I found this spot and met this young lady. Now that I know it’s here I’ll be back for a recharge every day this week after I’m all SHOT-ed out.
That reminds me – I need to visit the Ducks Unlimited Booth at the Show this week. As maligned as we sometimes are, hunters provide one of the largest conservation income streams there are. Also stand by for a review of the Mossberg 940JM Pro – and anything else I can get my hands on at Range Day today!
Swampfox Optics announces the Blade 1x prism scope, dedicated to law enforcement patrol rifle and home defense applications using the AR-15 and featuring the Bullet Rise Compensating reticle, providing 5, 10, and 15 yard holds calculated to account for the optic’s height over bore.
The Need
In 2019 we got a lot of emails and calls from small agencies and individual officers asking what Swampfox made that was “duty grade” and would hold up to law enforcement conditions. It became very clear that there is a need for a tough, basic sub-$400 1x prism dedicated to law enforcement use. Blade is our answer to that need, and we think it just happens to be an excellent choice for those using the AR-15 in a home defense role as well.
The Optic
Because Blade features a glass etched reticle and a fast focus ocular, it is ideal for shooters with astigmatism or other issues that cause problems when working with red dots. Blade includes everything you need right in the box—the 1913 MIL STD Picatinny mount is built into the scope body and houses a single CR123a battery inside. Honeycomb anti-reflection device and high quality flip caps are included. Windage and elevation caps are tethered to the scope body to help prevent accidental loss. Eye box and eye relief are excellent, as you would expect in 1x25mm. When the ocular is set correctly for your eyes, a crisp sight picture is instantaneous with both eyes open.
The Illuminated Reticle
It is our opinion that a BDC reticle in a 1x optic is not realistic for law enforcement and home defense engagement distances. In American law enforcement, 75 yards is generally considered a “sniper’s shot.” Officers are not taking legally justified shots at 300 or 400 yards with 1x optics, their engagements are happening at “in your face” distances where the biggest accuracy issue is accounting for the mechanical offset of the optic’s centerline height over bore. Because Blade’s mount is built in, this centerline height is consistent on any AR-15 with a “flat top” style receiver, and it has been mathematically accounted for in our reticle design. We call it BRC because at 5, 10, or 15 yards the bullet “rises” to meet the shooter’s view through the optic. If you need the quickest shot possible, just center the reticle’s ring around the target and let fly. If you need extra precision up close and you have an estimation of the distance, you don’t have to guess and float your reticle somewhere over the top of your target. Select the closest hold and you’ve gone a long way to eliminating that nasty close quarters accuracy problem.
Blade is available in red or green illuminated variants, with ten settings from NV compatible to daylight bright. Because the reticle is etched into the glass it appears in black when illumination is off, or when the illumination is overwhelmed by use of a high-lumen white light in close quarters. Unlike a red dot, Blade’s reticle never “washes out” in a bright white target area. Flashing a weapon light on and off simply changes your perception of the reticle from illuminated to black instead of losing the sight picture.
For the home defense role, Blade includes Shake ‘N Wake motion sensing illumination. Put your AR in the safe with the reticle set to your favorite brightness setting, and 225 seconds later it will shut off and draw no power until it senses movement again. Officers using Blade in patrol vehicles will want to manually shut off illumination using the top mounted push button controls.
The Price
Our goal with
the Blade project was to keep pricing under $400 at MSRP and, if possible,
under $300 for those budget minded officers. We are very happy to set MSRP at
only $289 with no corners cut on quality and toughness. Expect “street price”
to be under $250, and LEO pricing well under that.
Like all our products, Blade is covered by our
50,000 Round Guarantee. (And no, we aren’t seriously going to ask for your
round count. We’ll take care of you if something goes belly up down the road).
You can check out all the full specs and details at
www.swampfoxoptics.com. –Swampfox Mike
Who doesn’t love PCCs? We all love them because they are more popular than ever before. With CZ, SIG, Ruger, hell even Aero is releasing one this year, finding gear for them can be tough. Purpose-built PCC gear is a must-have if you are like me and own numerous models. Going too specific with molded mag pouches prevents me from using the same equipment between different PCCs. Beez Combat systems had the answer for my problems, with their pistol caliber carbine chest rig.
Beez makes some outstanding gear, and the PCC chest rig is no exception. The Beez PCC chest rig is made to be low profile and is one of the lowest visibility I’ve ever seen. Put a jacket over it, or even a heavy button-down shirt, and it effectively disappears.
It’s made from 1000 denier Cordura, and mil-spec thread and velcro are used to ensure it won’t out before it’s broken in. It comes with Velcro attached magazine flaps that are easily removed if you prefer an open rig. The rig holds four magazines, and it’s not platform-specific.
Packin’ Mags 9mm To MP5
The Beez PCC rig is designed to retain a variety of different platform magazines. They are focused on 30 to 32 round magazines specifically. Beez maintains a list of magazine compatibility.
In my testing, I can confirm they fit Glock 33 rounders, CZ Scorpion magazines, MPX magazines, Colt SMG magazines, Beretta 32 round magazines, and CZ 75 26 rounders (just barely long enough.)
These magazines are all roughly the same size but have different geometries. They fit, and they fit tight enough that they won’t fall out if you are moving and grooving on the range. Covering the entire front of the chest rig is MOLLE compatible.
To be clear, it’s not MOLLE webbing, and it’s the Beez Grid system. This laser cut system gives you MOLLE compatibility with a much lower profile. It’s tight and holds the chest rig much closer to the body.
How The Chest Rig Runs
First off, this chest rig is quite comfortable due and very easy to adjust. The shoulder straps are an H-Harness and all easily adjustable, as is the rear strap. The shoulder straps are also quite robust. They go over and around the arms, and they can be adjusted for proper height and fit. There are six points of connection from the straps to the chest rig, so the kit is well supported.
The shoulder straps also have a large padded portion to distribute weight better. Four fully loaded PCC mags can be a little hefty, and if you are wearing the Beez chest rig for a long time, it’s going to get quite substantial in a short period. Thin straps will dig in, rub, and chafe you to no end. That little bit of padding also has Grid cuts to accommodate a radio, a knife, or whatever else you want to toss on there.
I mostly run this whole getup with one of my Scorpions. Specifically, the Mini Scorpion since it’s my favorite anyway. The Scorpion 30 round mags almost get eaten by the Beez chest rig. There is only a small portion of the magazine exposed to draw the magazine. It’s a little higher than I’d like, but with practice, I was able to figure it out quickly enough.
The magazines feed smoothly without exception, and the central location of every magazine makes each one easy to access. Even in odd positions, you can still reach any of the mags with ease. That’s one of the joys of thin PCC magazines.
Lock it Down – Secured Fit
Once the Beez Chest Rig is appropriately locked down, it won’t jump, swing, or move with any reckless abandon. It can be fitted easily, but you need to take the time to make sure it’s properly fitted and comfortable.
The added Grid system allows you to expand the kit, and add a medkit, handgun pouches, or even more SMG/PCC pouches if you want to run it large and in charge. I’ve become a bit fond of the slick, low profile version of the carrier. It’s lighter, more comfortable, and very well done.
The Beez Chest rig is a fantastic little rig for the PCC user. With Aero Precision releasing a PCC this year, I started getting hyped once more for PCCs. It’s purpose-built and proves itself to be a reliable piece and highly functional piece of gear. Check out Beez here, they are a small, but high-quality company with a variety of chest rigs, mag pouches, and more.
Magpul is giving us a SHOT Show advent calendar for 2020 and they are announcing an item or two, or three a day. Today was a big day for PCC nuts like me. They released drums! Not another 5.56 or 7.62 drum, but 9mm drums. Specifically, they are now making drums for 9mm Glocks fed Carbines and the CZ Scorpion.
Magpul Beats their Own Drum
9mm Glock pattern drums just make sense. For the longest time, KCI was the only game in town, which is surprising when you consider Americans love guns and love having lots of ammo on tap. For a lot of PCC platforms, the Glock magazine is standard. They are affordable, available in varying capacities. A drum from a reputable company like Magpul is a must-have.
The CZ Scorpion drum is a natural extension of Magpul’s previous expedition into CZ Scorpion magazines. The Scorpion is an already popular platform with rifles, pistols and K models being quite popular. The CZ Scorpion magazines are finding their ways into other firearms and like Glock magazines they are affordable and easy to find.
The drum magazines use the same successful design as the Magpul D 60 drum. The drums feature a ratcheting loading lever that removes tension from the internal spring. To keep track of your available firepower, we’ve included a rounds-remaining rear window and a high-visibility follower tip.
Put it in Your Backpack
The popular Magpul Backpacker Stock for the Ruger 10/22 Takedown is getting a little beefier to accommodate the Ruger PC platform. The 9mm Ruger PC came as a factory takedown model and the Backpacker stock allows the receiver and barrel to connected when taken down.
This improves convenience in carrying and keeps everything together for easy traveling. The Backpacker Stock has proven to be very capable with the 10/22 and I have no doubts the Ruger PC carbine variant will be just as good.
The stock offers multiple QD points, as well as a small pocket to stash survival gear and an additional pocket to accommodate a Glock magazine. All in all, it looks like Magpul has done an awesome job of beefing up the Backpacker stock.
2019 was great year. There were some challenges, but also some very satisfying accomplishments. In fact, I was so durn proud of myself last year that now I’m wondering how I’m going to top that. I’m looking at new goals for the new year (aren’t we all?) On my list are topics such as the following:
Concealed Carry: Readdressing my concealed-carry commitment, and issues/barriers to that.
I’ve had a carry permit since 2009, and just like everybody else I struggle with how to fit daily carry into my life. Honestly, with my profession it often just doesn’t. But I would like to maximize the non-work time that I can make carry a reality. It may be that I need multiple guns and multiple holsters to fit multiple options.
With the hand/wrist issues I had last year there was a period of time where a handgun was simply impossible for me to operate without extreme pain. So I’ll also need to take a possible recurrence of physical limitations into consideration.
To start off, I need a new holster for my Glock 43, and want to look at other concealed pistol options – including the Sig P365, S&W 9EZ, Springfield Hellcat, or even one of the newer Kimber or Colt revolvers. SHOT 2020 should give me a good opportunity to do that.
Defensive Shotgun
Also in the defensive department I want to spend some more time working with the Mossberg 12 gauge pump gun I rebuilt last year. Those motor skills are perishable, and the shotgun is one of my fall back options if I have hand issues again and can’t operate a pistol. I want to look at upgrades to my butt cuff and side saddle and look into a fiber optic front sight.
Hunting
I’d like to spend more time in the woods this year chasing game, even if I have to pay for the privilege. I’m looking for more ways to use my Aero Precision M5 to fill my freezer.
Rimfire
This year I want to continue my rimfire adventures with .17HMR and .22LR, continue exploring small game hunting options, and maybe expand my plinking target collection.
Food
In the non-firearm arena, I also want to continue my food preservation education, including learning my way around a pressure canner, and learning how to prepare some of the game meat that I harvested. On top of that I want to continue my wild food foraging education.
That sounds like plenty to keep me busy, and who knows what other surprises may pop up as we go through the year. But that gives me at least some sort of framework on which to base my SHOT 2020 explorations this year. I do enjoy a random wander around the show floor, but having some sort of plan cuts down a little on the leg mileage for the week.
Come along with GAT Daily as we explore the upcoming SHOT Show 2020 opportunities and make progress on our goals for the new year!
NEWINGTON, N.H., (January 17, 2020) – SIG SAUER, Inc. is pleased to announce a contract to supply ammunition to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) for up to $7.5 million. FLETC is the premier law enforcement training entity operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security with locations throughout the U.S.
“It’s an honor for SIG SAUER to be recognized for our capabilities to deliver a wide selection of the highest quality, most precise ammunition to the foremost law enforcement training center in the U.S,” said Ron Cohen, President and CEO, SIG SAUER, Inc. The FLETC ammunition will be manufactured at the state-of-the-art SIG SAUER ammunition manufacturing facility in Jacksonville, Arkansas.
The SIG SAUER Ammunition awarded in the contract is:
SIG SAUER Elite Match Grade rifle cartridges are engineered for precision auto-loading platforms utilizing optimized shell case metallurgy and premium primers, featuring a hollow point bullet and brass casing. The contract includes: 223REM (77GR) and 308WIN (168GR). SIG SAUER Elite V-Crown JHP defensive rounds combine perfected material specifications and fine-tuned design innovations, featuring a jacketed hollow point cavity and coated nickel cartridges. The contract includes: 357MAG (125GR), 357SIG (125GR), 380ACP (90GR), 40 S&W (165GR), 9MM (115GR), and 9MM (147GR). SIG SAUER Elite Ball FMJ are designed to match SIG V-Crown ballistics for a more seamless transition from training to carry ammunition, featuring a metal jacketed bullet with a lead core and brass cartridges. The contract includes: 45AUTO (230GR) and 9MM (124GR). SIG SAUER Law Enforcement Duty Ammo is a defensive round designed specifically for the demands of law enforcement professionals, featuring a jacketed hollow point cavity, coated nickel cartridges, and are sealed and waterproofed. The contract includes 45 AUTO +P, JHP (230GR).
About SIG SAUER, Inc.
SIG SAUER, Inc. is a leading provider and manufacturer of firearms, electro-optics, ammunition, airguns, suppressors, and training. For over 150 years SIG SAUER, Inc. has evolved, and thrived, by blending American ingenuity, German engineering, and Swiss precision. Today, SIG SAUER is synonymous with industry-leading quality and innovation which has made it the brand of choice amongst the U.S. Military, the global defense community, law enforcement, competitive shooters, hunters, and responsible citizens. Additionally, SIG SAUER is the premier provider of elite firearms instruction and tactical training at the SIG SAUER Academy. Headquartered in Newington, New Hampshire, SIG SAUER has almost 2,000 employees across eight locations. For more information about the company and product line visit: sigsauer.com.
If you buy the direct from H&K product, the MR556, you are not getting an HK416. Yes it’s piston drive. Yes it’s an AR with a quad rail or their funky version of keymod. But it is a distinct product with a different barrel and receiver set.
Brownells with their 416 kits and reproduction receiver/barrel sets has sought to correct this market deficiency. H&K has a history of not giving us what we want due to… reasons, I guess… but Brownells along with H&K has given us an avenue to a close reproduction 416, not a German law neutered export.
The MR556 has faced legitimate criticisms for not being the 416, and this video is illustrative of those points. Henry and Josh delve into the main component differences after showing the rifles impressive legs.
I would like to see (mostly because these guys have the range access for it I do not) a series of ‘reruns’ on rifles that have been used in the past to collect data on just how much an LPVO can improve hit probability over traditional optical setups. I think some of the poorer performing service rifles would see a significant boost. I want to run the X95 SBR in such a format as the Tavor with Meprolight put in a mediocre showing.
Henry and Josh mention it in relation to the Vortex Razor. Optics matter, good optics allow shooters to take advantage of more of the rifle’s base capabilities. I’d like to see the M16/M4 done with a Razor on them and then a breakdown of the 4 optical systems. Irons, Red Dot, ACOG, and LPVO. Run the rifles up close too. I’m pretty certain of the trend we would see on accuracy and time but I like independent confirmation.
