Pistol Basics: The Casino Drill

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May 24, 2024

The Casino Drill is a well-known handgun drill involving six simple “kindergarten” shapes, 21 rounds of ammo and 21 seconds. It’s probably one of the best known exercises connected to Tom Givens and his Rangemaster school of firearms training. I’ve known about this drill for years but had never taken the time to try and and recently, I got my hands on a few of the drill’s “official” targets and gave it a [few] shots. I took my pair of Glock 34s to shoot the exercise as one is set up with a red-dot and the other isn’t. Besides the fact that I’ve been working with them, writing about them and shooting them lately, I wanted to see how shooting the drill with or without made a difference. (In this case, it didn’t matter too much).

How The Casino Drill Works

Like many of the drills I cover in my “Pistol Basics” series, the Casino Drill is also a fairly simple drill that doesn’t require much to set up. Carrying out the Casino Drill successfully only requires a pistol, three magazines, magazine carrier(s) to hold at least two magazines, 21 rounds of pistol ammo and a shot timer. The exercise is carried out at five yards, shot from concealment and includes a par-time of 21 seconds. It goes without saying that a concealment holster is also needed. Officially, it’s shot on the full-sized Discretionary Command Training Target (DT-2A/B/C).

The DT-2A/B/C consists of six different shapes: two pairs of triangles, two pairs of circles and two pairs of squares. All four polyguns and both circles found in each target will be six inches tall or six inches wide; each shape will also have a random number ranging from 1 to 6. Finally any shape can be one of three colors: red, blue or yellow. The numbers printed on these shapes are the most important aspect of the drill as far as its round count and shooting order go.

Prior to starting, the shooter loads seven rounds into one of the mags and loads their pistol and holsters it. The two remaining magazines are also loaded with seven rounds each. On the timer’s start signal, shooters need to locate the #1 shape on their target and fire one shot. They must immediately transition to the #2 shape and fire twice, find the #3 shape and fire three times, then move to the fourth shape and fire four times, and so on until each shape receives the requisite number of rounds in the correct order. If the Casino Drill is cleaned, each shape will match the number of shots to its printed number. Because all three magazines are loaded with only 7 cartridges, the shooter will have to reload twice. This is intentional because the entire point of the drill is to force the student to “think with the gun in their hand.” While shooting Casino Drill, students not only need to process the mechanics of drawing and shooting, but they also need to visually process what they’re shooting at and how many times they’re doing so. On top of that, they will need to manage two extra events, (the reloads) without allowing these to become too distracting and detract from the task at hand which is shooting each shape in the correct order with the correct amount of rounds.

Glock 34 Casino Drill — The aftermath of nine attempts with both of my Glock 34 MOS pistols. Pardon the darker picture, it was right at sunset and cease-fire time at the gun club.

Targets And Order Variations

The single biggest issue with the Casino Drill is that after many repetitions, the shooter can memorize the firing order and cues to reload which makes the exercise lose some of its efficacy as far as keeping students on edge and processing information. As a result, the official Casino Drill target is offered in three different permutations. Each has a different combination of shapes and numbers in every spot. Moreover, both instructors and students like to get creative and change some of the drill’s parameters and order. For example, some will load magazines with more or fewer rounds (as long as the total is still 21). Others will use the shapes themselves or their colors and incorporate them into drill too to change up the standard 1-2-3-4-5-6 shooting order. There are many examples out there but the object is to always stimulate thinking and processing while shooting. Mr. Given’s original thoughts on the Casino Drill can be read in this old newsletter he wrote.

Besides changing the order, shapes numbers or anything mentioned above, there are those who like to change the distance and the target itself, such as shooting the six shapes on a much smaller 8 ½ x 11 inch sheet of paper at three yards (see Mini Casino Drill from Greg Ellifritz). This can be as much from convenience as it can to change up the standard Casino Drill. But the goal remains the same: thinking and processing under time pressure.

The Takeaway

After the ordeal of shooting several attempts at the Casino Drill, I failed to clean it even once. Of course I could have “slowed down to get my hits” but that would have been a waste of honest and reasonable effort. The Casino Drill is very strict concerning misses and there can’t be any in order to clean it. At the range, I went for nine attempts frankly because that’s how much ammo I had on hand; I also wanted to get a good feel for this new-to-me drill in order to write this. Out of my nine attempts, I failed to finish three due to egregious errors. The rest were carelessly dropped shots because I didn’t keep my support hand tension in check, especially after reloading. One of the tells is seeing the cluster of missed shots right below target #6.

I compiled my “scores” if you can call them that below. Attempt #8 was shot with the iron-sight Glock 34 and given how massive the shapes are at 5 yards, I don’t think the lack of a red-dot was a defining variable. Could a red-dot provide an advantage? I think it depends on the shooter and their skill level because this exercise focuses on so many variables. Some are apparent and some are more subtle. Frankly, the shot timer’s pressure causes temporary amnesia.

DNF
13.57 (fail)
16.27 (fail)
DNF
14.17 (fail)
DNF
14.29 (fail)
13.51 (fail, shot with iron sights Glock 34)
12.83 (fail)

Shooting the Casino Drill with maximum effort was a humbling experience. One of my biggest errors was allowing the large, basic shapes and the close distance of five yards to lull me into a false sense of security. After putting out my current best effort, it’s clear that executing on the Casino Drill at a high level and with serious competence requires every fiber of the shooter’s being, focus and concentration. Most of the shooting public cannot clear it in 21 seconds and there’s a reason why Mr. Givens established that as the official par time The ability to clean it at 12-15 seconds or less is demonstrative of above-average defensive handgun skills. Past that, navigating into clean runs below twelve seconds is evidence that the shooter’s skill lies 3 standard deviations to the right of the bell curve. Getting to that level requires perfection and economy of motion in nearly everything: drawing to first shot, trigger control, firing hand grip, support hand grip, target transitions, reloads while mentally managing the correct round count and firing order. I’d even argue that even if one “memorized” the motions, consistently shooting clean runs below 10 seconds is still something to be in awe of.

The current world record is 9.04 seconds and here’s my friend Sean pulling it off

Edited to add: Sean actually dropped me a note and told me that missed shots add one second to the total time/score. I previously overlooked this detail.

Concealed Carry Bro Science

By

Travis Pike

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May 24, 2024

Have you ever heard of Bro Science? Bro Science originated in gym culture and is a term applied to the not-so-scientific tidbits that spread throughout the gym. It typically goes something like this, “Bro, if you do fasted cardio, you’ll kill your gains.” Or maybe something like this, “Bro, if you do bench press with both legs on a balance ball, you’ll increase you get sick gains!” That’s Bro Science, and over time, I realized that the firearms industry has its own Bro Science that’s spread amongst gun shops and ranges, and today, we are pointing out the biggest aspects of Bro Science.

Handgun Stopping Power – The King Of Bro Science

One of the key tenets of this whole thing is the lack of any real scientific backing. If you start asking questions, then it falls apart. That’s what happens when it comes to stopping power. If someone says, “Bro, .45 ACP has more stopping power than 9mm,” then ask them what stopping power means.

Winchesters 1911 hollowpoint is an excellent loading.

What’s the measurable aspect of stopping power? What creates stopping power? Is it bullet size? Weight? Speed? How do you measure stopping power? It’s a nebulous term that’s just kind of made up, especially with handguns. With rifles, we have secondary wounding characteristics, but with a handgun, we just got the tissue damage caused by the cartridge going directly through flesh.

Hydrostatic Shock and Handguns

“Bro, .357 SIG can impart neurological hydrostatic shock! If you hit a bad guy in the gut, you can stop their heart!” Make no qualms about it; hydrostatic shock exists. It just requires a heavy bullet moving extremely fast to do so. There is no handgun round that creates any form of measurable or effective hydrostatic shock. Even in rifles, the concept is controversial in terms of its effectiveness on animals of various sizes. You won’t get hydrostatic shock from the .357 SIG, the .44 Magnum, or any other handgun round.

357 Magnum and .357 Sig Don’t create Hydrostatic shock

Big Bullets Are Always Better

There has been a huge shift in the world of firearms concerning bullet size, but you’ll still hear the American mythos of a bigger bullet is better. Plenty of people still advocate for the .45 ACP. Sometimes a bigger round has its advantages, but for concealed carry and defensive use there isn’t much of a notable difference in .45 ACP, .40 S&W, and 9mm. A lot of folks accept that, but switch the conversation to pocket pistols.

“Pocket pistols have to be .380 ACP bro; it’s the smallest caliber you can carry!” You can swap a pistol for a revolver and a .380 for a .38 Special. Sure, those rounds work fine, but are there better alternatives that might be a little smaller? Calibers like .32 ACP, .22 LR, .22 Magnum, and .32 H&R Magnum work and have less recoil and more capacity.

White Lights Give Your Position Away

“Bro, if you have a white light on your gun, the bad guys will know exactly where you are!” Somehow, in 2024, this myth still percolates. Regardless of what we do, it doesn’t seem to improve. Social media posts about weapon lights are full of folks proclaiming the bro science about weapon lights making you a target.

With a combat light the pistol is a good choice for home defense.

In reality, weapon lights allow you to identify threats and prevent you from shooting an innocent person. Sure, light discipline is important, and you should be trained to use your light appropriately. It doesn’t make you a target, and if the threat has a light, then they might spot you before you can spot them. Lights won’t make you a target in your typical home defense or concealed carry environment, that’s just bro science.

Dutch Loading Is Superior

“Bro, I alternate hollow points and FMJs; that way, I can shoot the XZY barrier.” I’m not sure why it’s called Dutch loading, and I hope I don’t offend any Dutch people. The idea of Dutch loading being an efficient tactic boggles my mind. You might have to shoot through some kind of barrier, so do you want to use FMJs? How often can you locate any civilian self-defense shooting where this was a factor?

Even if you could, most hollow points do pretty well through barriers these days. Loading FMJs means every other round will overpenetrate a wide variety of things. This includes people. FMJs are the champs of over-penetration, and that’s why they deserve to be in the range. There are some guns where FMJs make sense, like .22LRs and similar small caliber guns. For most cartridges, it’s JHPs all the way and don’t let bro science tell you any different.

Bro Science and Concealed Carry

The Bro Science in the gun world is very real. The key to seeing through it is to just ask questions. Ask why that works, why it is better, what it means, etc. The good news is that there is more truth out there than ever before and more means for it to be delivered.

My Favorite Shotguns Drills and Skills

By

Travis Pike

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May 23, 2024

As a shotgun fan, I’m always looking to improve my skills with the gauge. Shotguns are not user-friendly like ARs, and the training curve to master one can feel sharp. In reality, the limited use of shotguns means that the core skills required to use a shotgun are relatively simple. Simple, but difficult to master. Drills are a popular way to train skills, but shotgunners likely feel a bit left out. Don’t fret; I’ve got three shotgun drills to help you train in the way of the gauge.

Shotgun Drills and Training

There are a few skills that are essential to running a shotgun. These aren’t the only shotgun skills, but they are the most important. When shopping for shotgun drills, I looked for drills that worked these skills.

Ask about shotguns, and people will gladly tell you they recoil too much and, therefore, the AR is superior. In reality, these folks have never practiced proper recoil management. Recoil management is the number one skill that shotgunners need to learn to succeed. In the year of our lord 2024, the Push/Pull technique beats recoil like it is a stepchild. It allows you to shoot quickly, shoot straight, and save your shoulder.

The shotgun works best at handgun ranges. The shotgun dominates this range by putting a handful of projectiles on a target per trigger pull. It’s efficient and fast. CQB fights are often rapid and brutal, and speed matters. One of the big skills one should have with a shotgun is getting a shot on target quickly. I can get a load of buckshot on target at ten yards from the low ready, which is less than 0.6 of a second.

Finally, the last skill is reloading. Shotguns hold anywhere from four to eight rounds. In most defensive encounters, it’s doubtful you’d ever have to reload the gun. Still, crap happens, and you want to be able to keep the gun loaded and running. Reloading is a valuable skill to have.

With this all in mind, let’s get into our shotgun drills.

The Shoot, Kneel, Shoot

For the Shoot, Kneel, Shoot drill we need three rounds of ammo, and a single target to go along with our shotgun and PPE.

The Shoot, Kneel, Shoot starts with one round in the gun and standing at 10 yards. At the signal, you’ll fire one round on target. You then transition to a kneeling position and port load a cartridge, fire, then port a second cartridge and fire again. That ends the drill. You should land all three hits, and the drill should be done in at least ten seconds, with seven being preferable.

This drill works all three of our big skills. You’ll need to rapidly reload and engage the target while exercising proper recoil control. Transitioning from a port load to a proper push/pull while engaging quickly is difficult. This transition is tricky but worth learning. It helps you flow into the push/pull and starts to build good habits.

Shotgun Casino Drill

I first saw the Shotgun Casino Drill on the Active Self-Protection YouTube channel, but I’m not sure if they created it. The drill requires ten rounds per run and can be done with a pump or semi-auto shotgun. You’ll need four targets, preferably man-sized targets.

Shooters will start five yards from the target. According to ASP, a pump gun can start fully loaded, and a semi-auto should start with three rounds in the tube and one in the pipe. I think three in the tube and one in the pipe works for both guns, but you should be faster with a semi-automatic shotgun.

Starting from left to right, mentally label the targets one through four. You’ll shoot the target sequentially, and each target will get shot according to its number. Target one gets shot once; target two gets shot twice, so far, and so on. By the time you get to target three, you’re short on ammo.

Now, as the shooter, you decide when and how to react. Do you load the tube to full capacity and continue, or as needed? That’s entirely up to you. You have 30 seconds to complete the drill, which is a ton of time.

This drill stresses reloading, recoil mitigation, and rapid engagements. It’s easy to let the drill get away from you if you aren’t practicing the proper techniques.

Shotgun El Press

Justified Defensive Concepts modified the classic El Pres into a shotgun drill. Like the classic El Pres, you’ll set up three targets and start seven yards away. You’ll need nine rounds of ammo per run. Load six in the gun, and have three on your belt or side saddle. There is no rotate and engage, you’ll start facing the targets.

At the beep, you’ll fire two rounds into each target. Once the gun is empty, you’ll conduct an emergency reload and fire once per target. Each target will receive a total of three rounds of ammo. Justified Defensive Concepts has not published an acceptable time, but I use the 10-second par time for the original El Pres.

Once more, we are working on all three skills and doing so in a rapid and efficient way. You are running the gun fast, and that makes it easy for recoil to become a hassle. You’re reloading and instantly engaging, which tests all three skills at one time.

Shotgun Skills

The shotgun can be a brutal weapon but also a very efficient defensive tool. Even though the skills aren’t complicated, it does take a lot of training to master each one. The above drills will get you well on your way to gauge supremacy.

Springfield Armory ST Victor + Law Tactical FSA

By

Athlon Series

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May 23, 2024

Springfield Armory ST Victor with Law Tactical Folding Stock Adapter

Springfield Armory’s Saint Victor line is the company’s flagship product line for modern semi-auto carbines chambered in both 5.56mm and .308 Winchester. Amidst the various barrel lengths, calibers sizes (even large format AR pistols are included in Springfield Armory’s Saint Victor catalog), customers can also opt to choose one with Law Tactical’s famous AR Folding Stock Adapter. Law Tactical designed this hinged device as a means for end-users to be able to completely fold the stocks on their carbines and save space, especially when stowing or storing the weapon. When the AR Folding Stock Adapter is locked and in position, it allows the firearm to fire and cycle rounds as it normally would, with the bolt carrier and the special adapter tail for it still bouncing off the action spring and buffer.

From Our Friends At Athlon Outdoors

The SAINT Victor builds on an upper and lower receiver constructed of Forged 7075-T6 Aluminum. The upper and lower receiver are coupled via the Accu-Tite Tension System, which removes play between the two, optimizing accuracy. In addition, Type III hardcoat anodizing offers a rugged finish providing maximum protection to the platform. An enhanced, heavy-duty, Malonite-coated M16-pattern bolt carrier group with 9310 steel bolt features high-pressure testing/magnetic particle inspection (HPT/MPI). Likewise, the Melonite-coated 16-inch barrel, chambered in 5.56 with a 1:8-inch twist, features a direct impingement mid-length, low-profile pinned gas block and includes an installed SA Muzzle Brake. As a result, shooters will enjoy reduced muzzle rise and a softer felt recoil. Providing the interface is a B5 Systems Type 23 P-grip and Springfield’s free float M-Lok handguard. Riding atop the upper receiver are SA spring-loaded flip-up iron sights that are adjustable for windage and elevation. However, a Picatinny rail on the receiver allows for the addition of rail-mounted optics. Rounds are sent downrange via the premium nickel boron-coated flat GI trigger.

STREAMLIGHT LAUNCHES TLR-7 HL-X USB MULTI-FUEL RAIL-MOUNTED LIGHT

By

Keith Finch

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May 22, 2024

EAGLEVILLE, PA, May 21, 2024 – Streamlight® Inc., a leading provider of high-performance lighting and weapon light/laser sighting devices, introduced the TLR-7® HL-X USB, a 1,000-lumen, multi-fuel, rail-mounted light with a longer-reaching beam that provides up to 22,000 candela, more than double the beam distance of previous TLR-7® models. The new light, designed to maximize visibility and targeting capability in a variety of home defense and tactical applications, gives users the choice of using either a cost-saving SL-B9® USB-C rechargeable battery pack or a 3-volt CR123A lithium battery, depending on availability or user preference.

TLR-7 HL-X

The exceptionally lightweight light, designed to fit full-size and compact handguns with rails, also offers customizable rear paddle switches featuring a low or high position to match users’ shooting styles.

“This latest addition to the TLR-7 line is a high lumen light that is engineered to produce a far-reaching, tighter beam, which helps put more light on a target at a distance,” said Streamlight President and Chief Executive Officer Ray Sharrah. “Whether conducting room clearing, search operations or other maneuvers under low-light conditions, the TLR-7 HL-X USB gives law enforcement professionals, military personnel and other first responders sweeping bright light, while also delivering an intense down-range beam. And with its multi-fuel design, users can select the battery option that best suits the situation at hand.

Features Galore

”The TLR-7 HL-X USB features a white power LED and a custom TIR optic that produces a concentrated beam while also optimizing peripheral illumination. It delivers 1,000 lumens, 22,000 candela, a beam distance of 297 meters, and a run time of 30 minutes (default) or 500 lumens, 11,000 candela, a beam distance of 210 meters, and a run time of 1 hour (programmable) when using a Streamlight SL-B9 battery. The protected lithium-ion 850mAh USB-C rechargeable battery pack is rechargeable up to 500 cycles and charges within 2.5 hours via a USB-C port on the battery or optional bank charger.

With a CR123A battery inserted, the light provides 500 lumens, 11,000 candela, a beam distance of 210 meters, and a run time of 1.5 continuous hours.

Securely fitting to a broad range of weapons (using the provided key kit), the new TLR-7 HL-X USB features a one-handed, snap on and tighten interface that keeps hands away from gun muzzles when attaching or detaching them. The light also includes a “safe-off” feature, locking it so it cannot be turned on accidentally.

Constructed with 6000 Series machined aircraft aluminum with an anodized finish, the TLR-7 HL-X USB weighs 2.88 ounces with the SL-B9 battery pack and 2.80 ounces with a disposable battery. The light measures 2.90 inches in length.

With extensively live-fire tested, impact-resistant construction, the new model features an IPX7-rated design, making it waterproof to 1 meter for 30 minutes.

The new light is packaged with a high switch mounted on the light plus an included low switch and is available in Black or Flat Dark Earth. It ships with one SL-B9 battery pack and a USB-C cable and has an MSRP of $295.00 (Black) and $310.00 (Flat Dark Earth). The light comes with Streamlight’s Limited Lifetime Warranty. Find out more by visiting Streamlight.

About Streamlight

For more than 50 years, Streamlight, Inc., based in Eagleville, PA, has designed, manufactured and marketed high-quality, durable flashlights designed to serve the specialized needs of professionals and consumers alike. Today the company offers a broad array of lights, lanterns, weapon light/laser sighting devices, and scene lighting solutions for professional law enforcement, military, firefighting, industrial, automotive, and outdoor applications. Streamlight is an ISO 9001:2015 certified company. For additional information, please call 800-523-7488, visit streamlight.com or connect with us on facebook.com/streamlight; twitter.com/Streamlight; instagram.com/streamlightinc; linkedin.com/comp any/streamlight-inc./; and youtube.com/streamlighttv.

My Top 5 Carry Revolvers

By

Travis Pike

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May 22, 2024

I’m a new hand at revolvers. Starting early this year, I dived headfirst and quickly discovered that revolvers are a bit like shotguns. They are misunderstood and unappreciated, but they are a blast to learn. I’m far from any kind of master of the dark arts of the wheel gun, but I’m learning. I’m shooting, and I’m spending a lot of money on revolver cartridges. I’m even carrying a revolver these days, and while I’ve settled on one revolver for now, I have a few I’m fans of. I’m not a revolver expert, but that doesn’t stop me from having five favorite carry revolvers.

My Five Favorite Carry Revolvers

1. – S&W 432 UC

My current go-to carry revolver, and top pick is the S&W 432 UC, a new Lipsey exclusive. This revolver checks all the boxes for me. It’s chambered in the 32 H&R Magnum, a round that packs a punch without excessive recoil. It’s a reliable stopper with deep penetration and expansion capabilities. And the best part? It offers six rounds, one more than the standard five.

The S&W 432 UC features a real rear sight which is great because I suck with the trench and front sight setup of most compact revolvers. On top of the sights, this carry revolver comes with high hand grips, which allow you to choke up high on the gun and control it. Those grips are recessed for speed loaders as well. The gun has super pleasant recoil and is super accurate. This is the only snub nose I can use to hit targets at 25 yards consistently.

2. – Taurus 856 Defender TORO

My second favorite of my five carry revolvers is the Taurus 856 Defender TORO. Again, this gun doesn’t use the traditional trench rear sight. Well, it does, but it also has the option to mount a red dot. I can use a red dot a lot better than I can use a trench sight. The Taurus 856 Defender TORO makes shooting a revolver super easy. The red dot is a cheat code, as far as I’m concerned. I can make 50-yard shots with the red dot most of the time.

The 856 Defender TORO isn’t a snub nose but packs a 3-inch barrel. Outside of the three-inch barrel, it’s still a compact frame revolver. It’s a stretched-out snubby. It’s easy to carry in an IWB configuration but won’t drop in your pocket. Taurus did add a full-length ejector rod instead of using a snubby design, and the cylinder holds six rounds of .38 Special.

3 – Ruger LCR in 9mm

One of first carry revolvers I purchased was the Ruger LCR in 9mm. This was before I knew a single thing about carry revolvers, but I wanted one. I also didn’t want to spend money on revolver cartridges, so I went with a 9mm revolver. The LCR in 9mm uses the .357 Magnum frame, so it’s a bit heavier, but the weight works well when working with spicy 9mm loads.

The 9mm cartridge offers the gun a huge advantage because it’s super popular and affordable; plus, various cartridges are available in various weights and projectile types. The moon clips act like speed loaders for quick reloads. The LCR is the Glock for revolvers. It’s boring, but reliable. The double action trigger rules and the gun are popular enough for tons of holster compatibility. The downside for me is the trench sight because I suck with it.

4 – S&W 351 PD

Snubbies aren’t known for being soft in the recoil department and can be downright exhausting when training hard, especially with Airweight handguns. The S&W 351 PD turns the tables by ditching high recoil calibers and settling on the .22 Magnum. This rimfire revolver has hardly any recoil and weighs only 11.4 ounces. The little .22 Mangum will reach deep enough to matter, and the 351 PD gives you seven rounds on tap.

The S&W 351 PD is a great pocket gun. The exposed hammer might be a bit of a snag, but it allows you to eke out a little more accuracy with single-action shots. The big high-vis front sight is nice, but you are left without a proper rear sight. This micro-sized J frame is a ton of fun to shoot and never gets tiring. It’s a great series of carry revolvers.

5 – Ruger GP-100

The Ruger GP-100 isn’t your typical compact frame revolver; most would be famously terrible for concealed carry. They do make a few 3 and 2.5-inch options, and that’s about the only option they offer for CCW. I have the seven-shot Ruger GP-100 Talo exclusive and lvoe it. It’s big, but with the right holster, it’s manageable. The big grips and 36-ounce weight help eat up .357 Magnum recoil. It’s heavy and big, so it lands last on the list.

However, we get great sights and seven rounds. This was the revolver I more or less learned to shoot on. This thing eats .38 Specials up, and I love shooting due to the light recoil and accuracy. It strokes my ego and makes me think I might be okay at shooting revolvers. As far as carry revolvers go this is my last pick to actually carry, it would be my first pick if I knew I was heading to a gunfight.

More Than A Carry Revolver

Carrying a revolver isn’t for everyone. If you’re like me and were raised on an autoloader, it’s an entirely new experience. It takes training and lots of practice. Guess what? You’ll have to experiment with revolvers and holsters to find what works for you. I’m no expert, but these five work for me, so maybe they’ll work for you.

How the AR-18 Influenced Modern Rifle Design

By

Travis Pike

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May 21, 2024

As far as Armalite is concerned, the AR-18 was a bit of a failure. They were flying high on the AR-15 and the US adoption of the weapon. Okay, well, not really, since they sold the design to Colt to keep the lights on. Armalite wanted another hit, and this time, they wanted the sweet, sweet cash, so they developed the AR-18. They knew Colt would chase them down with lawyers if the design was close to the AR-15.

This forced them to be creative. Eugene Stoner created the AR-16 in 7.62 NATO, and Armalite took that design and shrunk it to a 5.56 platform. They also knew that if they planned to sell this as a service rifle, they’d need to be capable of mass production. Mass production is tough, so Armalite didn’t plan to mass produce the gun. Instead, they wanted to sell a license to produce the gun to countries that adopted it.

The AR-18 was designed to provide lower-budget military forces with a modern, easy-to-produce 5.56-caliber assault rifle. The rifle would be cheap to construct and use stampings and welding. It wasn’t as refined as the AR-15 but could provide a modern select-fire 5.56 rifle on the cheap.

Inside the AR-18

The AR-18 had to avoid the direct impingement system and went with the proven short-stroke gas piston design. The AR-18 wasn’t the first short-stroke gas piston system. That award goes to the M1 Carbine. While both guns use a short-stroke gas piston system, the AR-18s significantly differed from the M1 Carbine. The M1 Carbine had to utilize a light rifle cartridge, and the AR-18 had to use a much higher-pressure cartridge.

Additionally, the bolt design, piston placement, and gas trap are all considerably different from the M1 Carbine. The bolt wasn’t all that different from the AR-style bolt with seven locking lugs. Instead of receiver extension and buffer and buffer spring, the gun rides on dual recoil springs inside the receiver. This does allow for folding stocks.

The cocking handle reincorporates and is directly connected to the bolt. Much like the AR, the weapon was well-sealed from dirt and debris. The rifle broke down into an upper and lower receiver group and could break open like a shotgun for easy field stripping. Overall, it was a seemingly decent rifle. The weapon proved reliable, accurate, and easy to shoot, but it was never a major success.

Howa of Japan obtained a license to produce the gun, and Sterling Armaments Company of the United Kingdom also produced the gun under license. The Philippines dabbled with the design, but it seemingly went nowhere. Armalite was sold, and the AR-18 would have been another interesting but nearly forgotten rifle in Armalite’s history.

Yet, the gun lived on, mostly through other guns.

The Influential Nature of the AR-18

Forget about the AR-15 and AKM for a moment. I want you to name five other intermediate caliber semi-auto or assault rifles. Just name five. I bet at least three of those take inspiration from the AR-18. In fact, it’s easy for all five to have inspiration from the AR-18. Guns like the Steyr AUG, the G36, the CZ BREN, the SCAR, the HK 433, the FN F2000, and even rifles from China like the QBZ-95.

That’s only a partial list, by the way. There are way more guns out there that took inspiration from the AR-18 than I’ve listed. Most of these guns take inspiration from the short-stroke gas piston system plugged into the AR-18. Specifically, look at the bolts in any of the rifles listed above. The G36, the AUG, etc, all have bolt and bolt carrier designs that are remarkably similar to the AR-18. The gas piston system is also placed above the barrel of these guns, just like the AR-18.

This specific gas system works insanely well with high-pressure intermediate cartridges. It’s reliable, proven, and also affordable to produce without sacrificing anything. Beyond just working the gas piston system works exceptionally well with suppressors and short barrels, these are both modern needs that have infiltrated small arms design in the last decade.

If you need to make a modern rifle for a Western military force, then the AR-18 is likely your starting point. I’m not saying these rifles don’t have their advantages or are just rip-offs because they aren’t. Just using the AR-18 system doesn’t guarantee success. The SA-80 series used the same short-stroke gas system, and it performed terribly.

The American AK

The legend or the Armalite Rifle 18 has always reminded me of the American Ak. It was rugged, reliable, and cheap to produce once you had the machinery to do so. Sadly, it didn’t have the staying power of the AK, but it had a similar influence. Thankfully Brownells produced the BRN-180 series so we can all get a little AR-18 love.

The Ultimate Defense Wadcutter

By

P.E. Fitch

-

May 21, 2024

S&W Model 640 J-Frame Revolver Ultimate Defense Wadcutter

In 2022, Georgia Arms Ammunition made some waves across the defensive revolver space after the company launched its 148-grain .38 Special Ultimate Defense Wadcutter load that was tailored for classic Smith & Wesson J-Frame revolvers; these guns are built on S&W’s smallest frame*, hold 5 cartridges, and typically have a 1 ⅞ inch barrel. The creators of the Ultimate Defense wadcutter set out to work up this load to accomplish two things. The first was to make a load that corresponds with a 10 yard point of impact (and thus is regulated to that distance using the fixed .38-caliber Smith & Wesson sights found on J-frame revolvers). The second was to ensure its propellant charge pushes the 148-grain slug with a muzzle velocity of 750 feet per second out of the 1 ⅞ inch barrel to ensure the bullet has enough energy behind to adequately penetrate a target for defensive purposes.

Ultimate Defense Wadcutter & The Model 640: A Perfect Pairing

Travis Pike, my colleague here on GAT Daily already touched on these snub-nosed carry rounds last year. It also happened that a reader and good friend gifted me two 20-count boxes of these defensive wadcutters too. I shot ⅔ of the first box through my Taurus 856 not long after I received them from my friend, so by the time I decided to carry out this informal test, I only had one intact box of rounds available. (This makes me wish I would have had chrono data for that first box). Keeping what Mr. Pike already wrote in, I figured the best thing I could do with them is shoot this box of cartridges at 10 yards with one of my J-frame revolvers while clocking their muzzle velocity with my Labradar chronograph. For this simple evaluation, I used my vintage no-dash Smith & Wesson Model 640. This snub-nosed revolver might as well be the quintessential modern J-frame as it takes after the original Smith & Wesson Centennial (Model 40). Both the Model 40 (and the alloy-framed Model 42) set the tone for how modern Smith & Wesson J-frame revolvers are built–especially because of their “internal” snag-free hammer.

S&W Model 640 J-Frame Revolver Ultimate Defense Wadcutter
Labradar — 5 fired casings that were loaded with the GAA UD wadcutters. Notice the Starline brass–good stuff.

Carrying Out The Evaluation

It’s worth mentioning that both the revolver and cartridges were in a range bag sitting in the hot trunk of a car and then spent an additional 30-45 minutes sitting in direct sunlight (bright, sunny, and a high of 85℉ that day). By the time I got to this mini-test everything was plenty warm. While I do know that Georgia Arms Ammunition uses a lead wadcutter from Zero Bullets (as this was disclosed in a podcast talking about the load), I don’t know what propellant they’re loading these with. It’s fair to point out that even pistol propellants can be affected by temperature, whether the ambient is very hot or very cold. I don’t think that the ramifications of pistol cartridge temperature fluctuations are as critical as those in a precision rifle cartridge context.

From a distance of 10 yards, I posted a 3×5-inch index card vertically. To give me a consistent point of reference for the front sight, I drew a crude circle with my pen. Keep in mind that I was conducting this test in a tactical/sport shooting bay at my gun club, so I shot the Model 640 freestyle and unsupported well into the bay as the targets have to be against the main berm. Once the Labradar was set up, I patiently fired all 20 cartridges downrange. Fortunately for me, the Labradar also captured all 20 fired rounds too.

Ultimate Defense Wadcutter Point Of Impact

I’ll let the picture above do the talking for the “accuracy” results. I’d like to reiterate that I held a six o’clock sight picture while taking these shots. Furthermore, accounting for both the shooter and this fixed sight revolver, one can see that the shots are indeed grouping consistently and are regulated “to the sights.” In this case the nucleus of this 20-round group is just slightly off to the right of the index card’s center.

Muzzle Velocity Data

According to my Labradar, here are the data I got from shooting the whole 20-round box of the Georgia Arms Ultimate Defense Wadcutter load:

Average MV: 727 FPS
Highest MV: 781 FPS
Lowest MV: 671
Extreme Spread: 110
Standard Deviation: 30.5
Shots Fired: 20

(Gun Club Elevation: 719 ft, Temperature: 85℉, Barometric Pressure: 29.20 mmHG, Humidity 94%)

My sample size consists of merely twenty cartridges and my Labradar data shouldn’t be taken beyond face value. If I had access to more of these cartridges I wouldn’t mind having a larger sample size and also shooting them through a different 1 ⅞ inch barrel J-frame I own. Quite frankly, the most important aspect is the fact that these loads do shoot to J-frame sights and are regulated properly for 10 yards. Having defensive cartridges, or even standard revolver cartridges in general match up to a specific revolver’s sights and barrel twist can be an exercise in frustration. It’s my understanding that this was one of Georgia Arms’ primary goals in developing this load.

**Technically the I-Frame is the smallest double action frame size from S&W, but those haven’t been made in a long time.

Special Thanks To R.C. for these rounds and supporting my writing directly and indirectly.

380 Isn’t the Minimum Caliber

By

Travis Pike

-

May 20, 2024

How many of you have research concealed carry, watched a Youtube video, or read an article where you ran into a phrase that basically said, “380 ACP is the minimum caliber for concealed carry.” I’ve heard this for more than a decade at this point and there was a time where I believed it. In my previously uneducated mind I thought that the 380 ACP had just enough ‘stopping power’ to get the job done. Not as much as 9mm and .45 ACP of course!

I’ve spent a lot of time educating myself on firearms, concealed carry, ballistics and more. The most important thing I’ve learned is that there is massive amounts of things that I don’t know. With this mindset I’ve embraced new ideas, some that were counter to the my prviosu firearms education and one of those things is that .380 ACP is no the minimum caliber for concealed carry.

What Is A Minimum Caliber?

That’s a really good question. Like a lot of things in the gun world, the idea of a minimum caliber for self-defense starts to fall apart when faced with any real scrutiny. I can’t tell you what a minimum caliber is, but I can tell you what people mean when they say XZY cartridge is the minimum caliber for self-defense.

Their intention is to portray a particular round as the smallest acceptable cartirdge that will still stop a threat. Much like my previous beliefs on the subject they are trying to say the cartridge has enough stopping power to stop a bad guy. In fact it has just enough, no extra to spare. If you try to break down the answer even more it starts to quickly fall apart.

Define stopping power for one. What is the mathematical formula that equals stopping power? Is it foot-pounds of energy? I’ll let you in on a secret: with handgun rounds, the energy doesn’t really matter. It’s not enough energy to create secondary wound effects. Rifle cartridges create more than one wounding mechanism, but handguns are limited to the direct damage done by the piece of metal as it travels through the body.

If it’s not energy is it bullet size? The .380 ACP uses a 9mm diameter projectile that just moves slower than standard 9mm. That seems like an awfully silly thing to measure effectiveness. Cartridges like the .30 Super Carry and 7.62 Tokarev use a smaller projectile, but it’s moving a helluva lot faster, penetrates deeper, and can expand quite well through heavy clothing.

The idea of the 380 ACP as the minimum caliber falls apart quickly when you start to ask questions. The idea of any minimum caliber falls apart.

Why Did .380 ACP Become the Minimum Carry Caliber?

Isn’t that the million dollar question? I don’t have a solid answer becasue we don’t have any kind of formula to tell us what the smallest caliber you should carry should be. I think it became part of the gun culture zeitgeist becasue of the popularity of guns like the LCP and S&W Bodyguard. These ultra small pistols are popular carry options and fired a fairly large cartridge for their small size.

People might forget that in the early 2010s, these guns were huge sellers. They kind of owned the market due to how small they were. Sure, people hated shooting them, but they were tiny little guns that were easy to slip into a pocket.

When it comes to firearms, Americans get really stuck on projectile size. It’s part of that American exceptionalism that got us the .45 ACP, while the rest of the world went with the more sensible 9mm. The idea of a caliber smaller than .380 ACP meant using a poodle shooter like .32!

It’s as if people believed that the .32 caliber round would just bounce off a bad guy. They’d likely start talking about the Moros in the Philippines and other such nonsense.

Is There A Minimum Carry Caliber?

No. We can’t even define the minimum requirements for a carry caliber. It all comes down to your situation and needs to be mixed with a bit of science. We want a cartridge that can penetrate through at least 12-inches of properly calibrated ballistic gel. If it can do that it can make it deep enough to reach the vitals and shut down a threat. The expansion we get form JHPs creates a bigger wound track and provides a nice bonus effect, but we really want that penetration first and foremost.

.22 Magnum ammunition performance can be interesting.

Hot .22LRs can do that these days with the right ammo. That doesn’t mean that .22LR might work well for you. Maybe you are in a very cold environemnt and hearty jackets are an issue. They won’t stop bullets by any means, but they can sap some of the penetration out of the .22LR. For you the .22LR might not be enough, so maybe you want that .380 or .32, or even 9mm.

Suppose you’re like me and live in a southern state. That might never be a real concern. You have to plan for your environment and situation. I hate the recoil of a pocket .380, so if I’m stuck with a pocket pistol, I’m choosing the .32 ACP.

You’ll have to research, experiment, and decide what your minimum caliber is and why. It doesn’t have to be .380 ACP by any means.

Magpul Product Announcement: ELG Stock/Hand Guard

By

Keith Finch

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May 20, 2024

Magpul recently announced new Enhanced Lever Gun (ELG) furniture for an old-school platform: Marlin lever-action rifles.

The ELG™ M-LOK® Stock-Marlin® 1895/1894/336 – our next-gen lever-action stock – features internal storage, as well as both LOP and comb height adjustment capabilities, and a variety of sling-attachment points.

The ELG™ M-LOK® Hand Guard-1895 is an upgrade that’s simple and easy to install, and brings your Marlin’s hand guard into the 21^st century. With M-LOK slots at the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock, a built-in handstop, the ELG Hand Guard modernizes your Marlin’s forend.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

ELG M-LOK Stock-Marlin 1895/1894/336 Stock:

The ELG M-LOK Stock is designed to provide Marlin lever-action rifle shooters a stock with maximum adaptability that optimizes their iconic firearm. With adjustable length-of-pull (LOP) and comb height for various types of optics, storage of extra ammunition or accessories in a weatherized portion of the stock, and the ability to attach various Magpul M-LOK accessories and slings, Magpul brings new capability to the lever-action rifle.

ELG M-LOK Stock-Marlin 1895/1894/336 Stock Features:

· Adjustable LOP (1.5ʺ total adjustability in 0.5ʺ increments) and comb height (0.75ʺ total adjustability in 0.25ʺ increments)

· On-board ammo storage that is modifiable to other storage needs

· M-LOK slots for accessories

· Proprietary recoil pad

· Sling-swivel on pistol grip allows for easy carry

ELG M-LOK Stock-Marlin 1895/1894/336 Stock Price/Colors:

MSRP: $139.95; BLK/FDE/ODG; all colors coming soon.

ELG M-LOK Hand Guard-1895:

The ELG M-LOK Hand Guard-1895 is a lever-action hand guard designed to optimize the functionality of the Marlin 1895-pattern series of lever-action rifles. The handguard is 12” long, and attaches to the firearm using a patented mechanism which only requires the user to remove the OEM or other manufactured hand guard and end cap.

ELG M-LOK Hand Guard-1895 Features:

· Quick and easy installation

· M-LOK slots to mount accessories

· Integrated handstop

· 12ʺ length

ELG M-LOK Hand Guard-1895 Price/Colors:

MSRP: $79.95; BLK/FDE/ODG; all colors coming soon.

The BTS 12 – The Ukrainians Adopted What Shotgun?

By

Travis Pike

-

May 19, 2024

soldiers-from-the-68th-jaeger-brigade-oleksa-dovbush-of-the-v0-nquivzpq5tuc1 — Ukraine MOD

It’s recently been revealed that The Ukrainian military has adopted a new shotgu n. It is not just any average shotgun but a mediocre Turkish mag-fed bullpu p shotgun. They picked the Escort BTS-12. I’ll give James Reeves all the credit for breaking the story in my world. Apparently, a few military and defense-oriented websites had reported it prior, but James brought it to the forefront.

The Ukrainian military has received billions of dollars in aid and weapons but apparently didn’t receive any decent shotguns. The Escort BTS-12 is just one of a glut of bullpup mag-fed shotguns being produced by factories out of Turkey. These guns are exported around the world, and they occupy the shelves of a great many American gun stores under several brand names with slight differences in configurations.

These are cheap money pits and certainly aren’t suited for a modern war. Admittedly, the Ukrainians weren’t looking for fighting shotguns. The 68th Jaeger brigade adopted these shotguns to deal with FOV drones. That’s an important role, but not a direct close-quarter battle shotgun.

What’s the Problem With the BTS-12

The Escort BTS-12 shotgun is a gas-operated bullpup shotgun that’s magazine-fed. The included magazines hold five rounds of ammo, and the gun can chamber up to a 3-inch cartridge. There are a few models of the BTS-12, and it seems like the Ukrainians have an older model with carry handle fixed sights.

Hatsan states the gun has a self-regulating gas system, which isn’t unique but fairly typical. The gun likely uses a Remingto n 1100-style gas system, and Hatsan crams it into a plastic bullpup shell.

That description is about as generic as it gets for bullpup shotguns these days. These Turkish guns are everywhere and follow that exact description. The American gun-buying public must be hungry for them.

After briefly looking around online, I found they are available for as little as 300 dollars. That’s a fairly typical price for a cheap Turkish shotgun. The folks buying these tend to be low-information gun owners who think they’ve found some futuristic option for a semi-auto shotgun. You won’t see any professional trainer pick one up and declare it the new hotness.

What’s the problem with these guns? It comes down to long-term reliability. The variant James Reeves reviewed didn’t make it through five hundred rounds without an issue. These guns tend to fall apart and are perfect for the low-information crowd that doesn’t tend to shoot that much anyway. I imagine these durability problems will become hyper-evident on the battlefield, where they’ll be knocked around and beaten up.

Why The BTS-12?

If the gun is such a piece of crap, then why would the 68th Jaeger brigade adopt it? There are plenty of quality shotguns for around the same price point that could do the job. I’d hazard to guess that Ukrainian soldiers can’t go to Cabelas and grab Mossberg 500 s. They have a limited selection, and Hatsan likely had plenty to sell and sell on the cheap.

They are an armored brigade, and bullpups work well in and around the tight quarters of armored vehicles. That’s a small benefit to the gun; it’s easily stored in an armored vehicle. A semi-auto action makes it easy to try and follow up with a second shot on a fast-moving mini drone.

The BTS-12 seen in photos from Ukraine shows a long barrel model. This must be some form of export model that might have a longer barrel to meet minimum length requirements. If I were shooting drones, I’d be using some heavy birdshot, the heavy types of shot designed for geese. These heavier birdshot loads function better with longer barrels and the velocity they offer.

Sadly, due to the carry handle style sights, the sight radius isn’t extended. The sights on the BTS-12 shotguns are AR-like peep sights, which make it tricky to hit moving air-based targets. For a military force used to using magazine-fed rifles, the magazine-fed shotgun makes a lot of sense. These soldiers are used to using similar platforms, and this cuts down on training. Hopefully, these soldiers will be cycling their shotgun ammo to keep the plastic hulls from deforming under spring pressure.

Not For Me

The BTS-12 would not be my first, second, or third choice. In fact, it’s pretty far down there. I can see the need and understand that I live in the United States and can pick any shotgun I want. These guys gotta use whatever they can get. I hope they blast a great many drones out of the sky and that their guns remain reliable. However, my hopes aren’t high.

FN Rush 9Ti

By

Athlon Series

-

May 19, 2024

Two years ago, FN released its first commercially available 9mm titanium suppresso r, the FN Rush 9Ti. Although the FN Rush 9Ti is compatible with any 9mm pistol whose barrel has ½ by 28 inch threads, this new suppressor is naturally tailor-made for the FN 509 Tactica l Series of pistols as well.

For example, not only can the FN 509 Tactical’s taller suppressor height sights clear the outer circumference of the Rush 9Ti, but the body of the suppressor also stays well-balanced while it’s mounted on the pistol. One of the areas where FN’s engineers paid critical attention is the Rush 9Ti’s baffle system which set out to seal gasses very tightly and ensure they are exhausted forward towards the muzzle in order to reduce blowback and interference with the shooter.

FN Rush 9Ti Suppressor Features

Caliber Rating: 9x19mm
Overall Length: 7.3 inches
Tube Diameter: 1.375 inches
Weight: 10.8 ounces excluding piston
Included 1/2×28” piston
Included end cap/front cap assembly tool
Titanium tube, high-heat stainless steel blast and tulip baffles, aircraft-grade aluminum baffle stack
Available in Flat Dark Earth or Black HT Cerakote
Limited lifetime warranty

From Our Friends At Athlon Outdoors

An included 1/2×28″ booster assembly proves unique. Dubbed the “smallest, most lightweight on the market,” it helps produce a tight gas piston seal. The corresponding gas flows through the blast chamber and baffle stack, timed to enable rear neutral impact to slide cycle speeds, according to FN. The design goes after reliability in function. It reduces back pressure into the firearm, reducing overall wear and tear, along with felt recoil, according to FN.

“When selecting a suppressor, customers often have to choose between effective sound suppression, reduced blowback or felt recoil; you very rarely get all in one,” said John Ryan, Director of Product Management for FN America, LLC. “Our team developed a suppressor that delivers an unmatched shooting experience straight from the box. You no longer have to settle for one or the other with the Rush 9Ti.”

The Kit Gun – Weird Gun Genres

By

Travis Pike

-

May 18, 2024

Flickr_-_~Steve_Z~_-_22_32_L — Wikipedia

The gun world has lots of weird corners that result in lots of interesting little guns often designed to fit niche uses. Today’s weird genre of firearms is the kit gun. When I heard kit gun I assumed someone meant like a kit car. A gun that’s dressed up to look like a high-performance weapon, but isn’t necessarily a high-performance weapon. You know, like the GSG 5 rimfire MP 5 wannabes.

I was wrong.

What’s a Kit Gun

Kit guns, a fascinating part of firearms history, were designed to tackle the challenges of the great outdoors. These were often compact, lightweight guns, with the most common being rimfire guns in .22LR. However, the caliber varied significantly. S&W crafted .38 Special and .44 Special kit guns, and the .32 S&W Long was a popular kit gun cartridge in the past.

These guns were designed for huntin g small game, killing pests, and even self-defens e. Hunters might employ a kit gun to deliver the coup de grace to a wounded animal, and fishermen might carry one to eliminate moccasins and other similar predators. Campers would be well armed with a kit gun for self-defense, pest control, recreational shooting, and small game hunting.

The name comes from these guns being easily packed as part of one’s fishing, hunting, or camping kit.

S&W started the idea of the kit gun in 1911 with the I-frame .22lr 22/32 revolver. This was a six-shot, double-action revolver with adjustable sights and a swing-out cylinder. The idea quickly caught on, and there is a lot of overlap with another weird genre of revolver s known as tackle box guns.

S&W came up with the name and first design, but guns from budget revolver makers like Merwin and Hubert, Iver Johnson, and countless imports were the most common kit guns. Who wants to spend S&W money on a revolver that is going to be used and abused in the woods or in the boat? I can only imagine the dread creeping up on a fisher who drops a S&W over the side of the boat.

Notable Examples of Kit Guns

S&W continued to produce various kit guns. The company had the original 22/32, as well as the Model 35, the 34, the 43, and the 317. To this day, the company produces the eight-shot 317 Lite Kit gun, which is a sweet little gun that’s sadly often hard to find.

Other kit guns include guns like the Iver Johnson 55-SA series that was available in both .32 S&W Long and 22LR. H&R produced revolvers that had a lot in common with my first girlfriend. They were stout but ugly. These were often nine-shot .22LRs that were affordable and tough enough for the abuse.

The Modern Kit Gun

What does the modern kit gun look like? While the 317 has kit gun in its name, it costs 800 bucks. That’s a tough sale to me. I’d argue there are still plenty of good guns that would qualify as kit guns. They should be compact, light, and affordable. With that in mind, I have a few modern kit gun suggestions.

T aurus TX22 Compact – Small, light, and affordable all describe the semi-auto TX22 Compact. No one said a kit gun had to be a revolver. The TX22 Compact gives you 13 rounds of 22LR on tap. It’s perfect for hunting, fishing, etc.

R uger LCRX .22 LR – The 3-inch model of the LCRX in .22LR is the definition of light and handy. The polymer frame helps reduce the potential for rust and keeps the weight and price low. The adjustable sights are a throwback to the original 22/32, and the gun even holds eight rounds.

H eritage Barkeep – The Heritage Barkeep is stupidly simple. It’s a single-action only .22LR revolver, but with a cylinder swap, it can shoot .22 Magnum. The Barkeep has a short two-inch barrel but maintains its front sight. For about 150 bucks, it’s a great kit gun that you won’t mind messing up.

Kitted Up

Kit guns aren’t quite so popular these days, and I think it’s because most people who carry already have a CCW handgun. Why not just bring your Glock 43X on the boat? It seems simple enough. This weird gun genre likely saw it’s death to the spread of concealed carr y. The idea itself is still sound for some, and maybe you can use it as an excuse to buy a new gun?

Long-Range Rimfire Precision Shooting

By

Athlon Series

-

May 18, 2024

Athlon Outdoor Video Series Long Range Precision Shooting

Shooting rimfire rifles and ammunition is a great way to touch the finer points of precision rifle shooting without having to bear the full costs that are oftentimes associated with full-bore centerfire precision rifles, their cartridges, and other accessories. Specialized rimfir e precision rifle rigs can cost just as much, if not more, than their centerfire siblings. However, generally speaking, shooters can get excellent results from more affordable models, such as the Tikka T1X that’s featured in this video.

With that said, it’s very important not to skimp on quality match-grade rimfire rounds for best results. Specifically, because they tend to be more consistent than bulk rimfire ammo products (which are better suited for plinking anyway). After all, consistency is the name of the game when it comes to precision rifle marksmanship caliber or cartridge notwithstanding.

Glassing Up for Long-Range Precision Rimfire Shooting

Similarly, one should still strive to get the best-magnified optic their budget allows. Thinking that a less expensive rifle begets a less expensive scope is useful only to a point. But what good is trying to shoot precisely when you struggle to see your targets clearly? A scope’s ability to gather light and magnify it to the shooter’s pupil doesn’t change because each round costs .20 cents instead of $1.20.

Because of the realities that pertain to rimfire cartridges, such as less power and less ballistic capabilities, shooting them well at extended distances becomes more challenging as shooters need to account for the slower muzzle velocities and the wind/environment’s effect on the bullet during flight. It can ironically be more of a challenge to shoot rimfires, but they provide a valuable training opportunity when it comes to riflery.

Watch the video below to learn more about shooting rimfire precision rifles.

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To catch other videos from the Athlon Outdoors Long Range Precision Shooting Series, please click her e.

The PSDR – The Most Silenced Revolver

By

Travis Pike

-

May 17, 2024

One of the cool things about the original Star Wars movies was the use of World War I and World War I I firearms. The production dressed the guns up, and they created a unique style that entered the realm of iconic. When I first saw the PSDR, that’s the vibe I got. In fact, if it was a part of bar trivia, I’d have called it a Star Wars gun. In reality, the PSDR is a special-purpose revolver design that offers one of the most complicated suppressed weapons I have ever seen.

The PSDR – One Heckin Suppressed Revolver

PSDR stands for Peters Schalldämpfer-Revolver, which translates to Peters Suppressed Revolver. This German design makes use of an American cartridge and revolver to form a gun worthy of Boba Fett. German firearms company Peters Stahl created the PSDR. Peters Stahl might not be well known to American audiences, but believe it or not they were a prolific European M191 1 company.

Gun laws across Europe are notoriously strict and Peters Stahl produced a M1911 that could be easily converted to various calibers. You can purchase one gun and only deal with European regulations once but easily convert the gun to multiple calibers. Peters Stahl entered the special weapons realm at the request of the Northrhine-Westphalia division of the German Spezialeinsatzkommando.

Spezialeinsatzkommando, or SEK, is similar to an American SWA T team. This is a state police force dedicated to special operations. At their behest, the company took an S&W Model 625 and began what must have been a laborious process to convert it into a suppressed platform. The S&W 625 is a large-frame revolver that chambers the .45 AC P cartridge. It’s notable that the most common .45 ACP ammo is a 230-grain cartridge. These are naturally subsonic and excellent suppressed firearm food.

Making the PSDR

Suppressing revolvers is possible but requires some specialized design. The problem with just slapping a can on a revolver and calling it a day is the gap between the chamber and the barrel. This allows muzzle blast and noise to spill outward and makes suppressing the vast majority of revolvers impossible. Some revolvers have used a gas seal design that eliminates the escape of gas and blast. Notably, the Nagant revolver can be suppressed easily.

Building a revolver from the ground up isn’t easy, but I doubt adapting one is either. The PSDR went with the simplest of options and built a suppressor and barrel design that covered everything from the barrel down to the grip. The suppressor is built over the new barrel, and a blast shield encompasses the entire cylinder. The cylinder is also fitted with obturating rings.

The blast cylinder had a hinged portion that opened, allowing the cylinder to open and the user to load, reload, or unload the gun.

Since the big chonky suppressor blocked the sights the company used red dots, and even laser aiming devices. There was also at least one with a mounted variable optic for those apparent long-range .45 ACP shots.

Peters Stahl built both a short and long PSDR. The short version features a shorter suppresso r and acts like a normal handgun. Carbine versions provide a stock for better aiming. There are at least two carbine variants. One uses a simple wire stock, and the other a much more supportive, more traditional rifle stock.

How quiet could it be? Impressively so. Reportedly, the volume of a shot fired was around 90 decibels. That’s about the same volume as a PCP air gun. Needless to say, it’s quite quiet.

But Why?

Why they went with such a complicated method is beyond me. They could have slapped a normal suppressor on an M1911 or HK MP5 and had something similar. The only real difference I can think of would be just how quiet the gun could be without an action slamming back and forth.

Using a revolver allowed repeatability as well. Even if that was your need, I could see something like a suppressed custom short lever action rifle as more useful, but maybe that wasn’t available for the SEK.

You could argue it doesn’t leave casings behind, but I doubt the SEK cared about that. They aren’t doing black ops in German territory on high-risk warrants. I don’t really know why it was designed and built or if it was ever even fielded by the SEK. Still, I respect the ingenuity of the design.