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OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
CONTENTS
133rd Year of Publication
NRA
is entitled to the ownership and legal use
EXPERTS
of firearms, and that every reputable gun IN THE
U.S. Army photo owner should be an NRA Member. FIELD
40 46 56
Photo by Forrest MacCormack
American Rifleman Archives
28
MEMBER PROGRAMS: (800) 672-3888
AMERICA REMEMBERS PRESENTS
A fter more than five years of hard labor and 1,912 miles of track, the Central Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads met on May 10, 1869 in Promontory
Summit, Utah. The impossible dream to connect the country with a single, transcontinental railway had been accomplished.
The creation of the First Transcontinental Railroad was arguably the single greatest engineering feat of the 19th century. It took the teamwork of
thousands of politicians, businessmen, surveyors, tradesmen, engineers, and laborers to blaze a path across the Western Frontier.
When it was finished, Union Pacific engineer Silas Seymour said that there was "Nothing like it in the world.” As our nation observes the
150th anniversary of that historic event, it’s still hard to grasp the magnitude of what happened.
The Transcontinental Railroad Tribute Rifle
To commemorate this important historical event in American history, America Remembers proudly presents the Transcontinental
Railroad Tribute Rifle. For this special tribute, we selected an Old West classic; the Model 1866 Rifle. This rifle was a fixture on the
American frontier and was used by the workers during the construction of this historic American achievement. The Model 1866 was the
first firearm to ever bear the Winchester name. Affectionately known as the “Yellow Boy” for its bright brass frame, the Model 1866’s
ability to fire 15 consecutive rounds made it a favorite among cowboys, lawman, and outlaws of the Old West.
The Transcontinental Railroad Tribute is a working, lever-action Model 1866 Rifle in caliber .44-40 (.44 W.C.F.) with a
handsomely blued, 24 ¼” tapered octagonal barrel. Rifles for this edition are produced by the artisans of A. Uberti, where
master craftsmen have painstakingly reproduced the greatest firearms of history for more than five decades. This Tribute
is offered exclusively by America Remembers and is strictly limited to an edition of 500. Craftsmen, commissioned
specifically for this Tribute by America Remembers, decorate each Tribute in elegant 24-karat gold with a nickel
embellished background serving as the canvas for the artwork.
The Railroad Race That Reshaped Our Nation
In 1862, the Pacific Railroad Act authorized the creation of the Central Pacific and Union Pacific
Railroad companies, who were tasked with connecting the line from Council Bluffs, Iowa to San
Francisco Bay. Both companies would earn land grants, government loans and bonds, but the
railroad that built more and built faster would earn more.
The construction of the railroad became a race against time and a quest for treasure. Money t The right side of the receiver features details from
proved to be a great motivator as workers for both companies performed almost superhuman Thomas Hill’s painting, “The Last Spike.” The 1881
feats of daily labor and endurance. The laborers, including Civil War veterans and recent painting of the historic driving of the last spike features
immigrants from Ireland, China, and countries all over the world, proved themselves up over seventy portraits of individuals who helped make the
to almost any task that was offered. There were no power tools or backhoes. They Transcontinental Railroad possible. On the left, Jupiter is shown,
used muscle to fill 50-foot deep gorges, sledgehammer boulders, and set every officially known as Central Pacific Railroad #60. On the far right, a
railroad tie in place. group of workers are featured laying the last rail (pictured above).
On May 10, 1869, locomotives from the two railroads met nose-to-
nose at Promontory Summit in Utah. Crowds of workers, onlookers,
and railroad dignitaries gathered as Leland Stanford drove the final
spike that joined the rails of the transcontinental railroad. Stanford’s
sledgehammer and the spike were connected directly to a telegraph
wire so that the strike could be heard “as it happened” at stations
across the country.
The First Transcontinental Railroad was a remarkable
achievement that catapulted America to new heights. It
displayed our boldness, tenacity and ingenuity. It was a
technical feat that earned us the respect of the world,
but it also connected our country and reconnected
our hopes and dreams for the future.
Only 500 Available
Only 500 of the Tribute Rifle will t The left side of the receiver features the moment that the Union Pacific and Central Pacific met at
ever be produced. Each Tribute is Promontory Summit. CP Chief Engineer Samuel S. Montague (left) and UP Chief Engineer Grenville
individually numbered and shipped M. Dodge shake hands, surrounded by dozens of assorted crew, laborers and railroad officials. Pictured
with a matching numbered prominently to the scene’s left is the Golden Spike. The 17.6-karat gold ceremonial spike was driven by Leland
Certificate of Authenticity, Stanford to mark the joining of the tracks (it was quickly removed and replaced with ordinary steel). Union
which will confirm your place Pacific No. 119 is pictured to the right. The 4-4-0 steam locomotive was one of the engines that made history at
among the elite ranks of Promontory Summit. To the left, a group of railroad crew and laborers pose alongside the Jupiter locomotive.
collectors. Order now and we will
arrange delivery of your working
Tribute through the licensed
firearms dealer of your choice.
As always, you will receive
your Transcontinental Railroad
Tribute Rifle with our 30
day guarantee. If you are
not completely satisfied,
you may return your
Tribute to us in
original, unfired
condition for a
complete and
courteous
refund. MODEL: 1866 Rifle BARREL LENGTH: 24 ¼ inches CALIBER: .44-40 (.44 W.C.F.)
I wish to reserve ___ of the Transcontinental Railroad Tribute Rifle, Name ___________________________________________________
a working Model 1866 Rifle, at the introductory price of $2,395.*
My deposit of $195 per rifle is enclosed. I wish to pay the balance at Address _________________________________________________
the rate of $100 per month, no interest or carrying charges. Certificate
of Authenticity included. Thirty-day return privilege. City/State/Zip ____________________________________________
*All orders are subject to acceptance and credit verification prior to shipment. Sales tax is required in certain
states and will be added. Shipping and handling will be added to each order. Virginia residents please add sales tax.
q Check enclosed for $_____________ . Daytime Telephone No. ( ________ ) _________________________________
q Charge payment of $ _____________ to:
q VISA q MasterCard q AMEX q Discover
America Remembers®
10226 Timber Ridge Drive ✭ Ashland, Virginia 23005
www.americaremembers.com
©AHL, Inc. No. __________________________________________ Exp. ___________ To place your reservation toll-free call 1-800-682-2291
NRA PUBLICATIONS
Doug Hamlin
Executive Director
OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA Evelyn Q. Kessler
Deputy Executive Director
Wayne R. LaPierre, Executive Vice President Marshall J. Flemion
Managing Director, Integrated Marketing
Terri A. Wolfe
Executive Assistant
official journal The Armed Citizen . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 10
Rachel Carr
Publications Operations Coordinator
Larry Quandahl
Special Reports Firearms Inventory Manager
Standing Guard .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 12 EDITORIAL
John R. Zent
President’s Column .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 14 Editorial Director
Mark A. Keefe, IV
Political Report .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 16 Editor In Chief
ILA Report .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 64 Brian C. Sheetz
Senior Executive Editor
Regional Report/Member Info & Benefits .. .. 66 Ann Y. Smith
Senior Executive Editor, Digital
Programs & Services .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 68 Joe Kurtenbach
Executive Editor
Kelly Young
Managing Editor
Christopher Olsen
correspondence The Keefe Report .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 8 Assistant Editor
David Herman
Readers Write .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 22 Assistant Editor
Maureen A. Denfeld
Favorite Firearms. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 37 Editorial Assistant
Bruce N. Canfield, Wiley Clapp,
Rick Hacker, B. Gil Horman,
Jeff Johnston, Jeremiah Knupp,
Jim Wilson
reports News & Notes .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 28
ART
Field Editors
ACOG. Accessories courtesy of Propper. Design by Do not return damaged copies. Change of
David J. Labrozzi. Photo by Forrest MacCormack. address should include both new address and
a mailing label bearing the old one. In case of
duplication send both labels.
R1903_COVER.indd 1 1/10/19 11:18 AM
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Receiver is CNC-machined
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I
Ruger’s 10/22® .22LR
t was customary for more than a is being carried
factory mags century to read about new firearm on in the same
! introductions first in these very plant where Colt’s
New pages. Now, you will likely find it on handguns are
loader americanrifleman.org, Facebook or made … . There
some other digital platform first. When appeared to be no
we broke the news on the diminutive special production
new Mossberg MC1sc polymer-frame problems in the
9 mm pistol on Facebook, less than an present operation.
hour later, one of our followers, Jeremy “Production at that time was at the
M., commented “Go to bed Mossberg, rate of 1,000 rifles per month … Colt’s
you’re drunk … .” I can assure you states that tooling for production of
p/n LU30B that the engineers who developed 20,000 rifles per month could be com-
Mossberg’s first new handgun in a pleted within three months … . It is
century were not inebriated at the the frequent experience that quantity
BX-1, 5, 10 time. It will be next month’s cover production rates are not reached at the
unloader BX-15 & BX-25 story as written by Executive Editor time expected or without difficulties,
Joe Kurtenbach, or you can read nevertheless the above does give an
about it, and see a video, now at indication of what is possible at Colt’s.”
americanrifleman.org/mossberg/mc1sc. That makes basic AR platforms, as
So, what did the blogosphere and offered commercially, more than a half a
Twitter trolls think of the AR-15 when century old. In this month’s issue Field
introduced by Colt’s? Nothing. Crickets. Editor Jeremiah Knupp (p. 40) tells the
Absolute silence, because the commer- story of the evolution of the AR with
cial version of the AR-15 was intro- a 20" barrel as a rifle, which seems to
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THE ARMED CITIZEN
®
I
n Columbia, S.C., a pair of escaped convicts looking for an easy target picked
the wrong home. After managing to escape from the county jail, one convict
kicked in the back door, then armed himself with a knife sharpener before
advancing to an upstairs bedroom. Roused by the 3 a.m. disturbance, the home-
owner grabbed her firearm and shot the intruder as he came into her bedroom.
“This was a big guy. If she hadn’t had a weapon there’s no telling what would have
happened,” said County Sheriff Rick Clark. “This is the shining example of why
owning and knowing how to use a gun is important. She came out on the good
on this end and the other guy, the bad guy, didn’t.” (The Times and Democrat,
Columbia, S.C., 12/5/18)
IF YOU HAVE
A FIRSTHAND S oundly asleep in her bedroom, a 74-year-
old woman awakened to the sounds of
a burglar breaking her door open. Startled,
fled through several neighborhoods and
a construction site before crashing into a
mailbox. Witnessing the pursuit and crash
“ARMED CITIZEN” the woman grabbed her recently purchased outside his window, a nearby resident
EXPERIENCE, handgun and met the intruder at the top of armed himself in case he was drawn into the
CALL NRA-ILA PR/ the stairs, where she took aim and fired a confrontation. And sure enough, the carjacker
COMMUNICATIONS single fatal shot. EMS arrived on scene to chose to force his way into that very house,
AT (703) 267-3820. save the life of the homeowner, who suffered where he was met by the vigilant homeowner
a heart attack after the incident. (The Kansas and held there until the police arrived to arrest
Studies indicate that firearms City Star, Kansas City, Mo., 11/30/18). him on multiple charges. (The Missoulian,
are used more than 2 million Missoula, Mont., 12/18/18)
A
times a year for personal t a Prospect, Conn., car dealership, the
A
protection, and that the owner and an employee were tending Texas couple out doing errands had
presence of a firearm, without to business when two masked invaders to fight their way out of danger after
a shot being fired, prevents burst in through the back door. Armed with being targeted by criminals looking for
crime in many instances. handguns, the offenders began assaulting someone to rob. The husband-and-wife duo
Shooting usually can be the owner and employee. Luckily, an armed were followed on their way from a bank to
justified only where crime patron happened to be in the building, and the grocery store, and then upon loading
constitutes an immediate, he opened fire on the two attackers. Both groceries into their car, a black SUV pulled
imminent threat to life, limb, men fled through the back door. Police and into an adjacent parking space. Abruptly,
or, in some cases, property. EMS found one attacker nearby, and he one of the SUV’s occupants jumped out,
Anyone is free to quote or was subsequently declared deceased at the pulled a gun and demanded the woman’s
reproduce these accounts. scene. (Citizen’s News, Prospect, Conn., purse. Fearing for his wife’s safety, her
Send clippings via e-mail to 12/13/18) husband drew his own firearm and used it
armedcitizen@nrahq.org, to fend off the suspects. The two robbers—
or by mail to “The Armed
Citizen,” 11250 Waples Mill
Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-
A thief looking to make a quick score had
the tables turned by an off-duty fireman.
Upon entering a restaurant in Ukiah, Calif.,
both injured—drove off, but proceeded to
crash their vehicle before attempting to flee
on foot. Police arrested one suspect after
9400. For bonus features, the crook ducked into a restroom, then he turned up at a nearby fire station seeking
visit “The Armed Citizen Blog” re-emerged with an employee at gunpoint help for a shoulder wound. (abc13.com,
at americanrifleman.org. and proceeded to rob the establishment. Katy, Texas, 12/29/18)
Share this column online at Seeing his chance, the first responder drew
his own concealed firearm, fired and sent the
I
nrapublications.org. n Lake Odessa, Mich., a man suspected of
attacker fleeing. Though he quickly fled the substance abuse stole a truck and trailer to
premises and dumped the cash and his gun in take it for a joyride. Stopping the vehicle in
the parking lot, police later found the holdup a local neighborhood, the suspect forced his
man at a nearby store and arrested him way into a nearby house. The homeowner
without incident. (The Ukiah Daily Journal, awoke to discover the desperate man stating
Ukiah, Calif., 12/14/18) he was being chased by someone attempting
to kill him. Grabbing his gun, the resident
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n January, while the United States the Democrats’
government was still partially shut Gun Violence Prevention
down, anti-gun members of the U.S. Task Force. He characterized
House of Representatives decided to the day’s proceedings as the culmina-
focus on gun control rather than to en- tion of a six-year effort “to find the
sure that the country has a functional most efficient and most effective way Giffords was in attendance as
government. to help save lives.” Pelosi and Thompson introduced
Arch anti-gunner Nancy Pelosi Their first big play was H.R. 8, the H.R. 8, along with other fixtures of
(D-Calif.) quarterbacked the effort in “Bipartisan Background Checks Act the anti-gun cause, including Josh
her capacity as Speaker of the House. of 2019.” The single-digit bill number Horowitz, David Hogg, Lucy McBath
“[T]oday is … a day of action,” she was meant to convey the high priority and Shannon Watts.
said at the press conference introduc- the Democrat-controlled Congress Yet as infamous and deplorable as
ing the 116th Congress’ first major places on gun control. the Tucson event was, it was a strange
gun control push. “We say enough is The pair also chose Jan. 8 to launch occasion to use to mark the launch of
enough by finally bringing common- their effort for ostensibly symbolic rea- a “universal” background check bill.
sense, bipartisan background check sons. This was the date in 2011 when The individual convicted of the
legislation to the Floor of the House.” an assassination attempt in Tucson, attempt on Giffords’s life had, in fact,
As applause erupted, she added, Ariz., tragically wounded then U.S. purchased the firearm he used in his
“Isn’t that exciting?” Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and resulted crimes from a federally licensed dealer
Joining her in the effort was Rep. in the deaths and injuries of innocent after passing the mandatory back-
Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), chairman of bystanders. ground check.
But then the concept of “universal” conference—and others have repeat- have not pursued a criminal lifestyle
background checks has always been a edly shown that criminals usually get for profit or gain but who, on a single
matter of style over substance. the firearms possessed during their occasion, act out of a twisted desire
For one thing, the sorts of criminals criminal acts from family members, for notoriety or a sadistic impulse to
committing the vast majority of violent criminal associates, the black market inflict large-scale suffering and with
crimes in the United States—most or by stealing them. no expectation of getting away with
Photo by Associated Press/Bill Clark
of whom are legally prohibited from Another way prohibited criminals it. Both a 2018 report by the FBI and
firearm ownership and know it— get around the background check a 2015 article by the New York Times
rarely obtain crime guns directly from system is by paying someone else who recognized that in the vast majority of
federally licensed dealers (FFLs), who can pass the background check to buy such cases, the perpetrators obtained
already must run background checks the gun on the criminal’s behalf, an their firearms from a licensed dealer
on customers. act that is already illegal for the buyer who conducted a background check.
Studies by the U.S. Department under current federal law. If a person lacks a significant history
of Justice—including one released Then there are the perpetrators of criminal conduct or state-mandated
the day after the H.R. 8 press of high-profile mass murders who mental health treatment, a background
check can’t simply manufacture a abandon their support for universal premises of an FFL and include all the
reason to deny them. To state the obvi- background checks, arguing they usual formalities, including a back-
ous, a background check looks toward need to be better implemented and ground check.
the past, not toward a person’s future enforced to really prove their worth. While there are limited exceptions,
intentions. It cannot stop someone But they also gave away the game their extreme specificity only under-
who remains under the radar while being played with H.R. 8 and similar scores the broad scope of the general
planning to end his life with a mass legislation by suggesting that even if rule.
casualty event. universal background checks themselves For example, there is no general
There is also the important ques- don’t reduce violent crime, they can at exception for persons living together
tion of how the government could least support the implementation of in the same household.
enforce a “universal” background more radical and intrusive gun control. Loans or “bona fide gifts” are
check law, given that private gun “Democrats need to think way big- allowed between “parents and their
owners (unlike FFLs) are not required ger on guns,” the Vox.com headline children” but not between adults and
to identify themselves to the U.S. urged. children who they are raising as their
government. In particular, both outlets sug- own but who are not related by blood
This has led experts, includ- gested that firearm buyers should or adoption.
ing President Obama’s own Justice have to go through a licensing Likewise, exemptions apply to
Department, to explain that universal process, while also citing research transfers between aunts and uncles
background checks are unenforceable that praised the “potential synergistic and nieces and nephews, but a person
without a comprehensive national effects” of simultaneously unleashing who loaned a gun to a cousin would
registry of firearms. and implementing a raft of interna- be committing a federal crime.
Indeed, the ink had hardly dried on tional-style gun controls “within a The rule is so broad, in fact, that
H.R. 8 before reliably anti-gun media narrow time window.” it could interfere with transfers that
outlets were grudgingly acknowledg- Translation: Universal background even gun control advocates might
ing that there is virtually no evidence checks, while inconsequential to public consider desirable.
that universal background checks safety, are a necessary piece of an A suicidal person, for example,
reduce firearm-related homicide or overall puzzle that will transform the could not simply ask a trusted friend
violent crime. U.S. right to keep and bear arms into to take possession of his or her guns.
Vox.com, which supports increased a European-style privilege reserved for An elderly widow who wanted to
federal gun control, admitted in a wealthy elite who can afford to comply rid herself of her husband’s large gun
January 9 article that “a growing body with burdensome, bureaucratic proce- collection could not sell it to a long-
of research suggests that comprehen- dures to acquire a firearm. term neighbor who has the facilities to
sive background checks alone won’t But do law-abiding gun owners property store and secure it.
do much, if anything, to combat gun really have anything to fear from legis- An injured victim of a car accident
violence in America.” The article went lation like H.R. 8 in the meantime? could not ask an EMT or fireman to
on to cite studies by well-established Absolutely. safeguard the gun in his vehicle.
anti-gun researchers at institu- While the legislation is being All these transfers would have to
tions that in some cases have entire deceptively marketed to the public be processed by an FFL.
research departments devoted to as applying to gun sales and aimed And if there wasn’t a participat-
producing empirical support for gun at keeping guns out of the hands of ing FFL in the area, or if the parties
control, including U.C. Davis, Johns dangerous and prohibited people, it couldn’t afford whatever fees the
Hopkins and U.C. Berkeley. is actually a broadside against gun FFL decided to charge, the transfer
Even Michael Bloomberg’s own ownership in America. couldn’t happen at all.
dedicated anti-gun propaganda outfit, H.R. 8’s background check require- Similar legislation—S. 42, the
thetrace.com, admitted on January ment applies not just to sales or Background Check Expansion Act—
10 that “the real-world evidence that changes of ownership but to tempo- has been introduced in the U.S. Senate
[universal background checks] reduce rary “transfers” of possession. by staunch firearm prohibitionist Chris
crime is more complicated than the The simple act of handing a firearm Murphy (D-Conn.). His version would
political momentum might suggest.” to another person could potentially even impose felony penalties for
While The Trace strained to portray trigger penalties of up to one year in violations.
the evidence as “complicated” and prison and/or a $100,000 fine under There is, to use Nancy Pelosi’s
“all over the place,” it nevertheless this legislation. words, nothing “commonsense,”
admitted, “it’s clear that in many cases Every transfer in which the recipient’s “exciting,” “efficient,” or “effective”
the policy isn’t working as hoped.” possession did not remain “exclusively about these bills. With your help, the
Despite these concessions, Vox. … in the presence of the transferor” NRA will lead the fight to ensure they
com and The Trace aren’t ready to would have to occur on the business never become law.
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[January 1969]
American character, and those two stubbornly appealing
traits allowed an upstart rifle from an ambitious gunmaker
to compete with a pair of national treasures.
44 December 2018 american rifleman Photos by Forrest MacCormack americanrifleman.org December 2018 45
Thanks kindly for weighing in on my article about the Ruger M77 with your
correction concerning the round-top. Though I’ve never actually seen one, I did
learn about it while researching the article and probably should have mentioned
it, along with some other notable variants. In order to make the text fit our
space, however, I simply wasn’t able to include all of the rifle’s incredibly rich his-
tory. Also, we appreciate hearing about your personal experiences with Ruger 77s,
and, moreover, we are grateful for your support for NRA. In other Model 77 news,
Ruger has announced a 50th Anniversary edition, and you can read about it at
americanrifleman.org/m77anniversary.
—JOHN ZENT, EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
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C
olt had already held the manufac-
turing rights to the AR-15 rifle for
half a decade when the company
decided that, in addition to pursuing
U.S. military contracts for the gun’s fully
automatic counterpart, the M16, it could
sell an early semi-automatic version of
the design to civilians. Thus, in 1963, the
AR-15 Sporter was born, and the American
firearm marketplace would never be the
same. To learn more about the history of
the now collectible AR-15 Sporter, or SP1,
see the sidebar (p. 44) to this month’s
feature “This Is My Rifle.”
[December 1964]
T
he stagecoach holdup scene is probably the
most common and most familiar engraving to
arms enthusiasts. This one (top r.) is on Colt
cal. .31 Pocket Models of 1848, 1849, 1850 and 1853,
cal. .36 Pocket Model, and cal. .38 cartridge con-
version revolvers. A similar Stagecoach can also be
found on large-frame cal. 36 Colt Paterson revolvers
(bottom r.). [March 1969]
RIFLE OF
THE YEAR
Geissele Super Sabra Trigger Pack & the ejection port of a Steyr AUG
without the need to disassemble any
components, change bolts or swap
Lightning Bow Trigger For Tavor out the ejection port cover. Simply
insert the 1-oz. device into the ejec-
B
ullpup-configured rifles have never been tion port and expand it into place via
known for precise trigger pulls. While the two setscrews at the deflector’s rear.
IWI US Tavor SAR and X-95 rifles are not Once installed, the Deflector ejects
regarded as the worst offenders in this arena, spent cases either forward or to the
they can still benefit greatly from an after- side, allowing the shooter to fire the
market unit such as the Geissele Super Sabra AUG from either shoulder. The Case
Trigger Pack. The pack is self-contained in Deflector can be mounted on any AUG
a hard-anodized aluminum housing and that has not undergone a 9 mm Luger
features nitrided S7 tool-steel internal conversion. Price: $125. Contact:
components. Installation is drop-in easy, Corvus Defensio; corvusdefensio.com.
and the resulting total pull weight ranges
from 5 lbs., 8 ozs., to 7 lbs., 8 ozs., with a user-adjustable first stage. The com-
pany’s complementary Super Sabra Lightning Bow Trigger unit, sold separately,
is machined from 17-4 precipitation-hardened stainless steel and features a
set screw that can be adjusted to reduce slack between it and the trigger pack.
Combining the two results in a two-stage, match-grade trigger pull that com-
pares favorably with those of other high-grade, conventional rifles. Price: $350
(Super Sabra Trigger Pack); $99 (Super Sabra Lightning Bow Trigger).
Contact: Geissele Automatics; (610) 272-2060; geissele.com.
W
ith models spanning from 3.7" to 16" long, the pistol. While the new Mark IV model solved that dilemma,
Helix Series of free-floating handguards from SLR original Standard Model, Mark II and Mark III guns can
Rifleworks offers lightweight ruggedness to match now be made similarly foolproof with an inexpensive,
virtually any AR-15 build’s needs—the 7.5" version being user-installed component that remains in the pistol and
perfect for pistols or SBRs utilizing an 8" barrel. Available precludes future incorrect reassembly. The patented,
in both M-Lok- and KeyMod-compatible configurations, U.S.-made Hammer Strut Support blocks the hammer
the Helix Series features Picatinny rail along the top of strut from becoming lodged under the sear spring stop
the handguard at the receiver and the muzzle, and a pin, which lies transversely in the pistol’s grip frame. The
pair of QD sling sockets on the 3- and 9-o’clock faces. device can be installed in minutes and fits most
Price: $220. Contact: SLR Rifleworks; (855) 757-7435; Mark series pistols. Price: $15. Contact:
slrrifleworks.com. Hammer Strut Support; (256) 527-3527;
hammerstrutsupport.com.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
A
Your scope is a wonderful piece including Stevens, Malcom, Sidle quick check of online auction houses
of shooting history. While and others. Stevens was especially shows recent sales of similar Winchester
technology has rendered scopes aggressive, offering scope/mount A5 riflescopes ranging from $450 to
such as yours primitive, fragile and systems advertised for model-specific $550. Winchester’s Model 52 was intro-
crude when compared to today’s Remington, Winchester, Marlin, Savage duced in 1919, which fits within the
marvels of precision, there remains an and, of course, Stevens rifles. production range of your A5 scope.
appreciation for the efforts of early Winchester’s entry into the scope —JOHN W. TREAKLE, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
A
Questions must be in the form of letters addressed to: Dope Bag, NRA Publications, 11250 Waples Mill Road,
Nearly 1 million Model 1893 Fairfax, VA 22030-9400; must contain the member’s code line from an American Rifleman or American Hunter
Marlin lever-action rifles were mailing label or membership card; must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed, legal-size envelope;
manufactured between 1893 and and must be limited to one specific question per letter. Non-members may submit a question with a member-
ship application. We cannot answer technical or historical questions by telephone, email or fax, and we cannot
1935. It was a highly regarded repeater place even an approximate value on guns or other equipment. Please allow eight to 10 weeks for replies.
available in the popular chamberings “Questions & Answers” is compiled by staff and Contributing Editors: Bruce N. Canfield, Michael
of the day, including: .25-36 Marlin, Carrick, Garry James, Charles Pate, Charles E. Petty, John M. Taylor and John Treakle.
15 ACR
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F E A T U R I N G T H E S E C A N ’ T - M I S S E V E N T S :
RES OF
&GEAR
Two current iterations of retro-style,
20"-barreled ARs are the FN 15 Military
Collector Series M16 (below)—shown
here with a Trijicon 4X 32 mm ACOG—
and Brownells’ BRN-601 (bottom) with
its fixed carry handle, green furniture
and waffle magazine.
THIS IS MY RIFLE
The Case For The 20"-Barreled AR-15
Although the semi-automatic M4-style carbine has dominated the AR market
for many years, there is growing interest in ARs more akin to the original design.
Why? The rifle-length AR may be your best bet when it comes to ballistics,
reliability and durability.
BY JEREMIAH KNUPP, Field Editor
he world of the military M16 and, by 14.5"-barreled M4 when shooting M855 ammuni-
extension, the civilian AR-15 market, has tion. In my testing, using Federal’s XM855 ammu-
become dominated by M4-style firearms. nition, a 20" barrel recorded about a 150-f.p.s.
This means, in the broadest sense, a 14.5" advantage compared with a 16" barrel, the com-
or 16" barrel and a telescoping buttstock. The mon length for civilian carbines. For the carbine,
utility and do-all capability of the M4-style that means about a 5 percent loss in velocity. The
carbine is hard to deny, and its ubiquity makes muzzle energy difference is about 125 ft.-lbs. or
it easy to forget that the AR-15 started out as a 10 percent.
20"-barreled rifle as opposed to the more domi- For reliability and durability data we can look
nant present carbine form. But the “full-size” to tests conducted by the U.S. military, which
M16/AR-15 has both a storied history and some give an edge to the M16 over the M4. The main
distinct advantages that make re-visiting the reason lies in the gas system. The “rifle-length”
“rifle-length” AR a worthwhile journey. gas system of a 20" barrel is 5" longer than the
Most civilian shooters’ experiences with rifle- “carbine-length” gas system used on all 14.5"
length ARs are limited to heavy-barreled match and many 16" M4-style carbines. Due to the
or varmint-hunting rifles—the first being a style drop in pressure over this longer distance, the
brought to the civilian market by Colt in 1986 gas port on a rifle can be larger, which results
with its AR-15A2 “H-BAR.” While heavy barrels in a larger volume of lower-pressure gas heading
have the potential for amazing accuracy, their back to the action. The extra length of the gas
heft results in a front-heavy rifle that can tip the tube also means the velocity of the gas is slower
scales at nearly 10 lbs. In contrast, M16s and the when it reaches the bolt carrier. This means less
earliest AR-15s feature a light barrel profile (the force and heat on the working components of a
difference in weight between an M16A4 and an rifle’s action. In contrast, the shorter length of a
M4 is only 1 lb.), which yields completely differ- carbine gas system means the bolt is unlocking
ent handling and balance characteristics than an sooner, while chamber pressure is higher, which
H-BAR rifle. results in more stress on bolt lugs and extractors.
Recently, rifle-length ARs have regained While the contemporary M4-style carbines
popularity, with manufacturers including Colt, have evolved into a highly reliable platform, it
FN America, Bravo Co. USA and Palmetto State was a process that was not without its teeth-
Armory building ARs with the 20" “government- ing problems, a path marked by the necessity
profile” barrel of the M16A2. Whether your of innovations such as mid-length gas systems,
purpose is hunting, target shooting or self- extra-power extractor springs, modified feed ramps
defense, there are three distinct advantages and H (heavy) buffers. The bottom line is that, for
of the rifle-length AR over its shorter-barreled the first three decades of its existence, the M16/
siblings—ballistics, reliability and durability. AR-15 rifle, and its 5.56x45 mm NATO cartridge,
First, let’s look at the ballistics. The M16’s were developed and refined around a 20" barrel.
20" barrel has a 200-f.p.s. advantage over the Anything shorter is a compromise.
To examine the story of the 20" rifle in U.S. military ser- as the Model 601. Fewer than 15,000 601s were made by Colt
vice we can look at two current models that bookend the between 1959 and 1963. Most went to the Air Force, with
M16’s service history. The Brownells Model BRN-601 mimics the remainder used by the Army and the Navy SEALs.
the earliest M16 adopted by the U.S. military. On the other In early 2018, gun parts megastore Brownells announced
end is the FN 15 Military Collector Edition M16. With its that it would begin selling complete “retro” AR rifles. Its
flat-top receiver and Knight’s Armament rail system, the models included four AR-15s (replicas of the Colt 601,
rifle is a semi-automatic-only clone of the last M16 adopted XM16E1, M16A1 and XM177E2) that represented the variants
by the U.S. military as a general-issue infantry rifle. available during the Vietnam War, and two .308 AR-10s.
The BRN-601 is a pretty close replica of America’s first
As Gene Intended It: The Brownells Model BRN-601 issued M16, from its triangular-shaped charging handle to
The origin story of the M16/AR-15 is well-known. the open-pronged “duck bill” flash hider. The rifle’s “slabside”
Starting in the late 1950s, Eugene Stoner’s original lower receiver has no fence around the magazine release but-
7.62x51 mm NATO-chambered AR-10 was refined by ton or a housing for the pivot pin detent and spring (the 601’s
ArmaLite engineers Robert Fremont and L. James Sullivan pivot pin has a built-in detent and is not captured). There
into the AR-15 to meet the demands of the U.S. Army’s
Small Caliber, High Velocity (SCHV) project. The AR-15
design retained the 20" barrel of its AR-10 parent.
The U.S. Army would start testing the AR-15 by late
1958, but it was the Air Force that was the early adopter,
purchasing 8,500 AR-15s in 1961. The Army officially
adopted the rifle in 1963, designating it the “M16.” The new
M16 was 4" shorter and 3 lbs. lighter than the M14 then in
service. Its size was comparable to the iconic M1/M2 carbine,
then a favorite among South Vietnamese troops and U.S.
advisors in the escalating Vietnam conflict, with the M16
coming in just 2" longer and 4 ozs. heavier than the carbine.
In 1959, ArmaLite sold the manufacturing rights of the
AR-15 to Colt. The earliest Colt-production AR-15 was known
The Brownells’ BRN-601, while reminiscent of Eugene Stoner’s original concept—with its lack of
forward assist, unfenced magazine release button, and triangular shaped charging handle and
handguards—differs in other noncritical details. Older ARs, and those made in the style of the
earlier guns, have a “duck bill” flash hider with open prongs (r.).
is no forward-assist device and no trapdoor in the buttplate World War II showed that soldiers tended to fiddle with the
because the early “maintenance-free” M16 wasn’t issued with adjustment knobs on the rear sight of their M1 rifles during
a cleaning kit. Brownells even supplies the rifles with an lulls in combat, leading to a loss of zero. ArmaLite’s compro-
early-style “waffle”-pattern 20-round magazine. mise was a sight that could be adjusted, but not easily.
For the black-rifle purist, there are a few quibbling points. The 601 also notably lacks a forward assist. Soon after it
The selector and rear takedown pin lack the proper “divots,” adopted the M16, the Army saw the need for a bolt-closing
and the ejection-port cover, magazine release and bolt release device, as the rifle’s nonreciprocating charging handle
are of a later style, as are the rear sight directional arrows, can only be used to pull the bolt to the rear. The XM16E1
which are molded into the carry handle instead of on the added a forward-assist device on the right rear of the upper
sight wheel. The original 601 barrel has a 1:14" twist, whereas receiver, and the design was standardized in 1967 as the
the Brownells rifle has a 1:12" twist. And the BRN-601’s green M16A1. Stoner was clear in his belief that the forward
polymer furniture doesn’t quite match the green-paint-over- assist had no place on the AR-15 design.
brown-fiberglass look of the original 601. “The rationale was if the weapon was dirty enough or
Still, the result is very close to Eugene Stoner’s original has sand or dirt or mud or something in it and doesn’t
design concept. Stoner explained many of these elements in close, the first immediate reaction should be to open
his interviews with firearm expert Edward Ezell in the late the bolt and try to find out the cause of it, and not beat
1980s. The 601’s “A1”-style aperture rear sight is adjust- it shut and then find out you’ve got a disaster on your
able for windage only. The front post adjusts for elevation. hands,” Stoner pointed out to Ezell.
According to Stoner, the military had originally requested a But by then, the rifle’s design was long out of Stoner’s
fixed, nonadjustable sight on the rifle. Their experience in hands. The Colt 601 had launched the M16’s career with
T
he history of the civilian AR-15 hunting partner” that was ready lapsible stock of the XM177 carbine.
closely parallels its military coun- for “adventure” and perfect for the The SP1 also introduced the AR-15 to
terpart. In 1959, Colt bought the “hunter, camper or collector.” the American law enforcement mar-
manufacturing rights to ArmaLite’s Early SP1s closely mimicked the ket. “Arm your men with confidence”
AR-15 and continued to refine the Colt 601 version of the M16, with a instructed a Colt law enforcement ad,
rifle. The design was soon adopted three-prong “duckbill” flash hider, which features a tie-wearing, revolver-
by the U.S. military as the M16 in solid stock, fenceless “slabside” lower carrying trooper holding an SP1 in an
1963. At the same time, Colt started receiver and upper receiver sans early thumb-over-bore assault position.
manufacturing a semi-automatic-only, forward assist. The rifle was modified The ad called the rifle “Colt’s answer to
civilian version of the M16. It called to have a special large-diameter pivot the law enforcement agencies’ demands
it the “AR-15 Sporter,” also known as pin that screwed together (the slabside for a semi-automatic version of the M16
the “SP1” (p. 28). lower lacked a housing for the pivot automatic rifle purchased by the United
When introduced, the SP1 retailed pin detent and spring) that prevented States Armed Forces.” The SP1 replaced
for $189.50 (at the time the U.S. the SP1 components from having com- pump shotguns and M1 carbines in law
military was paying $125 for its M16s patibility with M16 upper and lower enforcement armories around the coun-
in bulk). American shooters now had receivers. This design feature would try. It answered the need for a modern
their own version of “the black rifle.” define Colt AR-15s into the early 1990s. rifle as police departments were devel-
For 20 years, the SP1 would be the By the early 1970s, the SP1 got oping their first tactical teams and the
only AR-15 in the civilian world. Colt some of the upgrades of the M16A1, SP1 dominated the hat-on-backwards,
marketed the rifle as a do-all firearm, including a chrome-lined barrel, jumping-out-of-a-bread-truck SWAT
in the same way it had sold the design bird-cage flash hider and hollow team era.
to the U.S. military. One of the earli- buttstock with trapdoor, but it was In 1977, Stoner’s patents expired
est Colt ads called the SP1 “the superb never given the A1’s forward assist. In and other companies started making
After the Vietnam War, the U.S. military never stopped tinkering with the M16 Item #17 UC3092
design. By the early 1980s, the Marine Corps was experimenting with an updated BUY NOW AT
M16, called the M16A1E1. Among the rifle’s improvements were re-designed
furniture, with a round handguard and a 5/8" longer buttstock, and, much to
Stoner’s chagrin, a fully adjustable rear sight with click-adjustment knobs. Stoner Officially Licensed
grumbled to Ezell that the update was “arbitrarily” heavier and “more of a target
rifle than a combat rifle.”
The E1’s barrel, while thin under the handguard like the original M16, was
thicker from the front sight base to the muzzle. The rifling was a faster 1:7" twist
to utilize the newly adopted 62-gr. M855 ammunition. The E1’s most infamous new
feature was its three-round burst mechanism, which was meant to help servicemen
fire shorter, more accurate, bursts; there was no provision for fully automatic fire. In
1983, the Marine Corps adopted the M16A1E1 as the M16A2, followed by the Army
three years later.
continued on p. 70
AR-15-style components and rifles. lacking both flash hiders and bayonet
Colt now had competition. As the lugs, would carry the brand through
U.S. military modernized its M16 the next decade.
with the introduction of the M16A2, All the while, used SP1s could be
Colt updated its Sporters. Production had at a reasonable price. They were
of the SP1 ended in 1985. In 1984, old-school in a time of tactical “won-
Colt had introduced its AR-15A2 derguns,” when most shooters wanted
“Sporter II” line. Curiously, early the latest and greatest innovations
AR-15A2s used the barrel profile and in AR-15 design. The SP1 was one of
furniture of the M16A2 combined the only choices for those looking for
with the SP1’s slabside lower receiver a vintage-style rifle and who didn’t
and an A1-style upper receiver with want to spend the time scouring gun-
no forward assist. shows for the surplus parts needed to
It was a trend that would mark build a period-correct example. Then
Colt’s civilian AR-15s into the mid- came the AR boom. First it was mid-
1990s. Rifles would be a mix of SP1, lengths, then SPRs, on to AR pistols
A1 and A2 features, often changing and .300 Blackout, and finally … retro
during a model’s production run. Many rifles. The SP1, the original retro, was
AR-15A2-era Colts still used an SP1- once again relevant.
style slabside lower. Upper receivers In the modern AR-15 market more Ex clu siv e
were a mishmash of no-forward assist, AR-style rifles are probably built in a Of fe r!
A1 or A2 forward assist configurations
that sometimes had a case deflector
and sometimes didn’t. Rear sights
month than the total number of SP1s
in existence. During the rifle’s produc-
tion history, parts and features were
$
19 99
plus free
Each
RE-INVENTING T
K6S DEEP COVER
KIMBER K6s
Introduced in 2016, Kimber’s K6s revolvers were initially in short supply. Now, production is humming,
and new models of the wheelgun include the K6s Deep Cover and the K6s Stainless 3".
ntil recently, Kimber specialized in high-end sport- snubbies. Good quantities of the former still sell well, and
ing and tactical rifles, pocket pistols and seemingly the latter are as popular as they ever were.
endless variations of the beloved M1911 .45 service Kimber chose to develop and market a compact, short-
pistol. With those observations, we can examine a barreled revolver because it has a good chance of commercial
firearm introduced not as a follow-on to any success. Intended for the ever-growing concealed carry mar-
previous platform, but a traditional gun made for ket, the K6s is a type of revolver that has been produced in
the first time by Kimber. Called the K6s, it is a six- America since just after the Civil War. Many companies made
shot .357 Mag. revolver. That’s right, a revolver. revolvers of this class, which has long been identified as the
The demise of the revolver has been loudly proclaimed so-called “hammerless.” As with other such wheelguns, the
at gun store counters across the land, but perhaps that has K6s actually does have a hammer—it is internal, completely
been exaggerated. Undeniably, sales of the American-familiar enclosed and so cannot be manually cocked. The mechanism
wheelgun have tapered off significantly. No longer do the is double-action-only, where trigger pressure turns the cyl-
majority of the nation’s police officers go to work with them. inder and cocks the hammer, then fires the gun. It is a very
Although still viable, the medium-size service revolvers— simple system, and simplicity is often best in a defensive
Ruger GP100s, K- and L-frame Smith & Wessons and I-frame arm. There is a further advantage in the sense that an inter-
Colts—no longer compete for the implied endorsement nal hammer has no cocking spur to snag on clothing or gear.
of law enforcement use. This leaves the large and power- In addition, such a small, defensive gun can be maneuvered
ful sportsman’s revolvers, as well as the small, concealable in and out of pocket or purse with great efficiency.
.357 MAGNUM
2.125"
4.46"
50 MARCH 2019 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN U.S. Marine Corps photo colorized by Paul Reynolds
The “Almost Perfect”?
G.I. Thompson
⁄
In World War II
Although the U.S. Army was slow to adopt the iconic gun, the Marines had been using them since
the 1920s, and the Thompson became an important tool in defending freedom.
BY BRUCE N. CANFIELD, Field Editor
ne of the most iconic American firearms is the In 1920, Thompson’s company, Auto-Ordnance Corp.,
Thompson submachine gun. A staple of the Hollywood had a prototype ready, but the firm had no mass-production
gangster movies in the 1930s, it is instantly recogniz- facilities. An agreement was reached with the Colt Patent
able to many people who otherwise know little about fire- Firearms Mfg. Co. to manufacture 15,000 Thompson subma-
arms. Nonetheless, the notoriety it garnered in the “Roaring chine guns for Auto-Ordnance. The new gun, designated the
Twenties” is only a small part of the Thompson story. The gun’s Model of 1921, was introduced in 1921.
enduring legacy was earned in World War II, during which it Naturally, Auto-Ordnance was seeking to have its unique
proved to be a vital part of America’s small arms arsenal. new arm adopted by the U.S. military, but the timing
The first practical submachine gun, the German MP 18.1, couldn’t have been worse for Thompson and his organiza-
was fielded during World War I. An American Army officer, tion. The American military had large inventories of rifles,
Col. John T. Thompson (later a general), had foreseen the automatic rifles, shotguns and machine guns after the end
value of an arm with somewhat similar attributes—even of World War I, and the U.S. Ordnance Dept. had no interest
before the MP 18.1 arrived on the scene. Thompson formed in another infantry arm.
a commercial entity to develop and market such a gun, but Spurned by the U.S. government, Auto-Ordnance sought
the war ended before a prototype could be completed. to market the Thompson to civilians, but a lack of demand
resulted in few sales, due primarily to its price of $200 Colt-made Thompsons, and Auto-Ordnance was in dire
(almost $3,000 in 2019 inflation-adjusted figures) and financial straits, resulting in the sale of the company
its limited appeal to hunters and sportsmen. Thus, the to a group headed by Russell Maguire. Maguire’s timing
bulk of the 15,000 Colt-made Thompson submachine guns was excellent as, less than a year later, war erupted in
languished in the warehouse with only a relatively small Europe. Since the remaining inventory of the Colt-made
number trickling out periodically. Thompsons was dwindling, it was apparent the supply
Although the American military had little interest in would not last long when allied nations came calling for
the Thompson, the U.S. Postmaster General purchased 200 guns from the United States. Since Auto-Ordnance still
to arm Marines posted to duty in 1926 to counter a rash of had no production facilities, Maguire made arrangements
violent armed mail robberies. The Marines soon quelled the with the well-established firm of Savage Arms Corp. of
robberies, but they held on to the “Post Office” Thompsons. Utica, N.Y., to manufacture Model 1928 Thompsons.
They took their Thompsons along to various hotspots As Great Britain and other countries began placing
around the globe in the late 1920s and early 1930s, includ- orders for arms, Savage was inundated with requests for
ing Nicaragua and China, where they proved to be very Thompsons. In order to supplement Savage’s production,
effective. In 1928, the Navy Bureau of Ordnance made a Auto-Ordnance acquired what was formerly a brake shoe
few changes to the existing Colt Model 1921 Thompsons plant in Bridgeport, Conn., to manufacture Thompsons.
acquired by the Marines, including the reduction of the Thus, just before America’s entrance into World War II,
rate of fire and the addition of a compensator on the barrel there were two companies, Savage and Auto-Ordnance,
to improve controllability. The modified guns were marked engaged in production of the Model 1928 Thompsons. This
“U.S. Navy / Model of 1928.” would soon prove fortuitous for the U.S. military.
Despite its successful use by the Marines, the Army was In 1928, the Thompson was considered by the U.S.
not interested in the Thompson as an infantry arm but Army to be “unnecessary and undesirable,” but by 1941
thought it might have some application for cavalry use. the perception did an abrupt about-face. On the eve of
The Thompson was tested at Ft. Riley, Kan., in February America’s entry into World War II, the Army standardized
1928, but the test results concluded: “[It is] an undesirable the “Thompson Submachine Gun, Caliber .45, M1928A1,”
weapon, effective only at short range, is unnecessary and and plans were being made for large-scale procurement of
undesirable for the cavalry. Recommendations: The Board the guns.
recommends that the Thompson Submachine Gun not be When the United States became actively involved in
adopted for cavalry service.” the war after Pearl Harbor, the demand for all manner of
By late 1938, there were still some 4,700 unsold arms, including submachine guns, increased dramatically.
for the M1928A1: the 50-round rotary drum and the 20-round box magazine.
BARRELED ACTION
Canvas pouches were procured to carry the magazines.
M1 Thompson Submachine Gun
Auto-Ordnance and Savage Arms continued to seek ways to further simplify
the M1928A1. While the stamped-metal rear peep sight and the elimination of
the barrel-cooling fins were certainly steps in the right direction, they were
little more than cosmetic changes. One item that received a hard look was the
signature feature of the Thompson’s mechanism, the Blish lock. This mechanism
was incorporated into the original design at the insistence of John Thompson,
even though key individuals on the production team at the time had doubts as
to whether it was really necessary. Twenty years later, Savage engineers came to
the same conclusion and felt that the relatively low pressures created by the .45 ACP
cartridge did not require an extremely strong locking system and that the Thompson
would function just as well with a straight blowback mechanism. The Blish lock was
eliminated, which further reduced manufacturing time and cost.
In late February 1942, a prototype of the re-designed Thompson was submit-
ted to the Ordnance Dept. The simplified gun performed very well in subsequent
testing and, on April 24, 1942, the “Submachine Gun, Caliber .45, M1” was
adopted. The following day, the Model 1928A1 Thompson was re-classified as
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“Limited Standard,” which meant that the guns already on M1A1 Thompson Submachine Gun
hand could continue in use but no more of that type would The Savage engineering team that developed the M1
be procured. The M1 Thompson had a slightly higher rate Thompson continued its efforts to further refine the gun.
of fire than the M1928A1: approximately 700-800 rounds The M1 Thompson’s bolt contained a firing pin activated
per minute. by a hammer that was released when the trigger was
Aside from the change in the design of the locking pulled. Savage devised a bolt with a projection machined
mechanism, there were a number of external differences directly on its bolt face that eliminated the need for
between the M1 and M1928A1. The actuator handle on top the hammer and related parts. This resulted in an even
of the receiver of the M1928A1 was replaced by a cocking simpler and less expensive mechanism. The revised gun
handle re-located to the right side of the M1’s receiver. The was officially adopted on Oct. 29, 1942, and designated
M1 was not fitted with the Cutts Compensator, which was as the “Thompson Submachine Gun, Caliber .45, M1A1.”
intended to aid in keeping the muzzle down when firing Externally, there were no differences between the M1 and
fully automatic. While it did help to some extent, it wasn’t M1A1 except for the markings on the receiver.
judged to be of sufficient utility to warrant the expense. Neither the M1 nor M1A1 models had the provision for
Other subsequent changes included the use of simple “pin- attachment of the 50-round drum magazine. In order to
type” selector and safety levers to replace the previously provide a magazine with a greater capacity than 20 rounds,
milled components, which required more machining. Also, a 30-round box magazine was developed that could be used
the M1 had a fixed buttstock rather than the removable with all three Thompson models. The 30-round magazine
type as found on the M1928A1. was identical to the 20 except for the increased length.
These changes resulted in a significant decrease in the It has been stated that the drum magazine was only
cost of the M1 model as compared to the M1928A1. On used early in the war and was dropped from use as the war
Feb. 24, 1942, Savage contracted with the Ordnance Dept. progressed, as the drum was expensive, heavy and tended
to manufacture the new model at a cost of $36.47 per gun. to rattle. While it did have all of these negative attributes,
Auto-Ordnance’s contract price for the M1 Thompson was it also possessed the undeniable advantage of providing
$42.94 each. an impressive amount of firepower. World War II-vintage
photographs refute the assertion that the 50-round maga-
zine was dropped from field use later in the war. A number
of images show drum-equipped M1928A1 Thompsons still
being employed at least as late as June 1945 during the
Battle of Okinawa.
World War II Thompson Use
The Thompson’s first substantial American use in combat
was during the invasion of Guadalcanal in August 1942 when
M1928A1s, along with a number of Reising submachine
guns, accompanied the Marines to the Solomon Islands.
As was the case with all infantry arms, some of the
fighting men cherished the Thompson while others didn’t
care for it. The two most common complaints regarding the
Thompson were the lack of the .45 ACP bullet’s ability to
penetrate brush and foliage (an important feature in jungle
warfare) and the gun’s weight.
The Thompson’s lack of penetration power was echoed in
an October 1943 Marine Corps report detailing the various
arms used by a Raider Battalion on New Georgia Island:
“Thompson Sub-Machine Gun, Cal. .45; Held up well on
all operations with very little maintenance. There were some
instances of jamming after a large volume of fire had been
delivered. This weapon became extremely unpopular though,
because of its poor penetrating power of trees, roots and dug-
outs, to anywhere near the degree of the .30 Cal. bullet, and
this is vital in jungle warfare. It is suggested that this weapon
This U.S. Marine—wearing “frog skin” coveralls in a 1942 photo in the squads be replaced with a .30 Cal. Automatic weapon.”
taken at an undisclosed “Jungle Training Camp”—is firing a An even more scathing critique of the Thompson was
later-model M1928A1 Thompson as evidenced by the simplified conveyed in a report from Marine Corps Col. Victor H.
“L-type” rear sight. The 1928A1 had a rate of fire of between 600 Krulak, who attended an Army Ordnance Committee Meeting
and 725 rounds per minute. on Dec. 23, 1943, and discussed his views of various arms
EVER
This Colt-made Model 1921 Thompson,
with its finned barrel, Cutts Compensator
and 50-round drum magazine, was modi-
fied for use by the U.S. Marine Corps in
1928. Note the receiver markings, includ-
ing the “1” in “Model of 1921” over-
stamped with an “8” and “U.S. Navy.”
used by Marine Corps in the Pacific Theater: “[It] is much too heavy; it is uncom-
fortable to carry and it does not function well. I know the Russians like it, but I
believe they just don’t know any better. It does not function well in the jungle. STANDARD FEATURES:
It does not stand up. That is a generality. I suppose I should expound on this a • Accommodates Over 160 Calibers
little bit. When I say, they do not stand up, they do not react well to the destruc-
tive effect of continued immersion. As you know, small arms consume quantities • Loading Rate: 500-600 Rounds/Hr.
of powder which makes a dandy paste with water and sand, and presently the • Comes With One Caliber Conversion
automatic function is destroyed.” • Interchangeable Toolhead Assembly
On the other hand, firsthand accounts of some soldiers and Marines paint
an entirely different picture of the Thompson, as it was held in high regard by • Lifetime “No-B.S.” Warranty
many of the men who used it in combat. For example, in the authoritative book • RISK FREE 30-Day Trial Period!
on U.S. Marine Corps Raiders in World War II, Our Kind Of War, the comments
regarding the Thompson were positive: “The Thompson submachine gun was a
favorite of the Raiders, as it was rugged and reliable and fired the same readily
available ammunition as used in the M1911A1 .45 pistol.”
Another combat veteran who held the Thompson in high regard was Charlie
Feeback, who was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943 and saw combat in the
Philippines, New Guinea and Palau Island with the 24th Infantry Division.
Feeback discussed his experiences with the Thompson in the book U.S. Infantry
Weapons In Combat:
“I liked the Thompson; it was a good combat weapon. I kept a clip in the
gun and two 30-round clips in a pouch. Then I had an extra canteen cover with NOTE:
one of those little waterproof bags that I carried extra .45 ammunition in. Pictured
“A lot of the fighting we did was at close range and the Tommy gun was the here with
ideal weapon for that. Sometimes you were right on them and they’d pop up out available
of a hole at you … . The Tommy gun was great for close range; you didn’t have options.
to be a good shot. If you needed to shoot way off, we had a couple of guys with
sniper rifles and the M1s were pretty good for that too.
“[A]fter I was wounded in May 1945, I had to go back to the hospital on Leyte.
When I came back to join my outfit, they gave me one of those grease guns. I
wasn’t too happy about that … I didn’t think it compared to the Tommy gun.”
Another World War II combat veteran who was effusive in his praise for the
Thompson was Carl H. Cartledge, Jr., a member of the 501st Parachute Infantry
Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, who saw extensive combat during
the war. Cartledge wrote a lengthy positive critique regarding the Thompson in
continued on p. 76
T
he NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits will spend the day canvassing the giant Exhibit
be returning to Indianapolis after five Hall which will feature every major U.S. fire-
years with new events, performers and arm company plus many more worldwide.
activities for the family from April 25 to 28. You’ll see shooting accessories, knives, hunt-
Last year, more than 80,000 NRA mem- ing outfitters and priceless gun collections.
bers converged on Dallas, Texas, to stand With more than 600,000 square feet of exhib-
tall for cherished freedoms and connect with itor space and more than 800 exhibitors on
like-minded patriots. In Indianapolis, mem- tap, members are sure to find new products,
bers from nearby Midwestern states and gadgets and gear to whet their appetites.
across the nation will enjoy Hoosier hospital- Live shows from top country music artists
ity while they rally around the NRA banner of can be heard all weekend long at the NRA
shared values and every imaginable type of Country sound stage, located right outside
firearm, shooting and hunting interest. the exhibit floor.
The National NRA Foundation BBQ and Attendees can gather for the Women’s
Auction kicks things off Thursday evening. Leadership Forum Lunch and Auction, the
The highly anticipated affair will combine NRA-ILA Leadership Forum, and ILA Auction
great food, raffles and exciting auctions, and Dinner scheduled throughout the day on
presenting opportunities to win exclusive Friday, April 26. Second Amendment leaders
firearms, outdoor gear, unique merchandise from across the country will join NRA’s Wayne
and hunts across the globe. Limited seating LaPierre and Chris Cox to inform members
is available, so get your tickets now. on the critical battles affecting our Second
Starting Friday morning, members can Amendment rights in the coming year.
MANUFACTURER: HENRY REPEATING ARMS (DEPT. AR), 59 E. 1ST ST., BAYONNE, NJ 07002; (201) 858-4400; HENRYUSA.COM
37.5"
2.38" 2.0"
20"
14"
The sights consist of a folding semi-buckhorn rear unit (above l.) and a brass bead
front (l.). Similar to many rimfire lever-action rifle designs, the rifle loads via a
tubular magazine mounted beneath the barrel.
of creep, but for a general-purpose or Henry sent us a Picatinny receiver barrel accounted for 21 percent more
home-defense gun, it seemed to be mount that attaches to the receiver top velocity. More importantly, that extra
appropriate. with three screws. We used medium- velocity also equated to 37 percent
The Big Boy All-Weather uses a height scope rings to attach a Leupold more energy.
tubular magazine under the bar- VX-2 2-7X 28 mm Ultralight scope Henry Repeating Arms currently
rel similar to those of many rimfire with a Duplex reticle. It has precise offers the Big Boy All-Weather in
rifles. To load the rifle, start with a 1/4-m.o.a. finger-click adjustments three different handgun chamberings;
completely unloaded gun with an for windage and elevation, and seemed in addition to the .45 Colt tested here,
empty chamber and the hammer in perfect for the Big Boy All-Weather. We .44 Mag. and .357 Mag. guns are also
the down position. With the muzzle fired all groups from a seated position available. Besides the All-Weather,
pointed in a safe direction, rotate using a DOA Tactical portable shooting Henry offers other models of the Big
the inner magazine tube to disengage bench and a Caldwell rifle rest with our Boy rifle in a variety of barrel lengths,
it from the magazine tube. Pull the targets set out at 50 yds. chamberings and finishes.
inner magazine tube out until the Federal’s 225-gr. lead semi- Henry’s Big Boy All-Weather
follower (the black spring-loaded part wadcutter hollow point printed the proved to be both accurate and
at the end of the inner magazine best five-shot group, measuring just reliable during our testing. The
tube) clears the loading port of the 1.18". This load also had the small- gun is of robust design, is well-
outer magazine tube. You’ll be able est aggregate group size of 1.69" for constructed and finished to stand
to load up to 10 rounds of .45 Colt. five groups. While chronographing up to a lifetime of hard use with
Next, push the inner magazine tube the Henry Big Boy we brought along minimal care. For those looking for
back down into position, and turn it a Taylor Firearms 1873 Cattleman also a pistol-caliber long gun capable of
to lock it into place. Cycling the lever chambered in .45 Colt, with a 4¾" handling a multitude of chores, the
now chambers a round, making the barrel, for comparison. What we found Henry Big Boy All-Weather certainly
rifle ready to fire. was that the Henry’s extra 15¼" of deserves consideration.
T
here’s been a trend of late among BUL machines the Ultra’s frame with the lightweight aluminum
M1911 manufacturers to build from 7075 aluminum alloy. It fea-
9 mm Luger-chambered guns tures machine checkering on the
on alloy frames. Sport shooters have frontstrap at 30 lines per inch and a
discovered the lightweight guns to black anodized finish. In an effort to
be accurate and fast to shoot with let the shooter get as high a grip as
minimal recoil, while the familiarity possible, the frame is undercut at the
of the M1911’s operating system and juncture of the frontstrap and trigger
manual of arms has made the alloy- guard. Combined with a sweeping
framed 9 mm a popular option for stainless-steel beavertail, shooters
concealed carry use as well. can achieve a high grip, which helps
Israel’s BUL Transmark is among in controlling muzzle flip. The frame
the latest to throw its hat into the
ring with the Ultra pistol. Built on an
alloy frame and with a 3.25" barrel,
the Officer’s-size gun has a capac-
ity of eight 9 mm rounds and comes
with two magazines. Imported by
International Firearm Corp., the BUL
Ultra possesses many of the features
savvy shooters ask for at a surpris-
ingly affordable price.
The scope’s parallax can be adjusted, via a side focus knob, from 75 yds. to infinity.
MANUFACTURER: LEUPOLD & STEVENS, INC. (DEPT. AR), 14400 N.W. GREENBRIER PARKWAY, BEAVERTON, OR 97006;
(800) 538-7653; LEUPOLD.COM
15.67"
35 MM 56 MM
A mechanical indicator built into the scope’s elevation-adjustment turret (inset) provides
TMR both tactile and visual feedback as to how many revolutions the knob has been turned.
With a confirmed zero, we then H-59 and Tremor 3 reticles are also especially in the competitive realm.
“shot the square” by firing a shot and available. The TMR uses hash marks to This is not a budget-priced scope,
then dialing either one mil of elevation denote windage and elevation holds— and its price tag makes it ineligible
or windage before firing a subsequent these marks occur at 0.5-mil intervals for use in the Production Division of
shot and repeating that step in a for the first four mils and then transi- the Precision Rifle Series, but it is
clockwise direction. This ensures that tion to 0.2-mil spacing. Because it’s a considerably less expensive than the
the scope’s internals tracked accurately first-focal-plane reticle, the gradua- two most popular precision scopes on
and repeatably. If everything goes as tions are calibrated correctly regard- the market, so everything is relative.
planned, the bullet holes on the target less of the magnification setting. The Mark 5HD is designed, machined
form the corners of a perfect box The generous eye box, long eye and assembled in the United States.
shape. This scope passed that test, so relief, positive adjustments and The Mark 5HD 5-25X 56 mm is
we progressed to an elevation chal- intuitive controls made this a very Leupold’s answer to the premium,
lenge that would simulate a long-range easy scope to master. Clarity was long-range precision optics craze, and
shot: we hung a perfectly level target excellent, thanks to the quality of it follows the Oregon maker’s tradi-
downrange, calibrated with two dots the lenses and their coatings. While tion of being lighter and sleeker than
separated by four mils of elevation. optical quality usually ranks below the competition. This is a serious
A shot was taken at the lower target, the precision of the adjustments in scope for true long-range applica-
and then the elevation was dialed into priority when it comes to long-range tions, and, according to our testing,
the scope to ensure that the point of shooting, the ability to spot hits and it meets the stringent criteria that
impact not only moved the correct misses downrange is a key attribute, those users demand.
distance but also that it tracked in a
perfectly vertical plane. The Leupold The American Rifleman has used the phrase “Dope Bag” since at least 1921, when Col. Townsend
passed this test as well. The scope Whelen first titled his column with it. Even then, it had been in use for years, referring to a sack used
by target shooters to hold ammunition and accessories on the firing line. “Sight dope” also was a
consistently returned to a precise zero, traditional marksman’s term for sight-adjustment information, while judging wind speed and direction
no matter what adjustments were was called “doping the wind.”
made—a trait that is not as common
WARNING: Technical data and information contained herein are intended to provide information based
as one might assume. on the limited experience of individuals under specific conditions and circumstances. They do not detail
Our test model came equipped with the comprehensive training procedures, techniques and safety precautions absolutely necessary to
properly carry on similar activity. Read the notice and disclaimer on the contents page. Always consult
Leupold’s TMR reticle, mounted in the comprehensive reference manuals and bulletins for details of proper training requirements, procedures,
scope’s front focal plane; the CCH, techniques and safety precautions before attempting any similar activity.
LATEST
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T
reating nice people like criminals isn’t and several local police departments. In
A
ing song, there would be no big radio hit,
nti-gun organizations want you to believe that the next new anti-gun no national tour and no adoring fans. NRA
law will be the game-changer. Whenever gun control fails – and it Country’s current Featured Artist, Houston
always does – the answer is that the effort didn’t go far enough. Phillips, is one of the hottest new songwrit-
Chicago experienced fewer homicides and shootings in 2018 than in ers, working behind the scenes on Nashville’s
2017, marking the second consecutive decrease. The city has long been famed Music Row writing songs that will spark
held up as proof that gun control doesn’t work. Do two years of declining an emotion when you hear it on the radio.
murder rates indicate that gun control has finally worked? NRA Country’s Vanessa Shahidi sat down with
According to an interview in the anti-gun “news” outlet The Trace, the Phillips to ask him about the intersection of his
answer is no. The Trace interviewed a research director from the Chicago two passions – music and the great outdoors.
Crime Lab. As the research director acknowledged, crime is “very, very
localized, even to certain blocks in certain neighborhoods.” Chicago’s VS: You’ve written songs for Jason Aldean,
recent strategy was to change the policing and management practices Tyler Farr, Jerrod Niemann and Colt Ford,
in its police districts. Twenty of the 22 police districts are now home to among others. How does your love for the
Strategic Decision Support Centers, which put crime analysts and police outdoors impact your songwriting?
officers in the same room to address problems close to the source. HP: Coming up with the idea for a song can
New Orleans is another 2018 success story, having reached a 47-year be the hardest part as a writer. Some of my
low in the number of homicides. There were also about 28 percent fewer best songwriting ideas have come from being
non-fatal shootings than in 2017. New Orleans hasn’t enacted any so- out in the woods hunting with no one else
called “gun control” measures. The city owes this success to police work. around. If I didn’t have that, I’m not sure I
From The New Orleans Advocate: could do what I do for a living.
“New Orleans Police Superintendent Michael Harrison has said none of
that is by accident. He said he tasked a specialized team of tactical officers VS: Have you had any memorable outdoor
and detectives with removing repeat violent offenders from the streets experiences with other artists?
over the past two years, no matter how long the cases took to build, and HP: Oh yeah. Tyler Farr and I have been
they’ve delivered results.” friends a long time and we do a lot of hunting
Chicago and New Orleans show that solid police work makes a differ- and fishing. We’ve hunted turkey in northern
ence. Community-based efforts, like Operation Ceasefire and others like California, fly fished in Utah, sword fished off
it, operate as partnerships between law enforcement and community lead- the coast of Miami and hunted a lot of white-
ers. These programs work to alleviate violence by focusing on those likely tail deer at his house in Tennessee.
to engage in it in the neighborhoods most prone to violence, working to
defuse conflict and building a culture that rejects violence. VS: What is your favorite personal firearm?
Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York recently announced the state will HP: My papaw handed down a Browning A5
spend more than $3.1 million funding a street outreach program to “curb gun humpback 12 gauge that is my favorite gun
violence and save lives by intervening in the aftermath of shootings to prevent I’ve ever owned. Love that thing.
retaliation, working with high-risk youth to connect them to services and pro-
grams, and other community engagement initiatives.” From National Network NRA Country is a lifestyle and a bond between
for Safe Communities Director David Kennedy’s quote in the press release: the country music community and hard-working
“The developing science of violence prevention shows very clearly that Americans everywhere. It’s powered by pride,
focused attention to the very small number of high-risk groups and indi- freedom, love of country, respect for the military,
viduals at high risk for serious violence can be very effective.” and the responsibilities of protecting the great
The common thread between the heads-up police work in Chicago and American life. Visit nracountry.com and
New Orleans and the community-intervention models in New York and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
elsewhere is that they are law enforcement solutions focused on criminals, For more information on Houston Phillips, check
not on law-abiding gun owners. out MV2Entertainment.com.
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MAR. 15-17 INDIANAPOLIS, IN NRA Headquarters: (703) 267-1000 • INTERNET ADDRESS: nra.org
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MAR. 16-17 KANKAKEE, IL NRA AFFILIATED CLUBS (800) NRA-CLUB
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MAR. 16-17 BIRCH RUN, MI NRA Travel Center NRA.HotelPlanner.com
NRA MUSEUMS/
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Grassroots/Legislative Hotline (800) 392-8683 MEDIA RELATIONS (703) 267-1595
MAR. 16-17 OWENSBORO, KY The “NRA Regional Report,” a service for NRA members, appears in every issue of American Rifleman, American Hunter,
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MAR. 9-10 CHEEKTOWAGA, NY
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Hudson Promotions (914) 248-1000 Ohio Expo Center & State SMALLBORE
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(304) 575-6865 MEMBER INFORMATION & BENEFITS
MAR. 16-17 TIMONIUM, MD MEMBERSHIP ACCOUNT INFORMATION: (877) 672-2000
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MAR. 16-17 HAMPTON, VA NRA INSTRUCTOR/
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(585) 343-7620 Grassroots/Legislative Hotline (800) 392-8683 MEDIA RELATIONS (703) 267-1595
MAR. 16-17 MONTPELIER, OH The “NRA Regional Report,” a service for NRA members, appears in every issue of American Rifleman, American Hunter,
Shooting Illustrated and America’s 1st Freedom. The Regional Report is an up-to-date listing of NRA conducted and/or
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AREA SHOOTS
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MAR. 9-10 JACKSON, MS MAR. 23-24 ORLANDO, FL
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MAR. 9-10 RALEIGH, NC
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MAR. 23-24 FORT MYERS, FL F or more information, send an email to
Shelly Kramer at mkramer@nrahq.org
or call (703) 267-1459. For a complete
North Carolina State Fairgrounds, Araba Shrine Temple, Fort Myers
C&E Gun Shows (540) 953-0016 Antique Arms Collectors listing, see ssusa.org/coming-events.
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Gun & Knife Shows (865) 671-4757 MEMBERSHIP ACCOUNT INFORMATION: (877) 672-2000
NRA Headquarters: (703) 267-1000 • INTERNET ADDRESS: nra.org
MAR. 16-17 LAUREL, MS
Laurel Fairgrounds, Big Pop Gun MEMBER SERVICE (800) 672-3888 OFFICE OF ADVANCEMENT/
GIFT PLANNING (877) NRA-GIVE
Shows (601) 498-4235 NRASTORE.COM (888) 607-6007 THE NRA FOUNDATION (800) 423-6894
NRA INSTRUCTOR/
MAR. 16-17 HICKORY, NC COACH FIREARM TRAINING (703) 267-1500
5-STAR MEMBER BENEFITS
Hickory Metro Convention Center, EDDIE EAGLE GUNSAFE PROGRAM (800) 231-0752
C&E Gun Shows (540) 953-0016 NRA Wine Club (800) 331-9754 REFUSE TO BE A VICTIM (800) 861-1166
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MAR. 16-17 JACKSONVILLE, NC ManageYOURiD (888) 759-7866
NRA AFFILIATED CLUBS (800) NRA-CLUB
American Legion Building, S&D Gun Medical Concierge Network (800) 351-6094 RANGE SERVICES (877) 672-7264
COMPETITIVE SHOOTING (877) 672-6282
and Knife Shows (252) 745-5647 Global Rescue (800) 381-9754 LAW ENFORCEMENT (703) 267-1640
MAR. 16-17 COLUMBIA, SC FRIENDS OF NRA (703) 267-1342
NRA Travel Center NRA.HotelPlanner.com
NRA MUSEUMS/
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Mike Kent Shows (770) 630-7296 INSTITUTE FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION SHOWS & EXHIBITS (866) 343-1805
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MAR. 16-17 KINGSPORT, TN
The “NRA Regional Report,” a service for NRA members, appears in every issue of American Rifleman, American Hunter,
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THE 20" AR
continued from p. 45
By the 1990s, the use of optical sights was becoming more have many of the features of the A2 rifle. Colt started devel-
prevalent on U.S. service arms. While such sights could be oping the XM4. It was adopted in 1994 as the “Carbine, M4.”
mounted to the M16’s carry handle, a lower mount closer to the The M16 and its 20" barrel began to show its limita-
bore is optimal. To better utilize optics, the M16 family’s fixed tions in the military actions that followed the 9/11 attacks.
carry handle was replaced by a removable handle that, when Troops increasingly wore body armor, and the M16A4’s fixed
taken off, revealed a “flat-top” receiver with a Mil-Standard stock could make the rifle’s length of pull too long. The
1913 Picatinny rail. The modified M16A2 became the M16A4 M16’s overall length made the rifle unwieldy when traveling
(the M16A3 was a flat-top receiver A2 with full-automatic capa- in Humvees and MRAPs and for combat operations in con-
bility). In July 1997, the A4 was officially adopted by the Army, fined urban spaces. By the early 2000s, the Army was replac-
followed by the Marines in 2002. ing its M16 rifles with the M4 carbine for frontline service.
While the M16 continued to be refined to meet the The proud riflemen of the Marine Corps held out the longest.
needs of the modern battlefield, the seeds of the demise of It wasn’t until 2015 that they announced they would replace
the 20"-barreled rifle had been sown during the Vietnam their M16s with M4s. While the U.S. still fields the M16, the
War. Immediately after the M16 was adopted, there was a M4 has become the new king of the battlefield.
demand for a shorter carbine version. After experimenting FN America celebrates the company’s role as a supplier of
with several designs, the XM177E1 was introduced in late firearms to the U.S. armed forces with its Military Collector
1967 with a 10" barrel capped with a 4.5" “moderator” and series, which offers M4-, M249- and M16-style rifles. For
a stock that telescoped along the carbine’s receiver exten- the Military Collector M16, FN takes its standard FN 15 20"
sion for a package that weighed slightly more than 5 lbs. rifle (now discontinued) and adds a Knight’s Armament M5
and collapsed down to 28" (February 2019, p. 44). Rail Adapter System (RAS). The RAS, a two-piece, non-free-
Colt’s M16 carbine program continued after the Vietnam floating design with four full-length M1913 rails, allows the
War and resulted in the Model 653, an A1-style carbine that bottom rail section to be removed so that a grenade launcher
used a 14.5" barrel, which gave it the same overall length can be attached. The Military Collector edition also substi-
as the XM177E1 with its moderator. After the adoption of tutes the military-issued MaTech folding back-up iron sight
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THE 20" AR
continued from p. 71
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between it and the sideplate to lock into recesses cut into a standard ballistician’s formula. It is roughly two-and-a-
the cylinder between chambers. half times the blow—188 ft.-lbs. of energy for the .38 is
Kimber did a great job with this gun, as the action is nowhere close to 470 for the .357 Mag.
very good. The trigger weight seems a bit lighter than most Recoil with .357 Mag. ammunition out of the K6s is
current-production revolvers, being just over 10 lbs. Dry- severe but still manageable—after all, the gun weighs only
firing the gun builds an appreciation for the mechanical 23 ozs. I found it to be notably stout. Part of reason is in
design and its execution. the way the gun is shaped and the way it moves in the
As a revolver intended for close defensive roles, the hand when fired. I freely concede that this is a subjective
Kimber K6s is unlikely to see much shooting at distance. impression, and other handgunners may not see it the
For this reason, we did the standard shooting proto- same way.
col of five consecutive, five-shot groups at 7 yds., fired My local gun shop tells me that the Kimber K6s is
from benched sandbags. Although the K6s is a .357 Mag. hard to keep in stock, so it has achieved some degree
revolver capable of handling any load in that chambering, of popularity. I’ve heard some criticism of the gun on
many defensive shooters will shoot .38 Spl. For that reason, the grounds that it is ugly or ungainly. Others think it
our ammunition list was two kinds of .38 Spl. and one is a beauty. Certainly the K6s profile is unusual, hav-
.357 Mag. Accuracy with all three kinds of ammunition ing a straight line running from the top rear corner of
averaged well under the 2" mark. In view of the short bar- the frame all the way down to the backstrap. When you
rel, instant recoil and minuscule sight radius, I’m pleased consider that this is a tool for the saving of its owner’s
with that. It’s all tabulated on p. 49, but there is also a life, aesthetics must necessarily become a secondary
very interesting statistic to be derived from the table. Note consideration. It is very well made and sturdy, decently
the velocity of a 158-gr. bullet fired from a .38 Spl., as accurate and has a trigger action that is quite good. I
compared to the velocity of the same weight bullet from have to wonder if that action might not find its way into
a .357 Mag. It is 426 f.p.s. more for the .357 Mag. Now a bigger service wheelgun someday. That would tend to
compare the energy differential, which is calculated with stir up the pot, now wouldn’t it?
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Amherst, NY14228 DIV 2037839 ON
©copyright 2000
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.
G.I. THOMPSONS
continued from p. 55
198BAA © 2019
198BAB © 2019
DR® lineup including
towable models!
DRchipper.com DRfieldbrush.com
198BCX ©2019
engines make
T
HammerStrutSupport.com transporting big
loads EASY— he .22-250 Rem. is a flat-
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A FLATBED quickly for Powered dumping available— on coyotes thumbing their
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ficient. Fired from a .22-250
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Start Your Own Business of aim at 100 yds. drops only 0.75" at
For more information go to:
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To purchase fireworks: 812A Ohio River Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15202 XBR propellant provides steady velocity
*Personal Use – Retail: use NRA10 for 10% off at checkout
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BULLET: SIERRA 55-GR.
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PROPELLANT/CHARGE:
BURN SAFELY IMR 8208 XBR/35.5 GRS.
PRIMER: REMINGTON 9½
with the Stainless Steel
CASE: WINCHESTER
BurnCage ™
CASE TRIM-TO LENGTH: 1.902"
PERFECT FOR: Now In CARTRIDGE OVERALL LENGTH: 2.45"
3 Sizes!
• Sensitive financial VELOCITY @ 10' (F.P.S.): 3762
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198BBA © 2019
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AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG MARCH 2019 79
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