Ammunition made by Federal
As far as handling and ergonomics, the AR-15 and AR-10 are brilliantly designed and function the same. Some new shooters may not realize that the AR-10 7.62x51mm rifle actually came first. In fact the AR-10 .308 rifle competed with the FN FAL and M14. In the end, the rifle was downsized into the .223 caliber AR-15, which was a response to the AK-47, but that is history and we are dealing with differences in application today.
Not long ago, the conversation turned to shotguns at the gun shop. While even the folks that are not the ones we call “gunny” know the merits of a shotgun for home defense, there are many opinions on the proper load and the best shotgun. However, the shotgun is only the launcher, it is the load that does the damage.
The newest and brightest addition to the AR-15 family is a 5.56mm-diameter cartridge with more punch and long-range potential than the .223 Remington. The .224 Valkyrie is designed to remain supersonic to 1,300 yards, but design and performance are not always one in the same. The Shooter’s Log put the Valkyrie through its paces, even if we did put our thumb on the scale by using a $4,000 Wilson Combat Super Sniper.
The Beretta APX is Beretta’s entry into the polymer-frame striker-fired field, and they added a modular design for good measure. The APX is going against stiff competition. While Beretta has brand loyalty, the piece must stand on its own merit.
The Austrian ISSC M22 self-loading pistol is a fun gun that resembles the world’s most popular police pistol, the Glock. The pistol is affordable at little more than the price of a .22 conversion unit for the Glock pistol and has good features including a Lothar Walther barrel. While it looks like the double action only Glock, the ISSC-Austria M22 is a single-action pistol.
The 1911 is easily our most popular handgun, and without a doubt, the most modified. Everyone wants a good trigger, but an accomplished shooter wants a better barrel too. The right barrel, with a custom-grade fitting, ensures the pistol returns to battery in exactly the same place—time after time. After the trigger, this is likely the biggest handgun accuracy enhancer.
Smith and Wesson has earned an enviable reputation for quality revolvers well suited to personal defense. The small five-shot revolver is among its most popular handguns, with the Model 649 carrying honors as the best of Smith and Wesson’s snubbie lineup. Read the article to see whether you agree.
When it comes to rifle shooting, fast hits are what counts in hunting and personal defense scenarios. When sighting in the rifle from the benchrest, we have all of the time in the world. In the field, the action is fast and the stakes are at their highest. by taking advantage of cover and terrain, you can increase stability and accuracy.
The Pachmayr Guardian grip is among the most interesting yet and certainly the most innovative. The design is simple enough. This spring-loaded extension rocks into place and allows firing the pistol with much more comfort. A rough analogy is the difference between the flush fit and extended grip offered with compact self-loading handguns.
The primary requisite to hitting the target is being able to identify the target, acquire the target with the sights, and hit the target after getting a good sight picture and properly pressing the trigger. It is simple, but it isn’t easy. Crimson Trace Lasergrips go a long way toward closing the accuracy gap.