By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

At long last my newly suppressed Ruger American rifle in .450 Bushmaster had shown good promise in the initial testing for accuracy.  The chosen ammunition had produced a more-than-respectable test group with the new muffler, but it still needed to be sighted in at 100 yards.  Since this same ammo had been tested for integrity and accuracy in seasons past, all that was remaining was to adjust the zero.  That was a week ago, but things are different now.

I’ve been meaning to separate the barreled-action from the cheap factory, synthetic stock.  Although it was not technically “broken” there was no better time to fix rather sharp edges paralleling the barrel the entire length of the forearm.  With the stock in a suitable vise it was shaved and sanded.  Ah, that’s better.

However utilitarian, though, that stock was still plain ugly and thoughts turned to a cosmetic upgrade.  With some hydrodipping on the menu, I returned from the local Cheap Mart with four cans of quality Rust-Oleum 2X spray:  green, brown, copper metallic and clear.  The simple process involved filling a plastic-sheet-lined wheelbarrow with water then spraying the surface in educated randomness and dipping the boring stock through the controlled concoction.

However, when I hung it to dry, bubbles formed in my Picasso and the paint had runs – possibly from too much paint in the mix.  With nothing to lose, I impatiently began sanding, as soon as it was dry enough.  After finishing with ooo steel wool, it was saved and will only need clear coats to become a one-off original.

Never settling for “good enough”, I began sniffing around the ammo department of www.MidwayUSA.com and couldn’t believe Barnes legendary copper Triple Shock X (TSX) ammunition was available for $40 per box.  I gobbled up a couple.

My go-to ammo – Federal Fusion 260-grain ammo – is some tough stuff and beat everything offered by Hornady in my head-to-head testing for integrity.  However, it did lose some weight.

Barnes, on the other hand, is even tougher.  It is designed for rapid expansion, high weight retention, and deep penetration.  When they say “high weight retention”, how about 100 percent?  In fact, only once over many seasons, did I recover a Barnes X bullet that was not 100-percent intact – and, that was because one petal of the mushroom head had broken off.  In the vast majority of cases, however, these bullets plow through, and subsequently, are not recoverable.  I have used Barnes copper bullets for deer in several calibers and the results are always the same; their advertising and photos are genuine.

As for the common Hornady Black or Custom factory ammunition, it is as accurate as anything out there.  In fact, I’ve taken a number of whitetails with the Hornady Flex Tip ammo and all fell with single shots.  However, the more explosive nature of the bullet’s construction causes the jacket to separate from the core of the bullet at moderate to close range.

This can never happen with the Barnes X bullets, because there is no jacket; they represent the epitome of controlled expansion and penetration.

If all goes according to plan at the range, Barnes Vor-TX will get the nod for the first time this season in the big bore.  Otherwise, plan B with the Federal Fusion load is not bad at all.

BLACK CREEK, GA – Daniel Defense, manufacturer of the world’s finest firearms and accessories, today announces the release of a new line of hard-use and titanium suppressors.

Daniel SoundGuard Suppressors Powered by KGM provide multiple benefits to the user, with an emphasis on backpressure reduction. “Through years of working with multiple military/law enforcement agencies – as well as consumers – our team pinpointed specific criteria for this family of suppressors,” said Marty Daniel, President and CEO. “In addition to the obvious, sound reduction, limiting the amount of toxic gasses, reducing muzzle flash and accuracy were all critical.”

These well-balanced, reliable suppressors utilize cutting-edge gas-flow dynamics that eliminate over-gassing and direct gas forward, substantially decreasing the amount of blowback. State-of-the-art KGM technology significantly lowers impulse noise levels, and a patent-pending baffle stack and proprietary coating on internal parts reduce a firearm’s flash signature to virtually zero. Patent-pending gas-flow pathing stabilizes rounds to ensure extreme accuracy with minimal point-of-impact shift. Read more

MPA partners with Curtis Custom on New Rimfire Series Rifles and Conversion Kits

Comer, Ga. – MasterPiece Arms (MPA), manufacturer of DS Series Pistol, BA Rifles and

Chassis Systems, is proud to announce their new Rimfire Series Rifles and Conversion Kits. MPA will sell multiple different configurations including 22 Caliber Rimfire Rifles.

The Rifles will be available in both the Matrix Pro and ESR Chassis, MPA//Curtis Action, Curtis Rimfire Bolt, Custom MPA Heavy Barrel Profile, ATS Barrel Tuner and Vudoo Rimfire Magazines.

These are available now on our website at www.masterpiecearms.com Read more

“The Lost State of San Jacinto – Sam Houston” Now Shipping as SK Customs® Announces sequel in “The Lost States of America Engravers Series”

HAYMARKET, VA – October 11, 2022 – SK Customs® restored history early this year by announcing “The Lost States of America Engravers Series,” highlighting the first custom gun, “The Lost State of San Jacinto – Sam Houston.” With limited inventory available, collectors and firearm enthusiasts can now purchase this outstanding, 24k gold-engraved Colt 1911.

Following the success of “The Lost State of Jacinto – Sam Houston,” SK Customs® has revealed the sequel in the series, “The Lost State of Franklin – John Sevier.” Set to launch in 2023, the production highlights the rich history of America’s young independence. John Sevier was an American Solider, frontiersman and politician that marked history in 1784 by creating The State of Franklin, today known as part of Eastern Tennessee.

“With only a few of our custom Colt 1911’s honoring General Sam Houston remaining, those that missed the launch can now purchase directly on our website,” said Simon Khiabani, owner and founder of SK Customs. He went on to announce that “SK Customs® is releasing a sequel in 2023, ‘The Lost State of Franklin – John Sevier,’ honoring the founding father of Tennessee. Those who own the first in the series will have first rights on their matching limited-edition number on next year’s gun and subsequent launches in this production series.”

The Battle of San Jacinto took place in 1836 in present-day Harris County, Texas as one of the most important battles of the Texas Revolution. This gun tells the story of General Sam Houston leading the Texian Army against General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna’s Mexican Army in a critical victory. Read more

HENRY REPEATING ARMS
107 W Coleman Street, Rice Lake, WI 54868

Proceeds Raising $1,000,000 for Guns for Great Causes Charities

RICE LAKE, Wis. – Henry Repeating Arms, one of the country’s leading firearm manufacturers, is excited to announce a release date and time for the launch of their much-anticipated Henry Golden Boy “Silver Anniversary” Edition rifle. Starting at noon Eastern on Thursday, Oct. 13, the limited-edition rifles will be available exclusively through Henry Repeating Arms’ website while supplies last. The company is presenting all proceeds from selling these rifles to various foundations and organizations supported by the charitable branch of Henry Repeating Arms called Guns For Great Causes.

Production is limited to 1,000 units, and 100% of the proceeds from each sale will raise a total of $1,000,000 for donation to children’s hospitals, military veterans and first responders’ organizations, shooting sports, hunting heritage, and wildlife conservation advocates. Anthony Imperato, Henry Repeating Arms CEO and Founder has already begun dispersing portions of the Silver Anniversary pledge to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Shadow Warriors Project, with the entire pledge scheduled to be distributed by March 2023. Read more

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

Deer hunting a couple of years ago with a Ruger American rifle chambered in .450 Bushmaster, I noticed a deer with a limp within range.  Personal policy dictated an obligation to end the suffering of the animal, even if it didn’t meet the normal criteria to be taken.  Pow!  The 8-point buck went down instantly and so did my hearing.

I had removed my hearing protection a bit earlier, because the plastic band around my head had grown uncomfortable.  Surely, I’d remember to slip them in place, if the need arose.  Duh!  My ears are still ringing.   That dang factory muzzle break may have helped felt recoil, but the report from a single gunshot was instantly damaging.

That behemoth of a deer-getter needed a muffler. To be correct they are termed sound suppressors (not silencers) and I made the commitment to ditch the sound amplifying muzzle break.  And, so the process began to save what hearing I had remaining.

A trip to Williams Gun Sight in Davison, Michigan (800-530-9028) turned out to be a wise decision.  The folks there were friendly and helpful and walked me through the lengthy paperwork required by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).  I paid the $200 tax to save my hearing and the one-year wait commenced.

The experienced staff at Williams steered me toward a Silencerco Hybrid 46.

Silencerco Hybrid 46

Before leaving the store, however, I was required to pay for the $800 suppressor, which was to be kept by the store until my application was approved by the ATF.  A bit over a year later, I received the call of approval.

The Silencerco Hybrid 46 is the original multi-caliber, multi-firearm compatible suppressor capable of accommodating a majority of the applications expected of a truly versatile suppressor. Designed for use with pistol calibers from 9mm to .45 Auto, rifle calibers from 5.56mm to .45–70 GOV, and many in between like .458 SOCOM, the Hybrid 46 is both full auto and magnum-rated and can be used on pistols, submachine guns, and rifles.

Initial testing at my range was to determine several factors with and without the suppressor:  recoil, noise, velocity and accuracy.

Hornady’s American Whitetail ammo comprised of its Interlock bullet of 245 grains at an advertised velocity of 2200 feet-per-second (fps) was selected for my first test without the suppressor and with a factory cap on the exposed barrel threads at the muzzle.  Two rounds were fired and produced velocities of 2194 and 2203 fps.  With the Hybrid 46 in place velocities dropped about 100 fps to 2095 and 2091 fps.  I did not shoot this round for accuracy, because it is not my chosen ammunition for hunting.

My hunting ammo, Federal Fusion with 260-grain bullets, was then shot to determine if it would be accurate.  Only two rounds were fired at 75 yards and produced holes a scant 7/8 of an inch apart!  I can work with that!

Overall, I was satisfied with preliminary findings and will continue testing at various ranges before the season begins next month.  I found that the firearm’s muzzle jump was minimized along with felt recoil.  I kept hearing protection in place but the report was substantially reduced.

Adding over one pound of weight to the muzzle changes the diminutive firearm to more of a bench gun, but since it’s used exclusively as just that from my hunting blinds, having a more cumbersome package is not an issue.  Yes, the cost is steep but consider the cost of losing one’s hearing.  Saving my hearing was, and is, the issue now resolved.

From Jim Shepherd…

Earlier this week, Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor of the Massachusetts Federal District Court dismissed a lawsuit brought by the Mexican government against U.S. gunmakers.

The Mexican government brought a $10-billion lawsuit against several gunmakers, alleging they had used negligent business practices that had led to illegal arms trafficking and deaths in Mexico.

According to the claims made in the case, Mexico’s “high-impact crimes” are primarily committed using U.S. made firearms.

The basis of their claim -the appeal of those guns- isn’t all that different from the argument used by California legislators in their latest raft of gun regulations: that the marketing and manufacturing of “high-powered weapons” by the manufacturers had “appeal” to a certain potential market demographic.

California claims the impressionable youths of that state are irresistibly wooed by the marketers.

Mexico, however, claims that irresistibility is to their (many) criminal cartels.

Saylor dismissed the Mexican claim, saying U.S. law “unequivocally” prohibits lawsuits that seek to hold gun manufacturers responsible when people use their products for their intended purposes.

The foundational law Judge Saylor cites is, of course, the law that anti-gunners have been trying to get repealed since its passage on October 26, 2005: the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Firearms act.

In his ruling, Judge Saylor said the court had “considerable sympathy for the people of Mexico, and none whatsoever for those who traffic guns to Mexico.”

But, he concluded, the court was “duty-bound to follow the law.”

Mexican officials say they’ll appeal the decision and will continue insisting that the “weapons trade be responsible, transparent and with accountability.”

As you might imagine, U.S. manufacturers were less than excited at yet another lawsuit trying to make them responsible for the criminal acts of others.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation’s Larry Keane said that while he sympathized with the people of Mexico, the crime there was “not the fault of the firearms industry.”

“Under federal law,” Keane says, the firearms industry can only “sell their lawful products to Americans exercising their Second Amendment rights- after passing a background check.”

The Mexican government’s response was simple: “we don’t accept that and therefore we’re going to appeal.”

Sioux Falls, South Dakota – October 6, 2022 – Silencer Central is slated to attend TriggrCon October 7-8, 2022, in Fall River, Kansas. As America’s leading silencer dealer, Silencer Central will feature a sneak peek of a new Banish product set to launch the first of November as well as a live-fire demonstration of the entire Banish line.

“TriggrCon showcases the most innovative products in the industry, and we’re excited to present our Banish line with a special feature of a brand-new Banish product,” said Brandon Maddox, CEO of Silencer Central. “We look forward to hitting the road for this premier event and showing other professionals first-hand what this line has to offer.”

Presented by UN12, TriggrCon exhibits exclusive debuts of leading products from a variety of brands and companies. Industry professionals, media and shooting enthusiasts will gather at the Flint Oak Hunting Lodge to experience these major product launches and a look into what has made an impact on the industry this year. Read more