Guns Magazine articles from April 2006

Guns Magazine archives from April 2006

Thanks NRA.(CROSSFIRE: LETTERS TO GUNS)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2006... As president of Millbrook Gun Club and Jr. Div. CMP No. 25184, I wish to thank the NRA Foundation for the recent grant that paid the major portion of the purchase price of two Kimber M82 Match Grade rifles from the Civilian Marksmanship...

"Robert" malady.(CROSSFIRE: LETTERS TO GUNS)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2006... In the January 2006 issue you published a letter from Robert in which he complained about the writing of Mr. Connor. It was good for a laugh. The column by John Connor is one of the first I turn to when I get my new issue each month. Mr. Connor...

Destroyer lore.(CROSSFIRE: LETTERS TO GUNS)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2006... Nice article by Holt Bodinson about Spain's Destroyer in the November issue. If I may, I'd like to add a couple of comments. The Destroyer has never been an official-issue military weapon in Spain. It was used solely by the "guarderia"...

More "Robert".(CROSSFIRE: LETTERS TO GUNS)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2006... After reading the letter from "Robert" in the January issue, I can only say I am glad that my parents raised me to an elevation higher than that of a conceited know-it-all who thinks that because some of us think differently than he does that...

Baby and me: the way it was.(RIMFIRES)
April 1, 2006... Recently perusing a rack of .22s at Murphy's Gun Shop in Tucson, Arizona, I was reminded what an excellent job the industry is doing in providing scaled-down rifles for our youths. Standing out because of their petite proportions were a Savage...

Predictions: so what do I know?(MONTANA MUSINGS)
April 1, 2006... Recently one of the major gun companies invited me to their factory for my opinion on a project they were considering. I was flattered they asked me but I'm afraid my opinion on what they had planned wasn't overly positive. I told them I knew...

Spain's Astra 400: a major caliber blowback semiauto.(SURPLUS LOCKER)
April 1, 2006... Spain's official military sidearm from 1921 to approximately 1946 was the Astra Model 1921 or, more commonly referred to by its commercial designation, the Model 400. This robust, beautifully machined, rest blued, semiautomatic was imported by...

Fireball fun: high volume shooters should choose their caliber wisely.(RIFLEMAN)
April 1, 2006... For a coyote or woodchuck hunter, 10 or 12 shots are enough to make a day memorable. But when gophers and ground squirrels are the quarry, 10 or 15 shots are nothing. Given a bit of moisture to produce grass, add their prolific...

Writ for a rat: the writ.(RANGING SHOTS)
April 1, 2006... A Writ is a written order from upon high to cease and desist an action. As an example, the original Duke states in the movie True Grit "Mr. Rat. I have a writ here that says you're to stop eating Chen Lee's cornmeal forthwith. Now it's a rat...

Stock service pistols: the most popular IDPA division.(HANDGUNS)
April 1, 2006... Stock autos are by far the most popular guns in IDPA. There are good reasons why. There are five handgun categories in IDPA. Single-action .45 autos are called Custom Defense Pistols (CDP). The same cocked-and-locked style in 9mm through .40...

10 tips to bino bliss: perhaps not bliss, but these tips will improve binocular performance.(OPTICS)
April 1, 2006... I once had occasion to ask a little neighbor boy if he knew how to use a pair of binoculars. "Sure," he answered confidently, "you look through the little end to make things big and you look through the big end to make things little." Pretty...

Berger bullets: quality where it counts.(HANDLOADER)
April 1, 2006... If you've ever even paddled around the shore of the pond inhabited by benchrest shooters you will hear the name Berger spoken with great reverence. Walt and Eunice Berger were real players in the benchrest game, won tons of stuff and,...

Remington 7615P: this rifle blends systems many shooters are familiar with--the Remington 870's and AR-15's.(OUT OF THE BOX[TM])
April 1, 2006... It comes from Remington's Law Enforcement catalog but is not restricted to LE sales. The idea is one of those incredibly simple things and you wonder why it took so long. What they have done is create a simple pump-action carbine operating...

Bushnell elites: find 'em, lase 'em, take 'em.(OUT OF THE BOX[TM])
April 1, 2006... Several years ago I found myself on a varmint hunt out of Jarbidge, Nevada, hunting with fellow writer Clair Rees and Rod Herrett of Herrett's Stocks. Four things were necessary for this episode of the greatest sixgun shot I've ever made--or...

Seconds Robert.(CROSSFIRE: LETTERS TO GUNS)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2006... I join Robert of Los Angeles in his critique of John (Hayseed) Connor. I enjoy humor, but fail to find anything humorous about this lout, nor do I agree that he "married up." I'll not join Robert and stop getting GUNS, but will continue to turn...

Had enough.(CROSSFIRE: LETTERS TO GUNS)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2006... Your answer to Robert in retaliation for his criticism of Connor's useless, uninteresting and uninformative drivel was childish and unprofessional. I don't want to be associated with people who think such a reply is cute or appropriate; people...

Thutty-thutty fan.(CROSSFIRE: LETTERS TO GUNS)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2006... I appreciate your magazine admitting the popularity of the .30-30. My first deer rifle was a Winchester 94 chambered for this wonderful cartridge. The longest shot I have ever taken is about 75 paces, and the deer dropped where it stood. Thank...

Marksmanship woes.(CROSSFIRE: LETTERS TO GUNS)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2006... I enjoy Ayoob's article in every issue, but I take exception to his high evaluation of the marksmanship of the average cop on the street. Sure, the cops overwhelmingly win over the bad guy, but it is not the result of excellent pistolmanship!...

Anti antis.(CROSSFIRE: LETTERS TO GUNS)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2006... I read about anti-gun Illinois Gov. R. Blagojevich in your "Views, News and Reviews" column (December 2005 issue), and it reminded me of what happened to me at Starved Rock State Park, Illinois, recently. An overly agitated park ranger screamed...

Neat Nambu.(QUESTIONS & ANSWERS)
April 1, 2006... Q: I have an old Japanese WWII pistol my father gave me. I was wondering what kind of value it would have. There are a few numbers on it. One is 498XX and 19.7 or 19.1 .There is some Japanese lettering as well. Bob via e-mail A:...

S&W 544.(QUESTIONS & ANSWERS)
April 1, 2006... Q: My neighbor has an S&W 544 .44-40 from around 1986. I have an opportunity to buy it, but I am not familiar with this chambering. The round is comparable to a .44 Mag or .44 Special, but is necked down slightly to where a standard .44 round...

Scout mount.(Questions & Answers)
April 1, 2006... Q: I see a lot of rifles with scout mounts and scopes. Where can I purchase a scout scope mount for a Model 81 Browning Lever Rifle? I have searched all my resources without success. I would appreciate your assistance. Keep up the good...

Clean scene.(Questions & Answers)
April 1, 2006... Q: I just bought my first rifle--a new Browning Stainless Steel Stalker 7mm Short Magnum. I put a Swarovski 3-12x50mm scope on it and I absolutely love it. I am very concerned, though, because I know very little about cleaning and proper...

Grip gripe.(Questions & Answers)
April 1, 2006... Q: My question concerns the grips on 1911s. Why is there a little cutout at the lower rear of the grip panels? To me, it looks ugly and must make the grips harder to produce. I've noticed some companies now make grips with the cutout missing....

Never worry about your prostate again ...(SPECIAL MEDICAL REPORT FOR MEN OVER 40)(Advertisement)
April 1, 2006... Chicago, IL -- "Out of sight, out of mind"--that's how most men feel about their prostate. Yet 67% of all men over 40 will be affected by prostate problems during his lifetime, and it's something every man should be concerned about. ...

Freedom Arms' biggest big bore: the 1/2"-bore fan gets a new cartridge and a stellar one it is.
April 1, 2006... The latest entry in today's towering line of 1/2" big bores is from Freedom Arms and it is their very own proprietary cartridge--the .500 Wyoming Express, chambered in a five-shot Model 83. Although they did not know it at the time, readers got...

Tops in tactical.
April 1, 2006... There's a saying that military planners are always preparing for the last war rather than the next. Like many generalities it is often unfair, but it does seem applicable to US military ordnance experts in the early '50s. The Ml rifle had...

Cheap practice, cheap fun with a double bonus.
April 1, 2006... I sat perched like an eagle on a high ledge overlooking a patch of Idaho timber country when a hunter came along the narrow trail. He was panting like a St. Bernard chained in the summer sun, and seemed grateful when I invited him to share my...

S&W 1911 today: three guns, three guys and a lot of AMMO.
April 1, 2006... Smith & Wesson has entered the 1911 market in a big way. From a single model just a couple of years ago they now have a dozen or so divided between the regular production and the special stuff from The Performance Center. As it is with all 1911...

The other colt single actions: such a popular revolver was bound to have many variations.
April 1, 2006... Arguably the most famous handgun in history is the Colt Single Action Army revolver. Others might vote for the P-08 Luger, or Colt 1911, or even the Walther PPK, but let's face it, Hollywood made it possible for the big Colt Peacemaker to be...

When aliens attack! Be afraid. Be very afraid. And look to the skies.(VIEWS, NEWS AND REVIEWS)
April 1, 2006... Because Paul Hellyer fears US arms in space will anger ET and provoke interstellar hostilities. "UFOs," the former Canadian Defense Minister claims, "are as real as the airplanes that fly over your head. "The United States military are...

Antique Firearms Assembly/Disassembly.(VIEWS, NEWS AND REVIEWS)
April 1, 2006... Antique Firearms Assembly/ Disassembly David R. Chicoine, [C] 2005 Gun Digest Books Every cowboy shooter and tinkerer of old guns will want gunsmith David R. Chicoine's new book Antique Firearms Assembly/Disassembly. In the format of the...

Ohio's youth season helping.(VIEWS, NEWS AND REVIEWS)
April 1, 2006... Ohio's youth firearm deer-hunting season was a success again last year with 15,000 youths bagging a record 8,722 deer, reports the Toledo Blade. The annual youth season has clearly helped grow youth hunting ranks annually in the state, the Ohio...

US repeating arms to close Connecticut plant.(VIEWS, NEWS AND REVIEWS)
April 1, 2006... Russ Thurman, Shooting Industry US Repeating Arms Co., announced in mid-January it is closing its New Haven, Conn., manufacturing facility on March 31, ending the production of the Winchester Model 70, Model 94 and Model 1300. While the...

The History of Remington firearms.
April 1, 2006... The History of Remington Firearms Roy Marcot, [C] 2005 Lyons Press Remington is one of our oldest, most storied gunmakers with a history going back almost to the birth of our country itself. A 128-page book can't possibly cover such a large...

Hall of unsung heros.(Air Force Docs Aid Victims)
April 1, 2006... Shortly after terrorists set off a string of car bombs in the nearby town of Balad, Iraq, last September, medical professionals at the Air Force Theater Hospital prepared for the worst. "When we started unloading the first Army helicopter,...

GOP shoot.(VIEWS, NEWS AND REVIEWS)
April 1, 2006... NSSF and the National Rifle Association co-hosted a skeet and trap shoot for attendees of the annual Republican Governors Association meeting in California last December at San Diego Shotgun Sports. Participants received lunch followed by a...

"No-retreat" bill.(VIEWS, NEWS AND REVIEWS)
April 1, 2006... An Alabama lawmaker is seeking support for a "no-retreat" bill modeled after a law recently passed in Florida, reports The Huntsville Times. The bill by State Rep. Albert Hall (D-Gurley) would allow residents to use deadly force if they are in...

Elk die-off mystery solved.(VIEWS, NEWS AND REVIEWS)
April 1, 2006... In February 2004 approximately 600 elk died in southern Wyoming and no one knew why, despite batteries of tests on blood samples. The key clue in the investigation came through an article from 1964 one of the Wyoming biologists read in which he...

Concealed carry.(VIEWS, NEWS AND REVIEWS)
April 1, 2006... Wisconsin residents could have a new concealed-carry law under a bill the state Senate approved Tuesday that would end the state's 133-year-old ban on concealed weapons. The bill is next expected to pass the state assembly, but Governor Jim...

USFWS flexibility in goose control.(VIEWS, NEWS AND REVIEWS)
April 1, 2006... The US Fish and Wildlife Service released a Final Environmental Impact Statement addressing the management of overabundant resident Canada goose populations. The USFWS says its preferred goose management alternatives will give state wildlife...

Bear hunt threat.(VIEWS, NEWS AND REVIEWS)
April 1, 2006... An animal rights group in New Jersey sought recruits to sabotage the state's planned black bear hunt, while two other groups planned lawsuits to stop the hunt. The sabotage threat--noted on the Web site of Win Animal Rights (WAR)--has drawn the...

New ATF regulations guide.(VIEWS, NEWS AND REVIEWS)
April 1, 2006... The new "Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide" has been published by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) and is posted to the ATF Web site (www.atf.gov). ATF has advised NSSF that no date has been set for...

Uproar in Britain.(VIEWS, NEWS AND REVIEWS)
April 1, 2006... An ex-British police officer, who also was once an officer in Texas, has triggered a national uproar in England after saying he would resign to protest a ban on officers carrying guns, reports the Dallas Morning News. Ben Johnson, 34, who was...

Wetlands funding, costlier duck stamp.(VIEWS, NEWS AND REVIEWS)
April 1, 2006... US Rep. Mark Kennedy (R-Minn.) and Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) have introduced a new Wetland Loan Act to authorize $400 million to accomplish goals in accordance with the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Funds would go toward land...

ATF stops trafficking.(VIEWS, NEWS AND REVIEWS)
April 1, 2006... Antonio Moran, 20, of Douglas, Arizona, was arrested on an ATF warrant Sunday when he crossed the Douglas port of entry from Mexico. As well, ATF agents arrested Francisco Coronado, 28, also of Douglas. Their arrests brought to seven the number...

Bovine TB case.(VIEWS, NEWS AND REVIEWS)
April 1, 2006... The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources expects a whitetail taken this fall by a hunter to test positive for bovine tuberculosis when final results come in. The deer was taken in northwestern Minnesota, where cattle were diagnosed with...

MK IV Martini-Henry 577-.450 fixings.(QUARTERMASTER)
April 1, 2006... In addition to Mom's Old Guns, here's another great source for 577-.450 cases, paper-patched bullets, preformed lube cookies and felt wads to keep those Mk IV Martini-Henrys booming. The company is Timberbeast Products located in Berlin,...

Champion critter series targets.(QUARTERMASTER)
April 1, 2006... Much to my wife's dismay, our garage is overflowing with scrap cardboard. I've got small pieces, medium pieces, and lots of big pieces lying everywhere. She really hates it, but being the understanding wife she is, she tolerates my...

Prochrono Pal.
April 1, 2006... Fresh from Midway USA, comes my Competition Electronics ProChrono Pal. A linear descendent of my old ProTach Chronograph, it features much-improved diffusers and a more sophisticated data summary menu. A couple of years with a friend's near...

Buffalo bore heavy deer loads.
April 1, 2006... The Winchester Model 1894 and .30-30 are almost synonymous terms. However, the '94 predates the .30-30 as the first two chamberings were .38-55 and .32-40, both black powder loads. One year later the .38-55 was necked down to .30 and the rest,...

New Alamo Bowie.(NEW PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... From Katz Knives Katz Knives' new "Alamo" is an impressive tribute to the famous blade popularized by legendary Western pioneer Jim Bowie. The Alamo Bowie comes in three versions, all featuring a 10" CT-75 440C stainless steel blade with a...

New .416 SM2 cartridge.(NEW PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... From Sisk Rifles Charlie Sisk of Sisk Rifles has developed the .416 SM2, a new dangerous game cartridge in a short action magnum. The new .416 allows a shorter bolt throw, shorter overall length and a lighter rifle, The .416 SM2 ammunition...

New magazine loaders.(NEW PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... From CAA Command Arms Accessories has added two new magazine loaders to its line. The Model MLU556 (.223 caliber magazines) and the Model MLU762 (7.62x39 caliber magazines) loads M16/AR-15, Ruger Mini 14 and AK-47 mags. Both models are...

The magnificent seven.(NEW PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... From Tichbourne Knives Canadian master knife maker George Tichbourne has designed seven stunning new hunting and sporting knives. Each features a genuine red deer stag horn handle with 316L stainless steel pins, guard and bolsters. The...

The Tanto Chili.(NEW PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... From MercWorx The Tanto Chili fixed-blade fighting and sporting knife from MercWorx is designed to meet even me most severe demands of the military, law enforcement and serious outdoor enthusiasts. The Tanto Chili is handcrafted in the USA...

The Scagel.(NEW PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... From Greco Knives John Greco's latest masterpiece is the Scagel, a tough working knife with a sleek appearance and outstanding balance. The Scagel features an 8" high-carbon blade, stacked leather washers with colored spacers and a genuine...

Black Lightning Rifle.(NEW PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... From Mitchell's Mausers The Black Lightening is a new compact rifle from Mitchell's Mausers. The Black Lightning is available in four calibers: .22 LR, .22 Magnum, .17 HMR and .17 Mach 2. Features include a heavy 18" fluted, stainless...

Bantam series lockbacks.(NEW PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... From Buck Knives Buck Knives has three versions of its new lightweight, compact value-priced Bantam lockback. The 420H0 stainless steel drop point blade sizes are 3 5/8", 3 1/2" and 2 3/4". The feather-light thermoplastic handles have...

Blue Book of Gun Values.(NEW PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... Publishes 27th Edition Steve Fjestad has punished the 27th edition of his popular Blue Book of Gun Values. The new edition features 2,008 pages detailing prices on over 300,000 firearms. One of the key features of the reference is the...

New firearms security system.(NEW PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... From VisuaLock The new VisuaLock patented firearms security system allows instant determination by both sight and touch that a handgun, rifle or shotgun is inoperable. Certified in both California and Maryland, VisuaLock's security...

New competition shotshells.(NEW PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... From NobelSport NobelSport has created two new international competition shotshells for skeet and trap shooters. Distributed exclusively in the USA by DKG Trading, they were used by the men's 2005 Olympic gold medalist in skeet shooting in...

High security gun cases.(NEW PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... From Contico Contico's new high-security gun cases feature a patented padded cradle that can be reconfigured to accommodate any combination of two rifles and/or shotguns. The cradles suspend the rifles or shotguns at a fixed distance from...

New Secret Agent.(NEW PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... From ROTUN-USA The new Secret Agent folding knife features a spring-assisted opening action that is ready for action in an instant. The Secret Agent has a 2.6" 440C stainless steel blade, cryogenically treated to 58RC hardness. All...

New Helia 30mm riflescope.(NEW PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... From Kahles USA The Helia CS is a new 30mm long-distance riflescope from Kahles USA. It comes in two versions, the 2.5-10x50 and the 3-12x56. The patented Kahles system allows the shooter to zero in the rifle at five different distances,...

Single Action Sixguns.
April 1, 2006... SINGLE ACTION SIXGUNS John Taffin [C] 2005, Gun Digest Books Are you ready for a love story? A love story written with passion, devotion and great respect then filtered through deep knowledge and long experience? It's a compelling...

Win this free Magnum Research BFR .50 AE revolver!
April 1, 2006... Big-bore, big-boomin' fun with the BFR (Biggest, Finest Revolver) is going to be possible for one lucky reader this month. There's nothing quite like the 1/2" bore to light up the day and this 8 1/8"-barreled .50 AE will do so admirably. The...

Carts & horses.(ODDANGRY SHOT)
April 1, 2006... I was standing back away from the crowd in front of the "Kill House" and thinkin' "Dude! I don't even like the sound of that..." See, I've been in some places with names like "Ambush Alley," "Shrapnel City," "Bloody Hill" and such, and in my...

The end of an era.(Campfire tales[TM])
April 1, 2006... Shapel's Gun Shop has been the gun shop by which all other gunshops have been judged for the past 59 years. Now everything has changed. We live in a time when everything seems to change so rapidly, so much so we become almost numb to it fully...