Guns Magazine articles from March 2009

Guns Magazine archives from March 2009

M1895 Steyr Mannlicher.(CROSSFIRE LETTERS TO GUNS)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2009... Great article on this almost forgotten weapon. I have two and shoot them often, mostly with reloads, (brass from Grafs, bullets from Hornady, dies from Lee.) Its recoil is not as bad as some people say. John Sheehan requests info on Greek...

Tokarev ammo.(CROSSFIRE LETTERS TO GUNS)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2009... In the January issue Mike Venturino wrote regarding the PPSh-41 submachine gun: "Most people also ask, "What cartridge is a PPsh41 chambered for?" I say 7.62x25mm and again they look blank. Then when you tell them it's interchangeable with the...

PPSh41.(CROSSFIRE LETTERS TO GUNS)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2009... I enjoyed Mike Venturino's piece on the Russian-designed PPSh41 submachine gun, and would like to add a comment or two. About half a century ago I had occasion to play with a few WWII vintage sub-guns, among which was a drum-equipped PPSH....

Thoughts on PC: but in a good way.(RANGING SHOTS[TM])
March 1, 2009... Political Correctness, as well as personal courtesy, went out the window in the last few months of election year 2008 even though PC probably never was and still isn't worth much to start with. Generally people who worry about political...

GunVault biometric gun safe: are we ready for high-tech, fingerprint access lock boxes?(HANDGUNS)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Let me confess at the outset I may not be smart enough to appreciate "smart" technology. I've spent the last several years watching assorted "smart gun" concepts turn into vaporware. Remember the exec who called a...

Rifle guy or cartridge guy? It's possible to be both.(RIFLEMAN)
March 1, 2009... Long ago I read a car-racing column (I think by Patrick Bedard) on "engine guys" vs. "chassis guys." Obviously a car needs both. The point was, some guys are just naturally more comfortable fiddling with the engine, trying to find a bit more...

Gettin' the lead out: the .22 Winchester magnum rimfire goes green.(RIMFIRES)
March 1, 2009... We took the lead out of gasoline. Out of paint. Out of solder. Out of shotshells. We took the lead out of centerfire rifle bullets. Now given the relentless "Get the Lead Out" campaigns driven by the EPA, US Fish and Wildlife Service and the...

Keep both eyes open: it's more important than you think.(OPTICS)
March 1, 2009... If I were to hammer and harp on only one subject of the shooting discipline regarding optics, it would be both eyes should remain open when using any optic. While instruction in the art of shooting is much older than I am, I still find this one...

Life anew for an old friend: new powders in the .30-06.(HANDLOADING)
March 1, 2009... Shooters and hunters are naturally conservative, and thus slow to abandon proven technology. The hottest-selling hunting centerfire is not some short, porky little "magnum" with half the alphabet behind its numeral. Nope, it's still the .30-06....

Guns I won't miss: well, some I will, but not by much.(MONTANA MUSINGS)
March 1, 2009... There is a subject full time gun'riters regularly use when deadline time is near and they haven't written anything yet. It's the old, "Guns I Wish I'd Never Sold" thing. Personally, I've never written such a column but I've made...

No AK this: the Czech Sa vz.58.(SURPLUS LOCKER[TM])
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dating back to the 13th Century, the Czech arms industry has enjoyed a long and rich history of innovative small arms design. Familiar examples coming to mind are the Bren light machinegun, the Scorpion machine...

Red light district: the Crimson Trace Laser Grip improves hitability with the Ruger LCP.(OUT of the BOX[TM])
March 1, 2009... Most states now have a system in place for issuing concealed weapons permits and, after the recent Supreme Court ruling, perhaps we'll see this expand even further. Those who now have access to a CCW must address which firearm to choose and how...

Strength, stability and beauty: the innovative Serengeti gunstock.(OUT of the BOX[TM])
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Wood is the traditional material for rifle stocks because for many centuries it was the best material for the job, hardwood in particular. It is reasonably light and can be precisely carved to both fit the metal...

Target patriot: adjustable sights increase the Charter .327 Magnum's versatility.(OUT of the BOX[TM])
March 1, 2009... Exactly 130-years ago, Smith & Wesson startled the firearms world by introducing a new .32 revolver chambered for a centerfire cartridge. The .32 S&W round of 1878 was loaded with black powder and, by today's standards, its performance was...

Budget side-by-side.(Q AND A)
March 1, 2009... Q: I would like to get a 20-gauge double-barrel shotgun, but I don't know if I should go with hammers or hammerless. I can't afford a new one, used is all I can afford right now, but I have no idea what brands are good in the used shotguns. I...

Trail's End.(Q and A)
March 1, 2009... Q: A while back, I purchased a Winchester Model 94 "Trail's End" rifle in .45 Colt caliber. Is this the final lever- action model rifle to bear the Winchester name? Is this rifle safe to use with the heavy .45 Colt handloads the manuals (which...

Pheasants forever! S&W is back in the shotgun business.
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Today, Smith & Wesson is fully at the top of their game. Success stories include the scandium ultra lightweight revolvers, a staple for the burgeoning concealed carry market, and the standard against which all the...

Pocket power: concealed carry pistols from STI.(Cover story)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The big news from STI Int. is the restoration of the compact, high-capacity VIP to the product line. The VIP is a long-time favorite of CEO David Skinner and Sales and Media Relations director, Rabbit Boyett. They...

Day and night defense: Taurus .45 ACP model 24/7.
March 1, 2009... The Taurus PT 24/7 OSS, as most firearms from Taurus do, exhibits fine workmanship, imagination, innovation, and a relatively low price tag. Shooters have four choices when it comes to choosing a 24/7 in .45 ACP. Barrel length choices are 4.2...

Winning budget Benchrest rifle.
March 1, 2009... Have you ever had the itch to try Open F-Class Benchrest competition but found the custom equipment used to win is just too expensive? Savage has solved your problem. I have recently come to the conclusion I am a rifle snob. I shoot...

Far shooters: Sharps Model 1874s.
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] If a prize were to be awarded to the firearm gaining the most fame with the least numbers manufactured, it would have to go to the Sharps Model 1874, a single shot, falling block, breechloading rifle with side...

Hope and change.(RIGHTS WATCH)
March 1, 2009... "The election of Barack Obama as President and Joe Biden as Vice President was a decisive victory for common sense gun laws," the Brady Campaign crowed in its election follow-up report. "The election also represents a critical loss for the...

Massive reenlistment.(VIEWS NEW AND REVIEWS)
March 1, 2009... Hundreds of troops gathered at Al Faw Palace in Baghdad, Iraq, for the Multinational Force-Iraq Reenlistment. Naturalization and Independence Day Ceremony last July 4 at Camp Victory. During the ceremony, 588 troops reenlisted and 161 were...

Rescue at Gibraltar.(VIEWS NEW AND REVIEWS)
March 1, 2009... British Service personnel helped rescue over 30 crewmembers of a cargo ship battered by Storm Force 10 winds on the rocks of Gibraltar last 10 October 2008. The 24-year-old Liberian-registered bulk carrier MV Fedra and its 31 Croatian and...

Deterring piracy off Somalia.(VIEWS NEW AND REVIEWS)
March 1, 2009... Since 2007, nearly 280 attacks and attempts have been recorded in the world by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Asia, with China Sea and the Strait of Malacca and African coasts are among the areas most dangerous to navigate. The...

The Victorinox champ.(QUARTERMASTER)
March 1, 2009... In 1891, Karl Elsener's cutlery business began supplying the Swiss Army with the basic Soldier's Knife. In addition to the primary blade, the Soldier's Knife had a screwdriver, awl and can opener, features remaining fairly static into recent...

Sidewinder.(QUARTERMASTER)
March 1, 2009... I have never been fond of snakes and my 11 years in Texas confirmed my thoughts, already set in place from Vietnam. That said, I have to admit I have found a snake-like piece of gear I actually like and it works--which makes it even better. I...

Reeder custom guns.(QUARTERMASTER)
March 1, 2009... Gary Reeder offers a full line of custom single-action or double-action sixguns as well as single-shot pistols in standard calibers as well as Reeder's proprietary cartridges. Gary is not normally known as one offering custom grips however he...

Laserlyte Sub Compact V2-Mini Rail Laser System.(QUARTERMASTER)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It is not often we find an accessory smaller and lighter than its name, however, such is the Laserlyte Sub Compact V2-Mini Rail Laser System. This little red laser unit fits on a semi-autos with at least one...

Dr. Maynard's Cap Gun: some ideas survive with surprising results.(A GUNS MEDLEY)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Let us return to those thrilling days of yesteryear when celluloid cowboys rode the purple sage in mostly black and white. Yes, for those of us older than dirt, cowboys were our heroes and every kid worth his salt...

The spy camera.(NEW PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2009... FROM MINOX Whether you think of James Bond or go farther back in time, the name Minox usually conjures up a vision of their legendary spy camera. Now, Minox proudly announces their new Digital SpyCam (DSC). This Spy Camera is just...

1911 Diamond Grips.(NEW PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2009... FROM GB DIAMOND GRIPS The classic "1911" pistol seamlessly combined form with function. Now, GB Diamond Grips offers an added touch of elegance to enhance this enduring sidearm. The concept is simple. A diamond shaped inlay inserted into...

Thermold magazines are back!(NEW PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2009... FROM THERMOLD DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT William Howard died in October 2005. With his sad passing, the Thermold plant in Wilson, S.C. closed. However, William Howard's brilliant ideas continue to live on. Thermold has been reborn using the...

X26 Nemesis cargo holster.(NEW PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2009... FROM DESANTIS HOLSTER & LEATHER GOODS CO. This ambidextrous holster was designed to fit the thigh pocket of most cargo pants. It can be carried either strong side or as a cross draw and is built from a very viscous material. The ATT6100 is...

Crystal Pistols.(NEW PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2009... FROM CRYSTAL PISTOLS Crystal Pistols are authentic replicas of the three most popular handguns in use today: The Mil-spec 1911, the S&W revolver and the Glock 21. Each is faithfully reproduced in fine lead crystal in actual size and...

Black powder revolvers--reproductions & replicas by Dennis Adler.(NEW PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2009... FROM BLUE BOOK PUBLICATIONS, INC. If you love blackpowder revolvers, a stern warning is in order. This book might make you drool in public. It might foster excessive avarice. It might even inspire unbridled envy. The truth of the matter is...

The GS-44 Pistol Model Glove.(NEW PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2009... FROM GRIPSWELL GripSwell introduces a WARM Duel Pistol Model Glove for 2009. These unique gloves employ a patented Palm Swell memory foam design which noticeably increases comfort when pistol shooting. The back side and wrist areas of...

Custom Glock frames.(NEW PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FROM LONE WOLF DISTRIBUTORS The "Timber Wolf" is the first of the Wolf Pack series of custom replacement Glock polymer frames. They offer the smallest grip possible, an extended beavertail, round magazine...

You can win! Weatherby sub-moa in .204 Ruger and Kahles scope!(GUNSMAGAZINE GUN GIVEAWAY!)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Yes indeedy, Dave Anderson wrote about this very rifle back in February 2008 and we've been waiting for the right time to give it away. Since we're going into varmint season, what better way to help make the world...

The glue ain't all that's crazy: and the nuts are mixed and "fancy.".(ODD ANGRY SHOT)
March 1, 2009... It's November 4, 2008--Election Day--and I'm writing an overdue column for the March 2009 issue, which will perhaps hit the newsstands in late January. Sound a little crazy? Compared to what's going on at the polls across the country right now,...

Friendly firearms.(CAMPFIRE TALES)
March 1, 2009... For most of my adult life, I have been involved in teaching in one form or another. It is a well-known fact teachers never repeat themselves. What you may think is repetition is actually a running review. I have been writing for so long, while...