Guns Magazine articles from November 2006

Guns Magazine archives from November 2006

Collector's corner.(CROSSFIRE: LETTERS TO GUNS)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2006... I am currently deployed to Afghanistan and was delighted to see the August issue in the Post Exchange for a couple of reasons. First was the article on the .30-40 Krag, as I am the proud owner of a Model 1898 Carbine, which has been passed down...

Ice picks.(CROSSFIRE: LETTERS TO GUNS)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2006... There he goes again! John Connor just can't seem to resist "slamming" others who disagree with him, "scanning" slices of society, "picking" on the media and generally being the kind of guy that many of us just can not stand to be without. ...

Pine board test.(CROSSFIRE: LETTERS TO GUNS)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2006... I was reading the July issue's "Montana Musings" by Mike Venturino and I noticed the photo of a "19th century" wooden box for measuring the penetration of bullets. In the 1800s the majority of lumber was rough cut and a 1" board actually...

Of Mulies: and open spaces and the pleasure of the hunt.(RIFLEMAN)
November 1, 2006... I love to hunt mule deer. I like big, open, rugged country and I like to see a long ways. I like to watch animals, finding a good viewpoint and locating them with a binocular. I like to evaluate the animal and plan the stalk. No other type of...

Gone the way of the dinosaur: rumors of the revolver's extinction have been greatly exaggerated.(HANDGUNS)
November 1, 2006... Earlier this year, I was chairing a panel of police instructors at a law-enforcement training symposium. It was warm in the room, and most of us had our jackets off. The fellow at my right, a police chief wearing a custom Colt .45 automatic,...

Favorite .45 ACP loads: raising the fun factor.(HANDLOADER)
November 1, 2006... Shooting for me has two parts: work and fun. The work part means I shoot what I have to, but for fun I shoot whatever I want. That covers a pretty broad playing field and my choices range from Colt single-actions to the new S&W M&P and XD...

Loading paper patch bullets: exploring the past through its tools.(MONTANA MUSINGS)
November 1, 2006... WHY would anyone wrap paper around a lead bullet and shoot it in their rifle? Simply because the paper keeps the lead from touching the barrel and leaving lead fouling in there. And, as strange as it may seem to modern shooters, most of the...

AR-15 maintenance part II: beyond the barrel. Maintenance of the competition AR.(UP ON ARs)
November 1, 2006... Since we shined up the barrel last time, one more nearby place needs attention before the job is fully done in the chamber. Any and all semiautomatic firearms need a clean chamber to operate right. I use a coated pistol rod with a .357 brush to...

The bolt: and how to work it.(RANGING SHOTS[TM])
November 1, 2006... Historically, an arrow for a crossbow is a bolt. Then we have bolts, like in nuts and bolts and, of course, one of my favorites, bolt as in run like the wind. Then there is that bolt-action-rifle bolt thing. Since this is a gun magazine, let us...

The mother lode: shotshell reloading never had it so good.(SHOTGUNNER)
November 1, 2006... Whenever I go looking for wads, cases, shot, tools, reloading data, in fact, anything to do with shotshell reloading, I usually end up with the Ballistic Products' catalog in my hand. Maybe those long northern winters get their creative juices...

The old Three-Line: still a great value.(SURPLUS LOCKER[TM])
November 1, 2006... What costs less than $70, is machined from steel forgings, is robust, powerful and accurate, and appears in enough models and variations to keep a collector happy for decades? It's the Three-Line, or what we commonly call the...

Taurus Titanium Tracker: a handy little "niche gun," this useful .45 ACP Revolver is a surprisingly good value.(OUT OF THE BOX[TM])
November 1, 2006... The five-shot, large-bore Tracker revolvers in 2" to 4" barrel length have proven to be surprisingly popular for Taurus in big bore calibers. The company has recently produced a limited run in .45 ACP in the Total Titanium series. Lockwork and...

The everyman's rifle: not everyone requires a boomer.(OUT OF THE BOX[TM])
November 1, 2006... My friend Bill opined about how heavy his old .30-06 Model 70 Winchester was and how he'd love to upgrade. It belonged to his late father-in-law, who hunted deer, antelope and elk with it for many years, so I guessed it was a Pre-64. Sure...

MBA Gyro-Jet.(QUESTIONS & ANSWERS)
November 1, 2006... Q: I am trying to get info on something I saw many years ago end my friends think I'm crazy. I told them I saw a pistol called the "Robert Goddard" The bullets were for all practical purposes small rockets that started a powder burn upon...

Ortgies pistol.(QUESTIONS & ANSWERS)
November 1, 2006... Q: Can you tell me anything about a German pistol from the World War II era? It appears to be a .25 with markings in English--Made in Germany. It was purportedly take from a German soldier taken during WWII. It seems to be in reasonable...

Ruger's 50th Anniversary .44 Blackhawk: Taffin's favorite-est handgun returns.
November 1, 2006... The human body has so many wonderful elements, not the least of which is a mechanism in our soul which makes it very easy to recall the good things in our past and forget the bad. There's also a folder marked "Firsts," which when opened...

Sig revolution: a 1911 with decidely Sig-Sauer styling.
November 1, 2006... The appetite of American shooters for 1911 autopistols is evidently insatiable. So great is the demand even companies like Smith & Wesson and Sigarms see opportunities. I sometimes wonder who is next--Remington, maybe? Dakota Arms? General...

A Camo Christmas: a gift guide for the serving soldier.
November 1, 2006... Think back to your childhood--however many minutes or millennia that may have been--and then think about how you felt while opening the very best, most pleasing present you ever received... Pretty good, huh? OK, now you know how every GI feels...

Benchrest for beginners: you can go as far as you want.
November 1, 2006... While benchrest competitors are both precision and accuracy extremists, there are other good reasons for learning good benchrest shooting techniques. Chronographing or tuning a load, sighting in a rifle, evaluating the capability of a rifle or...

Dan Wesson 1911 pistols: these ain't your daddy's wheelguns.
November 1, 2006... Have you noticed everybody and his brother makes a 1911 pistol? To the uninitiated it is imponderable and even a cause for wonder among we who do this for a living. Some readers gripe about the amount of coverage we give the 1911, but the...

Guns in schools.(RIGHTS WATCH)
November 1, 2006... "Students who bring guns to school are hardly ever detected," the researcher wrote. "This is shocking to most parents and even other students since it is just as easy to bring a loaded handgun to school as it is to bring a calculator." One...

No retreat in Alaska.(VIEWS, NEWS AND REVIEWS)
November 1, 2006... Governor Frank Murkowski has signed the NRA-backed Castle Doctrine bill providing protection from criminal prosecution and civil lawsuits for citizens who defend themselves from criminal attack. Alaska becomes the 10th state to adopt such...

House overturns safety lock measure.(VIEWS, NEWS AND REVIEWS)
November 1, 2006... The US House of Representatives voted to overturn a recently enacted requiting safety locks to be distributed with all handguns sold in the US, Reuters reports. The provision was included in the "Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act"...

Political loser.(VIEWS, NEWS AND REVIEWS)
November 1, 2006... U.S. News and World Report discussed last July how politicians are beginning to see restricting the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans is a political loser. A spokesman for the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research...

CCW.(CROSSFIRE: LETTERS TO GUNS)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2006... I enjoyed Clint Smith's excellent and life-changing "'Ranging Shots" in June's issue. I say life changing, because I now realize no one appointed me protector of the people and therefore I won't need a CCW permit. My state is rather generous...

1903-A3 forever.(CROSSFIRE: LETTERS TO GUNS)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2006... I must concur with Mr. Venturino in his assessment that the 1903-A3 Springfield rifle is one of the better shooting military bolt rifles. I presently own a Smith-Corona '03-A3 built in early January 1943. My rifle has a six-groove barrel...

More shell deflectors.(CROSSFIRE: LETTERS TO GUNS)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2006... I made my shell deflector from plastic. You need clear tough plastic that can be heated over a kitchen range burner until just soft enough to be bent at approximately a 90-degree angle. Cut a piece long enough to cover the 10/22 ejection port...

A safety violation.(CROSSFIRE: LETTERS TO GUNS)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2006... As a longtime subscriber to GUNS and American Handgunner, I must say I was extremely disappointed to see such a blatant display of irresponsible gun handling depicted on page 28 of the September 2006 issue. Worse, this person has doubled his...

An idea.(CROSSFIRE: LETTERS TO GUNS)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2006... Just received the September 2006 issue. Outstanding as usual. Always interesting and fun to read. And read. And re-read. Thank you for replacing the pictures of Holt with pictures of long-legged pretty blonde girls. I have one of my own at...

Dissin'.(CROSSFIRE: LETTERS TO GUNS)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2006... I just wanted to comment on the "Odd Angry Shot" column in the September issue. John Conner hit the nail right on the head with his discussion of respect. Years ago, I was a corrections officer, and all the inmates seemed to be concerned with...

7x57mm.(CROSSFIRE: LETTERS TO GUNS)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2006... I've been a practicing gunsmith for 20 years now (hey--a few more and maybe I can stop practicing and actually get it right) and a "gun nut" for much longer than that. GUNS is the only magazine to which I subscribe, because of its well-balanced...

CZ fan.(CROSSFIRE: LETTERS TO GUNS)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2006... As the owner of a CZ 452 Lux, I heartily concur with Charles Petty's laudatory review of the sister model, the 452 American (September issue). The Lux comes with Mauser battle-rifle-style iron sights indexed in 25 meter increments out to 200m....

Hates us.(CROSSFIRE: LETTERS TO GUNS)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2006... I've let my GUNS subscription expire and will do the same with American Handgunner. Your constant put down of other gun magazines while setting yourself up on a pedestal has become tiresome. The final icing on the cake is your promotion by...

Likes us.(CROSSFIRE: LETTERS TO GUNS)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2006... At a time when most gun magazines have become 20 pages of advertising wrapped around advertising, GUNS is loaded with work from talented writers, interesting subject matter and some of the best photography I have seen in a magazine. You're...

A little bit of justice: hall of heroes.(VIEWS, NEWS AND REVIEWS)
November 1, 2006... Marine snipers from 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment Sniper Section Four were in a hide last June 16 when the spotter observed a military-aged male inside a nearby parked car videotaping a passing patrol of amphibious assault vehicles. The...

Gun owner liability.(VIEWS, NEWS AND REVIEWS)
November 1, 2006... Massachusetts' highest court ruled gun owners may be negligent for shootings with their stolen firearms in certain situations, reports the Boston Globe. The Supreme Judicial Court's ruling applies to gun owners who fail to properly store their...

Gleanings from firearms literature.(VIEWS, NEWS AND REVIEWS)
November 1, 2006... A frequent correspondent sent me an interesting story from www.strategypage.com titled Where Has All the Firepower Gone? The story is about the evolution of American forces' use of precision firepower. To quote the author, "American...

Lifetime permits popular.(VIEWS, NEWS AND REVIEWS)
November 1, 2006... A new Indiana state law allowing handgun owners to acquire lifetime permits is proving popular, reports The Times. The law went into effect July 1 and gives residents the option of purchasing a 4-year permit for $40 or a lifetime permit for...

Michigan families afield bills.(VIEWS, NEWS AND REVIEWS)
November 1, 2006... Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm gave hunter recruitment efforts in her state a big boost by signing into law HB 5192 and SB 1105. Both bills are part of Families Afield, a program designed by the US Sportsmen's Alliance, National Wild Turkey...

Duck numbers up.(VIEWS, NEWS AND REVIEWS)
November 1, 2006... The US Fish and Wildlife Service has released its preliminary report on western breeding ducks and habitats, based on surveys conducted last May. Overall duck populations increased 14 percent from last year, highlighted by an 8 percent increase...

New NRA Gunsmithing Endowment.(VIEWS, NEWS AND REVIEWS)
November 1, 2006... Larry Potterfield, President of Midway USA, Inc., has pledged to The NRA Foundation a personal gift of $500,000 on behalf of himself and his wife, Brenda, to establish a new NRA Gunsmithing Education Endowment. "I believe it is essential...

Jerry Miculek revolver champ.(VIEWS, NEWS AND REVIEWS)
November 1, 2006... Jerry Miculek, Smith & Wesson's professional shooter, was the overall winner of the 15th Annual International Revolver Championship (IRC), a shooting competition held last June at the Hogue Action Pistol Range in Morro Bay, California. Miculek...

Lead ammo under attack.(VIEWS, NEWS AND REVIEWS)
November 1, 2006... Even though no conclusive scientific evidence exists linking lead from hunters' bullets to lead toxicity in some California condors, the Center for Biological Diversity and other health organizations threatened to sue the state of California...

New pistol champ.(VIEWS, NEWS AND REVIEWS)
November 1, 2006... The annual Camp Perry, Ohio, shooting matches have already produced a new pistol champion, US Army Reservist SSG James Henderson, in a match that came down to the last five shots. Henderson, of Festus, Missouri, and seven-time national champion...

Bogardus glass target ball brings $17,000.(VIEWS, NEWS AND REVIEWS)
November 1, 2006... In the first auction of part of Alex Kerr's collection of glass target balls, a new world record was set when the first 10 balls sold in last July's American Bottle Auction for more than $45,000. Alex Kerr was part of the famous Kerr Glass...

Operation helping hands: hall of unsung heroes.(VIEWS, NEWS AND REVIEWS)
November 1, 2006... Soldiers brought toys and smiles to children in one of Iraq's northernmost provinces recently with Operation Helping Hands in Dahuk, Iraq, last July. The humanitarian assistance mission was conducted by Soldiers of the 142nd Corps Support...

Pick a pile of pallets.(VIEWS, NEWS AND REVIEWS)
November 1, 2006... Hall of Unsung Heroes (AKA: Jobs you never heard of) Over the past month, a team from the 407th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron searched around All Air Base, Iraq, to recover more than $1 million in pallets--and not the pine...

Henry repeating arms gives.(VIEWS, NEWS AND REVIEWS)
November 1, 2006... Last June 24th was a busy day for Henry Repeating Arms. Henry, and a local gun club, the Colonial Rifle and Pistol Range, sponsored a day at the range for youngsters from the local New York chapter of the Ronald McDonald House. The youngsters...

Trace data amendment rejected.(VIEWS, NEWS AND REVIEWS)
November 1, 2006... The Senate Appropriations Committee rejected an amendment to a spending bill (HR 5672) by anti-gun Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) to grant mayors like New York City's Michael Bloomberg access to ATF trace data. The best argument for limiting...

Sharps combustible Cartridge Kit.(QUARTERMASTER)
November 1, 2006... At first glance, shooting the pre-metallic cartridge Sharps Rifles and Carbines seems a tedious process. The original drill called for a self-consuming paper or treated linen cartridge consisting of powder and bullet ignited by a separate...

One Ragged Hole.(QUARTERMASTER)
November 1, 2006... I was drawn to it like a bear to honey or my wife to a sale. The advertisement boldly declared, "Increase Speed and Accuracy at All Ranges--What Every Shooter Wants--One Ragged Hole." Hmm, maybe I'm on to something here. Ragged holes are as...

Caudill custom stocks.(QUARTERMASTER)
November 1, 2006... Every custom sixgun deserves custom stocks, however, it is normally a two-step process of first having a custom gunsmith doing his magic and then shipping the finished product, or at least the grip frame, off to a custom grip maker. This step...

New AR-15 forearm.(NEW PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2006... From B-Square B-Square, a division of Armor Holdings, has designed a new aftermarket Picatinny Replacement Forearm for flattop carbine AR-15-style rifles. Crafted from premium-grade aircraft aluminum, the replacement Picatinny slot design...

New hunting knives.(NEW PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2006... From Leatherman Leatherman has created two new folding and two new fixed-blade hunting knives. The fixed blades are the Steens and the Ukiah and the folders are the Klamath (pictured) and the Nehalem. The fixed models feature full-size...

New Vickers Tactical 1911.(NEW PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2006... From Nighthawk Custom Nighthawk Custom has teamed with USPSA and IDPA shooting champion Larry Vickers to create the new Vickers Tactical 1911 semiauto handgun. Using predominantly Caspian Arms, Novak and Richard Heinie components, the...

New SigTac Rifle Bag.(NEW PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2006... From Sigarms The new SigTac Rifle Bag from Sigarms transport rifles measuring a maximum length of 40.5" securely and comfortably. Crafted from 900 denier woven polyester, the in Tac Rifle Bag has four adjustable straps, lockable zippers...

New Varmint Rifle.(NEW PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2006... From Tactical Rifles The new Special Varmint Rifle (SVR) from Tactical Rifles delivers impressive accuracy in a rugged, lightweight AR-style package. Chambered in choice of .223 Remington or .204 Ruger, the SVR guarantees groups of 1/2"...

New bore cleaner.(NEW PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2006... From Corrosion Tech Corrosion Technologies new CorrosionX For Guns loosens stubborn bore deposits in seconds and lubricates the firearms to prevent further buildup. CorrosionX cuts through fouling and sediment, while sticking to the metal...

New gun cases.(NEW PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2006... From DKG Trading DKG trading has added three new rugged aluminum gun cases to its line of quality shooting sports accessories. The new handgun cases are manufactured from sturdy aircraft-style aluminum and are lined with extra deep foam...

New Agent fixed blade.(NEW PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2006... From Roton USA Roton USA has created a fixed-blade version of its popular compact Agent knife. The fixed-blade Agent features a laser blanked 4.75" 440-C stainless steel blade, which is precision ground and cryogenically heat-treated to...

DMT Diafold: a simple sharp maker.(SPOTLIGHT)
November 1, 2006... I am a klutz when it comes to knife sharpening. I just never could get the hang of any of those knife-sharpening doohickeys, I always wound up with a completely messed up edge, but I've found a tool I can work. Even a klutz like me managed to...

Spock would curl up and die.(ODD ANGRY SHOT)
November 1, 2006... You folks remember the Spock, the pointy-earned Vulcan from Star Trek, right. The dour faced dude who would go either shocked-indignant or supercilious-sneering when his human starship-mates would do or say something illogical? A heavy dose of...

The combat magnum: good gun gone.(CAMPFIRE TALES[TM])
November 1, 2006... It was a rare privilege, in fact probably unique. I'd been invited to take part in our Sheriff s semiannual qualification course. I knew several deputies quite well as they were dedicated handgunners and one just happened to be the training...

Revolver fan.(CROSSFIRE: LETTERS TO GUNS)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2006... I want to thank you guys for continuing to include articles about revolvers. I am 22-years old, and a lot of guys in my platoon are hung up on automatic pistols. Don't get me wrong, I love shooting pistols like my Glock 22 .40 S&W, but my go-to...