Guns Magazine articles from September 2004

Guns Magazine archives from September 2004

Loves us.(Crossfire Letters To Guns)
September 1, 2004... I've got to say the magazine just keeps improving. When the magazines arrive--I get American Handgunner too--I thumb through them and then read them from cover to cover and it's hard not jump ahead. By reading every article there seems to be an...

Hates us.(Crossfire Letters To Guns)
September 1, 2004... Concerning Massad Ayoob's article "Springfield Armory's Novel 9mm" (GUNS May 2004), the description was horrible. On page 74 he finally says it has a 3.5" barrel. A very sad article. All I perceived was another 1911 history and not a spec...

Case cruncher.(Crossfire Letters To Guns)
September 1, 2004... I've enjoyed your magazine for many years now and most of the time I enjoy reading John Taffin. However, I think he's off in his article: "Levergun Loads: .25-20" (GUNS April 2004). I've been reloading the little .25-20 Win, about 30 years now....

Both eyes open.(Crossfire Letters To Guns)
September 1, 2004... I thought some of your writers might be able to give me a few tips to help improve my shooting. I've been trying to learn to aim with both eyes open and my problem is my left eye is my strong eye and I shoot right-handed. Handguns are my great...

Photo phun?(Crossfire Letters To Guns)
September 1, 2004... Could you try to do fewer photos of gun powder cans, knife blades, bullets and ammo boxes and a few more of shooters shooting or graphs and targets? LeRoy Harskjold Ft. Worth, TX Geez LeRoy, that would mean we'd have to actually...

Lawyers? Bad?(Crossfire Letters To Guns)
September 1, 2004... Guns and American Handgunner are, in my opinion, two of the finest gunzines in print. The only criticism I have is some writers make derogatory remarks about lawyers. The ones doing this appear to have no use for lawyers, that is, until THEY...

Defending the downsized: .410 fun-guns.(Shotgunner)
September 1, 2004... This week I was putting Hatfield's elegant little 28 gauge SxS through its paces over the Picacho Sporting Club's sporting clays course. Between stations, someone in our small band of brothers happened to mention fellow shooter, Chuck Donohue,...

High primer hi-jinx.(Handloader)
September 1, 2004... One of the most critical, and least appreciated operations in reloading is seating a new primer. After all, it seems so straightforward: Knock out the old, push in the new. The knock-out part is easy enough but how you put the new one in can...

Fighting new gun fever? Brownells to the rescue!(Rifleman)
September 1, 2004... I sometimes envy those who keep life simple. One of my brothers-in-law is a perfect example. Thirty years ago I helped him buy a used Winchester 70 in .30-'06. The price was ridiculously low, especially considering the rifle wore a new Weaver...

Wheel guns are real guns.(Ranging Shots)
September 1, 2004... In today's scandium, titanium and polymer auto loading world, the retro-interest in carbon steel guns may seem to be archaic thinking. But after careful consideration, you might realize there are many old. things that work well and even I sort...

Mag-ban bull: GIS are in danger.(Handguns)
September 1, 2004... If you listen in the chat rooms, you hear the sound of disenchantment with the Beretta M9 pistol in Afghanistan and Iraq. There are reports of 9mm NATO ball ammunition proving ineffectual against enemy fighters at close quarters, and tales of...

Blackhawk hydrastorm force 5[TM].(Quartermaster)
September 1, 2004... I'll admit to being somewhat of a pack freak. The closet in my war room, my wife refers to my haven as "the cave", is stuffed with assorted packs of every shape and color imaginable. Always searching for an excuse to buy another one. I recently...

Past shooting gloves.(Quartermaster)
September 1, 2004... It's impossible to have your cake and eat it to, right? I love hard-kicking big bore handguns, but being somewhat of a sissy-boy at times, shooting a heavy-recoiling handgun is simply not that much fun. Plainly put, it hurts, and sometimes it...

Surefire X200A tactical light.(Quartermaster)
September 1, 2004... It's 3:00 in the morning and your attack dog "Fluffy," the man-eating poodle, has just awakened you from a sound sleep. Something's wrong. You reach under the bed where Fluffy has taken refuge and try to calm him down. Nothing works. He's as...

American ammunition.(Quartermaster)
September 1, 2004... We're always on the look-out for affordable ammo, but so often what we find is grungy surplus or amino that's just questionable enough to make you wonder a bit when you pull the trigger. American Ammunition, while being very affordable, is in...

What's this? Humor?(Crossfire Letter To Guns)
September 1, 2004... I've been reading your sister publication American Handgunner for years and I have to say they've got this guy named Connor who is so hell-fire funny I'm about fall out of my chair at times. My wife just looks at me weirdly and wonders how I...

Music to our ears.(Crossfire Letter To Guns)
September 1, 2004... I realize I'm a bit slow on the draw, but I just picked up a box of magazines in a yard sale, and came across a copy of your July 2003 issue. I've read your mag before and find it one of the best. Guns & Amino got nothin' on you guys! Phil...

Soldiers are cool.(Crossfire Letter To Guns)
September 1, 2004... My name is Shane Locklear and I'm currently deployed in eastern Afghanistan. I'm a reader of your mag and would like to say a big thank you for putting the kind of effort into your magazine that too many simply won't bother doing. Shane...

Principal is no pal.(Crossfire Letter To Guns)
September 1, 2004... I spent a couple decades teaching elementary children, and during that time I always had a knife or two for the chores only a knife can do. The last few years I also replaced my meager tool collection in the classroom with a Leatherman. The...

Old guns great.(Crossfire Letter To Guns)
September 1, 2004... Just finished yet another "Surplus Locker" and I have to say, it's delightful to see you giving the old guns the attention they deserve. Holt does a great job and frankly, it made me dig out my old Enfield .303, dust her off and take her out on...

Want's more heft.(Crossfire Letter To Guns)
September 1, 2004... Rifles, shotguns, handguns, reloading, Clint Smith, Taffin, Petty, Ayoob--now, if you just made GUNS a minimum of 150 pages an issue I'd be happy. And how about a gala Christmas issue with gift certificates from all the advertisers while you're...

Da komrade: the Tula Tokarev Model 1930/1933.(Surplus Locker)
September 1, 2004... He was 59 years old. Tall, straight as a ramrod, fit, with silver hair and a great, flowing white handlebar mustache. Fedor Vasilevich Tokarev (1871-1968) was the epitome of a Cossack from the Don River Basin of Russia. Being both a brilliant...

The 45-70: tough, tenacious and testy: modern loads for this timeless treasure.
September 1, 2004... It's as American as Mom, the flag and apple pie, and the roots of the .45-70 run deep going back nearly 140 years. When the Civil War began the first practical lever action rifle, the .44 Rimfire Henry had just arrived. It was tested for use by...

Leupold's MK4 precision rifle scope: want some stand-your-rifle-against-the-truck-and-it-falls-over -but-thank-goodness-the-scope-is-okay durability? Here it is.
September 1, 2004... Anyone with eyes must agree today's shooters have the finest sporting optics ever made available. When was the last time you heard someone wax nostalgic for their old Noske rifle scope? Not lately I'll bet, and for good reason. Today's...

Smith & Wesson's .45 Colt Mountain Gun: E-Gads! A new blue-steel n-frame. Be still my beating heart!
September 1, 2004... Oh happy day! S&W has returned to their classic roots: blue steel and wood stocks. Even though I understood the business reasons I was not entirely thrilled when S&W decided to make everything out of stainless steel. I was even less happy when...

Cylinder & slide's: school of the .45: Bill Laughridge: man of de-mystification.
September 1, 2004... Given your 'druthers, would you choose to go to a self-taught doctor or one with a prestigious sheepskin hanging on his wall? Yeah, me too. Like a lot of things in life, the best way to learn pistolsmithing is by seeking out qualified...

A pair of kings: stunning workmanship and a bit of mystery keep the past alive.
September 1, 2004... There's no doubt I'm afflicted. Anytime I go to a gun show or shop I do not look at the new stuff, I look for things falling within the rather flexible parameters of my collection. As a onetime gunsmith I especially like to look at pistols and...

Checking out the CZECH CZ's Rami .40: compact and Capable, this tiny terror delivered some surprises.
September 1, 2004... The CZ75 pistol became an icon among many handgunners when it was introduced some thirty years ago. In the three decades since, it's been cloned by multiple manufacturers, been enlarged and made smaller, been produced in polymer and steel and...

Big, bold and beautiful: Colt's New Service: or one man's talent for swiping dad's guns.
September 1, 2004... Here I am, a grown man 40 years old, I've got a wile, daughter, a really fat Chocolate Lab, car payment, huge mortgage and all the trappings going along with being grown up--and I felt just like a live year old kid caught with both hands in the...

Of Dragon's Breath and hammer-shells: from bizarre to basic, these shotshells can 'lighten-up' your life!
September 1, 2004... What's intriguing about the shotgun shell is its size and tree complexity. First, the shell is large and cylindrical. You can pack a lot of interesting loads down that tube. But secondly, the shotshell is more complex than, let's say, a round...

Peltor Comtac electronic muffs.(Out Of The Box)
September 1, 2004... We all know we should use eye and ear protection every time we shoot. Wearing safety glasses is something most shooters will do, maybe because of the gut reaction produced at the mere thought of loosing an eye. But it's far too easy to neglect...

Kimber's BP Ten II wideboy 1911.(Out Of The Box)
September 1, 2004... Over the years, the 1911 has carved a permanent niche in the hearts of Americans. However, we were rather under-whelmed with the initial high capacity polymer 1911, and I was one of those who shunned the ugly new child. But "Doctor" Kimber...

Lil' ears and big ears.(Out Of The Box)
September 1, 2004... If you've ever heard the ref's call at a football game, you know about acoustic enhancement. The technology has existed for more than a decade: A tightly focused cone for receiving audio inputs from a distance. The equipment for sporting...

Knife sharpening kits.(New products: September 2004)
September 1, 2004... From Diamond Machine Diamond Machining Technology offers an impressive variety of sharpeners and sharpening kits for all types aria brands of hunting and outdoor utility knives. Pictured is the new Model CDT62 Unbreakable Diamond-Ceramic...

Special Vanguard package.(New products: September 2004)
September 1, 2004... From Weatherby Weatherby is now offering its popular Vanguard synthetic stock hunting rifle in a new accessory package. In addition to the Vanguard, the package includes a Bushnell scope. Michael's of Oregon Uncle Mike's sling and an...

New Monterey stock.(New products: September 2004)
September 1, 2004... From Bodys' Gunstock Boyds' Gunstock Industry introduces the new Monterey Monte Carlo-style rifle stock. The Monterey is offered in Boyds' exclusive VIP inletting, which accommodates nearly every barreled action on the market. The Monterey...

Northshore folder.(New products: September 2004)
September 1, 2004... From Buck Knives Buck Knives and famed designer Tom Mayo have teamed to produce the new Model 173 Northshore high-tech folder. The Northshore is one-hand opening and features a 31/8-inch 420HC stainless steel drop-point blade and an...

New Empire ECS pistol.(New products: September 2004)
September 1, 2004... From Charles Daly Charles Daly's new Empire line of .45ACP pistols includes the compact ECS Model. The ECS has a 3.5-inch "bull" barrel, overall length of 7.25 inches, contoured thumb safety, extended high-rise beavertail grip safety,...

Ruger 10/22 videos.(New products: September 2004)
September 1, 2004... From Clark Custom Guns Lenny Magill at Gun Video is offering a pair of excellent instructional videos from Clark Custom Guns for Ruger 10/22 enthusiasts. The 10/22 Disassembly/Assembly offers 49 minutes of easy-to-follow techniques in VHS...

New Heavy Duty series.(New products: September 2004)
September 1, 2004... From Schrade Knives Schrade Knives celebrates its 100th Anniversary with a vast selection of new products, including the rugged Heavy-Duty 4x4 Series. Designed for the demands of hunters, campers, off-road drivers and outdoor enthusiasts,...

New XM binoculars.(New products: September 2004)
September 1, 2004... From Carson Optical Carson Optical has added the new XM Series binoculars to its line to fine viewing devices. The XM series offers versatile performance for shooters. hunters and outdoor enthusiasts Offered in three Dowers (8x32mm,...

Non-flammable bedding kits.(New products: September 2004)
September 1, 2004... From Brownells Brownells new non-flammable Acraglas bedding kits comply with al new safety regulations for air transport and may be shipped anywhere in the world. Customers ordering a two-gun Acraglas or Acraglas Gel kit will receive a...

"Adobe walls" rifle.(New products: September 2004)
September 1, 2004... From Cimarron Cimarron Firearms is offering a faithful reproduction of the beloved "Adobe Falls" frontiersman's rolling block rifle chambered in .45/70. Features include 30-inch octagon barrel, hand checkered walnut stock, upgraded walnut...

New CZ 527 rifles.(New products: September 2004)
September 1, 2004... From CZ-USA CZ-USA introduces two versions of its new 527 rifle line, the American and the Varmint. The CZ American is chambered in .204 Ruger and features a 22-inch, 1 in 12-inch twist sporter-weight barrel and is available with either...

Sky Cop crossdraw.(New products: September 2004)
September 1, 2004... From DeSantis Holsters The new Model 68 Sky Cop cross draw holster from DeSantis is designed for use in the seated position. The Sky Cop is crafted from premium unlined black saddle leather and accommodates most large frame semiautomatic...

Portable shooting bench.(New products: September 2004)
September 1, 2004... From DO-all Traps The "Trigger Happy" shooting bench from Do-All Traps folds down into a handy storage bag/backpack for easy transportation. The system weighs just 33 lbs. and quickly adjusts to fit any shooting style for right or left...

New shotgun/rifle combo.(New products: September 2004)
September 1, 2004... From European American Armory European American Armory has added a new combination rimfire rifle/.410 gauge shotgun to its line of quality affordable Baikal firearms. The Model IZH94 features a rimfire upper rifle chambered in either .22LR...

New Marlin guide gun.(New products: September 2004)
September 1, 2004... The popular Model 1095RL Guide Gun lever action rifle from Marlin Firearms is now available in the powerful 480 Ruger/475 Linebaugh cartridge. Key features include six-shot magazine for the 480 Ruger and five for the 475 Linebaugh, solid top...

New 16x32 StabilEyes.(New products: September 2004)
September 1, 2004... From Nikon Nikon has added a new 16x32 version to is line of innovative StabilEyes hunting binoculars. StabilEyes offers hunters rock steady views with spotting scope-like magnification in a surprisingly lightweight, compact package....

New compact flashlight.(New products: September 2004)
September 1, 2004... From Pelican Products Pelican Products has expanded its line of popular VersaBrite compact flashlights to include the new VB3 LED. The new high-impact VB3 LED has a burn time of over 100 hours and a intensity of 5.5 lumens. Designed for...

Nighthunter XP series.(New products: September 2004)
September 1, 2004... From Steiner Optics The second generation of the Nighthunter binocuolar series from Steiner Optics offers unmatched viewing clarity in extremely low light conditions. Key features include precision-crafted optical glass, coated with...

New Winchester optics.(New products: September 2004)
September 1, 2004... From Vanguard USA Vanguard USA is marketing the new Winchester brand Hunter's System scope kit. The Hunter's System includes the Winchester 12-50 x 50mm zoom spotting scope, 10 x 25 compact binocular, full-size tripod with detachable...

You can win this: Austin & Halleck model 420 classic .50 caliber in-line muzzleloader!
September 1, 2004... "Elegant" and "Timeless" have been used to describe the beautifully-constructed rifles of Austin & Halleck. The stunning fit and finish is something normally only seen on an expensive custom rifle regardless of caliber or ignition system. The...

The gun show loophole and it ain't about politics ...(Campfire Tales)
September 1, 2004... Gun shows are a wonderful American institution. Personally speaking, they cover nearly a half-century, as I attended my first-ever show at the Swiss Club in Canton, Ohio, in 1956. My memory tells me it was a wonderful experience and unlike many...