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news

Ruger to Unveil a Show-Stopper at the 2009 SHOT Show?

Ruger logoIn recent years, Sturm, Ruger & Co. have deviated from the larger, bulkier pistols they were known for and have been producing slimmer and smaller pistols such as the SR-9 and the LCP.  The SR-9 has achieved moderate success, while the Ruger LCP has been an undeniable sensation.

The question is: What will Ruger introduce at the SHOT Show?

Michael Bane has made several comments about some new firearms he has seen that will be announced at SHOT.  Bane even went so far as to refer to Ruger in his Christmas Eve podcast as the “Makers of the product that is going to absolutely, stone-cold, rock the 2009 SHOT Show in Orlando.”  That is a pretty strong statement.

Back in November, Massad Ayoob suggested that Ruger may be introducing an SP101 revolver with an alloy frame chambered in .38 Special.  While I think this would be a profitable gun for Ruger to bring to market, would it be the gun that “rocks” the SHOT Show.  I don’t think so.  After all, several other manufacturers already make lightweight .38 revolvers.

What would excite the public?  How about a 9mm LCP.  There are a lot of people that really like the LCP, but dislike the .380 ACP cartridge.  In my opinion, a LCP chambered for the 9×19 cartridge would be a big hit.  Enough to “rock” the SHOT Show?  Maybe.

How about a completely new Mini-14?  Something along the lines of a Kel-Tec SU-16, maybe.  Think of a Mini-14 that would be completely synthetic and stainless, that folds up nicely into a compact size, that can be marketed as a survival tool.  The SU-16’s are popular, but imagine the same gun with the Ruger name and Mini-14 heritage attached to it.  It might be a winning product.  And lets face it…anything .223 is selling right now.

I do not believe that Ruger will be announcing a new full-sized pistol that would cut into the SR9 market.  I also can’t see a new 10-22 being terribly revolutionary.  I expect that the “show-stopper” Bane has predicted is coming from the concealed carry market or the black rifle market.

Regardless, stay tuned.  I will bring you all of the new product announcements from the SHOT show.

Update: The gun was the Ruger LCR. I don’t know if it was quite the show stopper that Bane claimed, but it certainly was popular.

Categories
Handguns

Smith and Wesson M&P Line Now Features Thumb Safeties

Smith and Wesson is now producing all of the M&P pistols with optional thumb safety.

The ambidextrous manual safety is now available on the full-sized and compact 9mm, .40 S&W, and .357 Sig.  The manual safety was originally developed by S&W for the M&P 45, which was developed for the U.S. armed forces trials that never happened.  Now the safety has been carried over to the rest of the M&P line as an option.

All specs on the M&P pistols with the thumb safety remain the same as the pistols without the manual safety.  The thumb safeties are large and easy to manipulate.  They are designed to mimic the 1911-style safeties but are easier to operate.

While the 1911 was an amazing military gun for its time, if the military is serious about upgrading sidearms, they need to abandon the 1911 concept and go after what works.  Frankly, the most reliable handguns on the market today are the polymer-framed, striker-fired handguns that do not have a bunch of switches, safeties and doo-dads.  The Glock line of handguns and the M&P (sans safety) help prove that point.

I’m not suggesting the 1911 is not a fine firearm because it is.  I’ve got a Colt 1911A1 in my safe right now.  But it is in my safe.  The gun on my hip right now is a Glock 19.  Why?  Because the G19 is just more reliable.  And in a violent encounter, I’m not looking for style points, I want a pistol that will reliably put holes in the target and stop the threat.

MSRP runs $719 for the full-sized and compact pistols, with the exception of the .357 Sig models, which list at $727.

smith & wesson m&p thumb safety2009 SHOT Show Update

At the SHOT Show, I got to see the new guns.  I worked with several different M&P pistols and found the safeties worked very well.  I wasn’t sure I would like them, but they were easy to manipulate, clicked smartly into place, and did not interfere with my grip.  I don’t know that I would order an M&P with a thumb safety, but I certainly would consider it.

Categories
General Information

Gun Gifts: Christmas Shopping Ideas For The Firearms Enthusiast In Your Life

Trying to figure out what to buy the gun-guy or gal in your life for Christmas?  Here are a few ideas:

Less Than $20

In the Gravest Extreme, Stressfire, and the The Gun Digest Book Of Concealed Carry are all excellent books written by Massad Ayoob.  I highly recommend each of them.  Another very good book for someone interested in self protection is Armed Response: A Comprehensive Guide to Using Firearms for Self-Defense by David Kenick, which I reviewed here.

Most ammunition can be purchased for less than $20/box.  For a single box, your local dealer is probably the best vendor.  For a larger quantity or for harder to find calibers, an online vendor like Natchez Shooters Supply, AmmoMan, or Midway USA is the best bet.

Speaking of ammunition, quality AR-15 magazines can still be had for less than $20. My favorites are the Bownells with the Magpul anti-tilt followers, but I also like the Magpul PMAG polymer magazines.  Brownells is shipping as quickly as they come in, so if you order ASAP, they will likely be shipped before Christmas.

Bore brushes, cleaning patches, solvents, and oils are always needed and a good idea as a stocking stuffer. My current favorite CLP is from Rand Innovations. Check out my review here.

Less Than $50

A NRA membership is perhaps the most important gun-related gift anyone can give this year.  $25 includes a magazine of your choice plus all of the standard benefits such as firearms insurance, life insurance, legislative updates, and much more.

Handgun magazines are a useful gift.  (The metal/polymer kind, not the paper mailed to you monthly kind.)  With the run on all-things-gun, certain magazines, such as the Glock, have gotten more expensive ($25-30 typically), but almost all common handgun magazines can be had for $35 or less.

More Than $50

A high intensity flashlight such as the inexpensive SureFire G2 Defender or the ultra-powerful Streamlight ProTac HL 3 are excellent choices for tactical lighting.

streamlight and batteries

If your someone special owns a J-frame Smith and Wesson revolver, the Crimson Trace LG-405 Grips are an excellent purchase!  Trust me, you surprise your significant other with a set of these, things are very good on Christmas morning!

While an AR-15 is certainly more sexy, the ubiquitous .22 rimfire rifle is a fun rifle to shoot plus it is inexpensive to purchase and keep fed with rimfire ammo.  Nearly every rifle maker has at least one .22 rimfire in their line.  Ruger’s 10-22 is pretty much the gold standard, but I really like the inexpensive, tube fed Marlin 60, which can be had for less than $150 at your local dealer or even WalMart.

Price Is No Object

If price is not a consideration, a training at the Safety Solutions Academy, Gunsite or Massad Ayoob Group. Even better, arrange a private corporate shooting event in Ohio that can include machine guns, armored vehicles and cannons.

Cute Blonde Training with Pistol

Categories
Rifles

Ruger Mini-14 Tactical Stocks

I’ve had several people recently inquire about the availability of aftermarket stocks for the Ruger Mini-14.  Specifically, they were interested in tactical style stocks for the Mini-14.  There are two Mini-14 stocks I suggest people consider if they are looking for something more tactical for their Ruger: the TAPCO and the ATI stocks.

TAPCO is a company based in Kennesaw, GA, that has been involved in the firearms industry for many years now.  I recall stopping into their offices back during the Clinton years and buying SKS stripper clips from them when I still lived and worked in that area.  The TAPCO people are good folks.

TAPCO manufactures a Mini-14 replacement stock called the FUSION system.  The FUSION system is a complete stock replacement that gives the owner a M4 style, adjustable buttstock, SAW-style pistol grip, and a Picatinny rail on the top and the bottom of the barrel cover.  Other nice features about the FUSION system include the pistol grip has a storage compartment, the lower rail has a removable cover, the system is available in black, dark earth, and olive drab colors, and the system works with the Mini-14 in .223 or 6.8 SPC plus the Mini-30.  MSRP is $129.99 and is worth every penny.

Advanced Technology, Inc. (ATI) manufactures glass-filled, injection-molded stocks for a wide variety of firearms. ATI recently introduced the Ruger Mini-14 Strikeforce Package, which gives your Mini-14 a definite tactical look and feel.

The Strikeforce gives the Mini-14 four Picatinny rails on the forend of the stock and molded inserts to cover them when they are not in use.  The Strikeforce also features a folding, six-position adjustable buttstock that can store batteries in the tube. The stock has a pistol grip and a removable/adjustable 3/8″ cheekrest.

The Strikeforce MSRP is less expensive than the TAPCO at only $109, but only comes in black.

Categories
Ammunition

.338 Marlin Express LEVEREvolution Ammo From Hornady

The .338 Marlin Express is the ‘427 big block’ of lever gun cartridges according to Hornady.  Hornady states the .338 Marlin is the first “long-range, big game, lever gun specific cartridge.” Introduced by Marlin in October, the firearm has not yet been posted on the Marlin site, but should be listed in the upcoming 2009 catalog.

Using a 200-grain FTX bullet common to the LEVEREvolution line, the Hornady loading of the .338 Marlin Express shows a muzzle velocity of 2565 fps (2921 ft/lb) that maintains 1991 fps (1760 ft/lb) at 300 yards with only a 7.8″ drop.  Hornady says the .338 Marlin is “based loosely on the 376 Steyr.”

This is the only load for this caliber from Hornady.  Hornaday often loads ammo for the smaller, niche calibers.  While it is great they are making a LevereRevolution load for the .338 Marlin Express, it would be great to see another load from them in this caliber.  I don’t know if there is enough of a following to justify its development, but it would be great from this consumer’s viewpoint.