Smith & Wesson Model 629 Stealth Hunter

by: Richard Johnson 2 Comments

The Smith and Wesson Performance Center is now producing a special Model 629 revolver called the Stealth Hunter. The Stealth Hunter was built from the ground up to provide a superb handgun hunting platform.

The Stealth Hunter features:

Ball Detent Lock-up
Forged Color Case Trigger with Over-travel Stop
Forged Color Case Hammer
Old-School Pinned Sear
MagnaPorted Barrel
Aluminum Performance Center Case

The barrel is 7 1/2″ long, making the overall length of the 629 just under 13″ at 12.9″. Sights are fully adjustable with a red ramp front that is dovetailed into place and a blade notch rear sight. However, most hunters will probably opt to add a scope or reflex sight on the mount.

The revolver holds six rounds of the powerful Magnum ammunition. Â It will, of course, also shoot 44 Special loads. Â The gun can be fired single action or double action. Â Weight is 56 ounces without ammo loaded. Â The synthetic grip is labeled Smith & Wesson, but is made by Hogue.

Houston Man with CCW Permit Shoots Would-Be Carjacker in Self Defense

by: Richard Johnson Leave a Comment

A Houston man shot and killed a criminal who had pointed a gun at him and tried to force him into a car.

Fortunately, the victim had a CCW (carry concealed weapon) permit and was able to defend himself with his firearm. When the criminal tried to force the victim into the car at gun point, the victim produced his own firearm and saved his own life. The criminal, who fled in a car with another person, died a short time later. The driver of the get-away car was arrested by police.

This is yet another example of how people must be an active participant in their own survival. The victim recognized that a criminal who would try to kidnap him at gunpoint was an imminent threat to his his life. The victim had the tools (the will to win and a gun) to fight back and win.

I suppose this is another one of those stories that the media “forgets” when it comes to guns saving lives. Â As a former police officer, I saw far more people who saved themselves with a firearm than were harmed by them. Â One such incident involved a woman who was attacked by two men who followed her off the highway into a pharmacy parking lot. Â When they approached her and tried to get her out of her truck, she pulled her handgun. Â The two would-be rapists then fled.

Ruger M77 Hawkeye Rifles in .300 and .338 RCM

by: Richard Johnson 3 Comments

Sturm, Ruger & Co. introduced two new M77 “extreme hunting rifles” using cartridges developed by Hornady. These rifles are offered in .300 RCM and .338 RCM. RCM stands for Ruger Compact Magnum and were developed by Hornady using the latest in smokeless powders.

The .300 RCM in a 20″ barrel matches the ballistics of the .300 Winchester Magnum from a 24.5″ barrel, while the .338 RCM with a 20″ barrel matches the ballistics of the .338 Winchester Magnum from a 24.5″ barrel, said Stephen L. Sanetti, the president of Ruger.

In addition to the shorter length, the new RCM rifles also feature a short action and come standard with a recoil pad, LC6 trigger, steel floorplate, and more. Each rifle can be had with a blued barrel and American walnut stock, or a stainless barrel and a black synthetic stock. Each M77 retails for $995.

Update (Jan 2013) – Since the original introduction of these cartridges, Ruger no longer makes the M77 in 300 RCM or 338 RCM. Â However, the company is still making rifles chambered for these two calibers.

Springfield XD with Thumb Safety

by: Richard Johnson 37 Comments

Springfield Armory introduced a new version of the popular .45 ACP XD Service Pistol. This model adds an ambidextrous thumb safety on the frame that closely mirrors the function of thumb safeties on the 1911 handguns. The thumb safety was placed far back on the frame to make it relatively easy to manipulate.

The Springfield XD pistols have been described by some as a modern day 1911, and in fact the Springfield XD does draw much of it’s inspiration from the 1911. I have talked with numerous 1911 shooters who were never impressed by the Glock pistols, but who are enamored with the XD line. Â Many 1911 shooters appreciate the grip safety that is standard on XD pistols. Â 1911 handguns also use a grip safety.

The Springfield XD has not had a thumb safety until this model. Â For devotees of John Moses Browning, the addition of the thumb safety makes this a much closer pistol to the modernized 1911 concept.

Taurus 845 .45 ACP Pistol

by: Richard Johnson 17 Comments

Just announced is the Taurus 845 pistol chambered in the very popular .45 ACP cartridge. Â This completes the company’s 800-series of firearms which includes the original 809 in 9mm and the also new 840 in .40 S&W.

The new 845 uses a double stack magazine which holds 12 rounds. Â Including one in the chamber, that gives the shooter 13 rounds of .45, which is enough to end nearly any fight.

The new 840 packs a 17+1 capacity if you are interested in that handgun.

Taurus 845 Pistol

caliber	.45 ACP
standard magazine capacity	12 rounds
barrel length	4"
safety	three position manual
MSRP	$497.00

All of the pistols in the 800 series are polymer framed and strike fired. Additionally, all of the pistols have the “second strike” capability, which is a feature that a growing number of shooters desire. The 800 series pistols have an external thumb safety/decocker.

Bob Morrison, President of Taurus International, said on Tom Gresham’s Gun Talk that all three of the pistols were in production now, and that they would be on the shelves in April.

Barnes Reloading Manual No. 4

by: Richard Johnson Leave a Comment

Jessica Brooks of Barnes Bullets Inc. announced on Tom Gresham’s Gun Talk radio program that the fourth Barnes Bullets reloading manual, Barnes Reloading Manual Number 4, is set to arrive in two months. So, by April, we should see a newly updated and expanded loading manual for all of those innovative bullets Barnes has been producing.

Barnes is taking pre-orders for the book on their website. For $49.99 you get a hard bound edition of the book, plus they are including their ballistics program, a hat, and access to more data on their website.

Update: Â The new reloading manual is out and it is an amazing reference. Â If you are doing any kind of handloading, I strongly suggest you pick this up and give it a place on your bench. Â If you are loading any of Barnes’ own bullets, it is a must have.

They crew did a lot of research and added a bunch of new calibers and load recipes to the manual, including all of theÂ company’sÂ latest bullet offerings.