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TNT Green Ammo: New Varmint Ammunition From Federal and CCI

TNT Green Ammo: New Varmint Ammunition From Federal and CCI

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Federal Cartridge Company and CCI have introduced a new bullet design for varmint hunting: the TNT Green.

The TNT Green ammo uses a totally lead free bullet that “couples explosive expansion with match-grade accuracy.” The ammunition uses non-toxic technology and appears to be a direct competitor for Barnes Bullets’ Varmint Grenade.

Federal and CCI state the ammunition should be on the shelves by spring 2008. Initially, the TNT Green ammo will be loaded for .222, .223, 22-250, and .22 WMR.  Bullet weights will run from 30 grains (for the 22 Magnum) to 43 grains for the centerfire cartridges.  These light weights are great for varmint hunting.  They are generally flat shooters and will dynamically expand on impact with the target.

Update:  CCI is now offering a 16 grain TNT Green JHP load for the 17 HMR cartridge.  This rimfire is rated at 2500 fps at the muzzle, which works out to about 222 ft-lbs of energy.  The 17 HMR has become very popular among varmint hunters and target shooters for the great downrange accuracy these cartridges deliver.  Fortunately for the HMR fans, CCI is now making this ammo for them as well.

Additional Update:  Federal is now loading the bullet for the .22 Hornet cartridge.  This load uses a 30 grain bullet, likely identical to the 22 WMR bullet, and makes for 3150 fps at the muzzle.  With this addition, there are now a total of six different loads using these TNT bullets.  Growth is always good for a line of ammo.

If you’ve had any experiences with this ammunition, would you please leave a review of it in the comments?  I know that the readers would like to hear first hand experiences with these loads.

Galco AutoLock Matrix Holsters

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The new Galco AutoLock Matrix holsters are an affordable way to secure your weapon when carrying concealed.  Even with your firearm under a cover garment, you still might be targeted for a gun grab.  Having a simple way to lock the gun into the holster can give you that moment to recover from the initial attack and gain control over the pistol.  This is even more important for people exercising their open carry rights.

The new new paddle holsters are being brought to the market in the first quarter of 2008. Based on their popular Matrix line of paddle holsters, the new AutoLock holster securely locks the firearm into place without the use of straps or external snaps.

According to Scott Feck, the V.P. of Operations for Galco Gunleather, a standard gripping motion releases the lock, allowing the wearer to present the weapon in a very smooth, fast process.  Feck suggests that the locking mechanism does not interfere with the natural drawing motion, which is important when presenting the pistol in a stress situation.  If you have to fumble with the holster, precious seconds tick away – seconds that literally could be your last.

[Read more…] about Galco AutoLock Matrix Holsters

CZ USA VZ 58 Rifles

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cz vz-58

CZ-USA has begun importing the VZ 58 semi-auotmatic rifle into the USA. The rifle is chambered in the widely available 7.62×39 cartridge commonly associated with the SKS and AK-47 rifles. The VZ 58 looks like an AK-47 variant, but there are some significant differences.

“Everyone thinks it is an AK-variant,” said Agnus Hobdale of CZ-USA. “It is not an AK-variant.”

There are some significant differences between the AK-47 and the VZ 58. First, and perhaps most importantly, CZ-USA states that no AK parts are interchangable with the VZ rifles. Additional differences include:

  • The VZ 58 has a milled receiver, not a stamped receiver typical to the AK-47.
  • The VZ 58 bolt locks open after the last cartridge is fired.
  • The VZ 58 is striker fired, not hammer fired.
  • The VZ 58 has a larger ejection port.

CZ-USA also claims the VZ is easier to field strip, has a more natural point of aim, and a more ergonomic safety. While these are truly subjective, they do suggest several changes that may not be readily apparent until you handle one.  Many people believe that the VZ 58 is a superior firearm when compared to the typical AK-47.  Some like to say that the VZ has the reliability of the AK with the refinement of an AR.  I imagine that this, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.

The VZ 58 comes in two styles. the Military Sporter is a semi-auto version of the current issue rifle to the troops of the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The military sporter features wood impregnated plastic stocks. The Tactical Sporter features a Zytel, thumbhole-type of stock.

Both VZ 58’s are available now and ship with a thirty round magazine and cleaning kit. The Military Sporter retails for $970, while the Tactical Sporter retails for $990. Additional 30 round CZ magazines are $39 each. CZ-USA says that the rifles are selling quickly.

The Dangers of Intervention: A Commentary by Evan Marshall

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mom daughter pistol shootEvan Marshall is a retired Detroit PD police officer who spent 20 years going into harm’s way for total strangers. In his police service, Marshall worked on the street, as a homicide detective, and on the tactical unit. Outside of the law enforcement community, Marshall is known to most people as an author and firearms instructor.

Marshall wrote an editorial piece called “The Dangers of Intervention.” In this commentary he attempts to illustrate the very real dangers associated with intervening in situations you might observe. Marhsall’s observations about this deadly serious topic are blunt and accurate. Marshall’s article is well worth reading…twice.

Getting involved in the disputes of others is a difficult and dangerous thing.  Sometimes, things are not what they seem.  When you get involved, you might find that the person you are attempting to help is really the “bad guy.”  What then?  What if the person you perceive as the bad guy is an undercover police officer?  Things can go badly very quickly.  How do you think things will go if you shoot a cop – even if you “thought” you were doing the right thing?

Be very careful if you decide to get involved in other people’s problems.  You might discover that their problems have made your position extremely bad.

Some situations may be obvious – a guy walking through a shopping mall and randomly shooting innocent people, for example.  If you have the shot, take it.  But many more situations are not so obvious.  You might walk up on a woman and man fighting.  Many men will immediately think the woman is the victim, but perhaps she is a prostitute trying to get away from a cop.  Or perhaps it is a drug rip off where she just tried to rob the dealer.  In that case all parties are bad guys and you want no part of that confrontation.

2008 NRA Annual Meeting: May 15-18 in Louisville, KY

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2012 NRA ShowThe National Rifle Association Annual Meeting is being held in Louisville, Kentucky this May 15-18.

The annual meetings are a great way to get energized for the coming year’s legislative battles, enjoy the fellowship of fellow gun owners, and see all of the new guns, holsters, and gear that the manufacturers are bringing to market. This year’s Celebration of American Values banquet will feature talk show host Glenn Beck.

Make sure you stop by the NRA site and see everything that this year’s meeting has to offer.  There will be a whole plethora of new guns for 2008 on display by all of the manufacturers who exhibit during the expo.  Unlike the annual SHOT Show, the NRA annual meeting gets the consumers in contact with the gun makers.  This is the only chance many people have to go hands-on with all of the new guns and gear that will ship in 2008.  That alone is probably worth the price of admission.

Do not forget to check out our page on trade show coverage.  Members of our team go to the NRA show, SHOT Show, NASGW expo and many other events throughout the year.  We do our best to bring you the best coverage of all of the new shooting stuff that will be on your dealer’s shelves in the coming months.  Need new hunting gear?  How about ammo or reloading equipment?  It will all be on display at the show in Kentucky.

Louisville is a great venue, and gun owners will really like the event here.  Whereas the SHOT Show seems to be stuck in Las Vegas, the NRA likes to move around so more of the members have a chance to attend an event.  It is also nice seeing the revenue go to cities and states that are not rabidly anti-freedom like DC, San Francisco, New York and Chicago.

Jay Wallace and Adventure Outdoors: Under Attack by Bloomberg

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As many of you know, New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg launched a “private sting” in which he hired private citizens to make straw purchases at gun stores in states other than New York. Bloomberg, an outspoken critic of personal liberty and the Second Amendment, subsequently filed lawsuits against 15 gun stores claiming the gun stores were “rogue dealers” that were responsible for guns being used in New York city crimes.

In the March 2008 issue of America’s First Freedom, Marshall Lewin writes about the lawsuit and two of the gun dealers that are fighting back. One of the hard working dealers who is fighting Bloomberg is Jay Wallace of Adventure Outdoors in Smyrna, Georgia.

I’m sure Jay would never remember me, however, I remember him, his staff, and his store very clearly. Years ago, Jay sold me my first gun: a Smith and Wesson Model 10 with a 4″ heavy barrel. I carried this gun in uniform for several years, and it helped me get home safely every night.

When I decided to purchase a back-up gun, Adventure Outdoors sold me my Smith and Wesson 642. When I went to work for a nearby Sheriff’s Department, who sold me my Glock? Yep, Jay Wallace and Adventure Outdoors. Jay and his staff were there for me again when I went back looking for a baby Glock to back-up my full-sized pistol.

And don’t ask how much money I have spent on ammo at Jay’s business.

Let me say this very clearly: Jay Wallace is a class act. Jay and his staff were always friendly and fair. Jay Wallace is not a “rogue dealer” who is involved in criminal activity. Jay is simply a victim in the war on guns and personal liberty.

Jay has set up Bloomberg Fight Back Fund, a website that describes some of the actions he is taking to turn the tables on Bloomberg. Jay also needs help in financing his legal defense, and his counter-suit against Bloomberg. If you can, donate a little money to his legal fund. If Jay and the other dealers lose the suits Bloomberg has brought, we all will suffer.