Arma - Guns & Ammo 1
Arma - Guns & Ammo 1
Arma - Guns & Ammo 1
DECEMBER 2020
FIRST LOOK!
MADE
SIG ROMEO2:
A SEQUEL THAT’S
BIGGER AND
BETTER. P. 40
UINTAH
PRECISION
#LEUPOLDCORE
TAKE THE HIGH GROUND.
AB3 Hunter
browning.com
GUNS & AMMO Decemb er 2020 | VO LU ME 64, NU MB ER 1 2 | PU BLI SH ED M ONTHLY
C ON TE NTS
by eric r.poole
SIG SAUER
subscriber cover
features a new
bolt-action
AR-15 upper that
extracts the long-
ROMEO2
range accuracy
potential from
Hornady’s 6mm
ARC. p. 30
COVER PHOTOS: MICHAEL ANSCHUETZ AND MARK FINGAR, ABOVE PHOTO: MICHAEL ANSCHUETZ
30
NOT ANOTHER AR
46
LAST LINE: THE TRIARI
56
2020 GUNS & AMMO
74
COMBAT ELITE
OF THE YEAR
Uintah Precision’s Named for Rome’s warrior An introduction
UP-15 in 6mm ARC is elite, Kimber’s latest Micro The best of what’s to three distinct
the bolt-action rifle you 9 offers today’s defenders new and innovative two-tone Model
didn’t see coming. an option that’s ready and or 2020. 1911s from Colt.
by tom beckstrand able to answer the call. staff report by keith wood
by joe kurtenbach
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1)
december 2020
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complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading
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d ec em b e r 2 0 2 0 G& A 15
Sacred Stone of the
read history. Mr. Vance, I suggest you
start with “The Federalist Papers.”
Perry Galloway
Southwest is on the
Bowie, Texas
Brink of Extinction
INFRINGEMENT
Gentlemen, with regards to Keith
Wood’s article, “2020 Best States for
C
enturies ago,
Persians,
Tibetans and
“With depleting mines,
turquoise, the most
Concealed Carry” in the September Mayans considered
turquoise a gemstone sacred stone to the
issue, it made me depressed to see Navajo, has become
of the heavens,
how the U.S. Constitution is being believing the striking increasingly rare.”
violated. The 2nd Amendment is blue stones were B. –– Smithsonian.com
distinctly worded, saying “The right sacred pieces of sky.
of the people to keep and bear arms Today, the rarest
shall not be infringed.” Wake up and most valuable
America and stand up for your rights! turquoise is found
Jim Schaefer
in the American
Southwest–– but
Parker, Arizona the future of
the blue beauty
NO MORE .32? is unclear.
I recently purchased a new Charter On a recent trip to Tucson, we spoke with
A.
Arms Professional revolver, a seven- fourth generation turquoise traders who
shooter. At the time, I also purchased explained that less than five percent of turquoise
two boxes of .32 H&R Magnum for my mined worldwide can be set into jewelry and
new gun and 100 rounds of .32 S&W only about twenty mines in the Southwest
supply gem-quality turquoise. Once a thriving
Long. It’s a good thing I did, too.
industry, many Southwest mines have run dry
Since then, I cannot find any .32 Mag- and are now closed.
num ammo in my area. I can under- We found a limited supply of turquoise from
stand the current shortages of 9mm, Arizona and snatched it up for our Sedona
.380 ACP and .45 ACP, but what’s with Turquoise Collection. Inspired by the work
the sold-out .32 calibers? I hope that of those ancient craftsmen and designed to
.32 Magnum ammo won’t be rele- showcase the exceptional blue stone, each
gated to being no longer available. It stabilized vibrant cabochon features a unique, Necklace
one-of-a-kind matrix surrounded in Bali enlarged
is a fine little round. What might your
metalwork. You could drop over $1,200 on a to show
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ical climate, as well as the long-term
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Jewelry Specifications:
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ing to cease production of .32-caliber
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ON JULY 1, 2020, it was announced that PolyOne would process wasn’t practical or scalable until the scientists and
change its name to Avient, a new word for a new kind of engineers working at Avient developed special polymer
specialty materials company. Who are they? Besides devel- composites up to the task. As a result of Avient’s efforts,
oping and manufacturing thermoplastics that are widely polymer-case offerings are rapidly expanding and new
used by the automotive, aircraft and marine industries, benefits are being exploited. For instance, polymer cases
Avient’s polymers are also found in such benign products as cause less friction during extraction, reduce wear and keep
flexible toothbrushes, waterproof boots, solar panels, and chambers cooler. Cases are lightweight, can also be made
even casings on X-ray machines! You may not have realized biodegradable, and unlike metal cartridges they can’t be
that one company was behind so many everyday items, and reloaded and reused by enemy combatants who may scav-
it’s likely that you were not aware that enge them from the battlefield.
Avient also supports the firearm and As an industry insider, I’ve been
outdoor industries. following Avient’s efforts to develop
Located in Avon Lake, Ohio, Avient polymers to support the demand for
has a “challenge accepted” approach a polymer-case cartridge. The former
to developing next-generation PolyCase turned to PolyOne to devel-
materials. Avient creates sustainable oped the polymer-copper matrix used
material solutions for their customers, in Inceptor Ammunition’s ARX bullet.
which include manufacturers within the The U.S. Army’s Next-Generation
firearm industry. Challenges, therefore, Squad Weapon (NGSW) is a systems
become new opportunities. program, meaning that the contract
Do you shoot a firearm equipped will include a rifle, machine gun, sup-
with a recoil pad? There’s a good pressor and optic, as well as special-
chance that Avient formulated the ized ammunition. That system is based
polymers used in it to absorb and around a futuristic 6.8mm cartridge,
disperse a gunshot’s energy. Have you which will likely feature a polymer
noticed that many colored polymer case. Of the brands who submitted
stocks don’t fade overtime as they use bids to support NGSW, True Velocity
to? That’s another credit to Avient. and Winchester use uniquely formu-
Avient acquired Clariant’s Masterbatch lated polymers that were manufac-
division on the same day as their name tured, molded and shipped by Avient.
change, which merged Clariant MB Other companies are also exploring
and PolyOne Color and Additives into polymer-case cartridge technology
one business. Combined, this merger developed in partnership with Avient.
made Avient the leader of color and additive technologies. In the next year, you’ll see major brands unveiling low-cost
Where innovative manufacturers don’t have access or can’t ammunition for 5.56 NATO featuring Avient’s polymers in
afford to invest in their own polymer engineering, many their cases, for example.
turn to Avient to make ideas reality and reduce the risk of Though Avient may not be a household name among
wasting money on failed experiments and prototypes. firearm enthusiasts, it is nonetheless a major force that
In recent years, there has been a lot of interest in incor- is shaping the future of outdoor products. The company
porating polymer components in ammunition manufacture. employs more than 100 scientists, mechanical and chem-
That’s no small feat considering the temperatures, pres- ical engineers, and has manufacturing facilities and com-
PHOTO: MARK FINGAR
sures and environmental influences a cartridge is subject mercial associates in 45 countries. Avient’s global reach is
to. Jack W. Roske filed a patent for a plastic case joined unmatched in their category. You may not be familiar with
with a metal cup back in 1950, and there were other pio- the brand, but Avient is likely the biggest company behind
neers to lighten cases and make them disposable, but the the products you enjoy the most.
GU N ROOM december 2020 G&A 19
IDENTIFICATION
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R E A L A V I D . C O M
THE HUNT
NEVER ENDS
™
NO REASON
TO MISS THE SEASON
SHOOTING COMPETITIONS
T OM B ECKST RAN D
NOBODY WANTS TO SUCK. Get a bunch of guys It’s easy to dismiss an event like that as “just a competi-
together for a friendly shooting match and, sooner or later, tion,” or, as I’ve heard many in military and law enforcement
it’ll get serious. I’ve never known a guy to give even a circles say, “it’s different when the targets shoot back.”
friendly competition his half-effort. Those are both rationalizations that prevent the rifleman
The best way for all of us to get better as riflemen is to from ever progressing past his current proficiency level.
compete with One of my
others. I learned favorite inspira-
this lesson while tional quotes is
I was in the a little harsh, but
military. When it reads: “Don’t
I was on the com- be upset by the
bat pistol team results you didn’t
at West Point, get with the work
the matches we you didn’t do.” I
attended were didn’t get upset
against other ser- with my com-
vice academies, paratively poor
and the sport performance,
was still new. While the competition was serious for us, it because it provided me with the beginnings of an edu-
was a far cry from what occurred at the national level. Still, cation on what was possible with a rifle. Having my eyes
competition helped me identify areas where my shooting opened was a gift for which I was thankful.
needed improvement. This is an important lesson and one that I encourage all
My next foray into competitive shooting occurred when rifle shooters to learn, and learning it sooner is better than
I was a sniper team leader in 3rd Special Forces Group. My later. The best way to do this is to attend either a PRS or
teammate, Tung Nguyen, encouraged me to accompany National Rifle League (NRL) match. These matches occur at
him to the Army Small Arms championship where we shot the national level and draw talented shooters into a public
the long-range event. Tung won and helped re-kindle my event, shooters that would otherwise be invisible.
love for competitive shooting. I had the opportunity to attend the 2020 Hornady Pre-
I finally found the shooting competitions I most enjoy cision Rifle Challenge in Evanston, Wyoming. It reminded
when I attended my first Precision Rifle Series (PRS) match me of the first PRS match I attended several years ago. The
in 2013. It was a match held in New Mexico and some of difference this time was that I knew my lack of preparation
the guys I had never met before the match are still good was going to hurt me, so I went to the match to shake
friends to this day. out some new gear and reconnect with old friends. I shot
As I checked in to the match, I figured I would do well. in the Production class and finished in the top half, but it
I assumed that because I was a former sniper team leader was still one of my worst performances. However, pain is
and a Green Beret that I would finish in the top 20 percent, a wonderful instructor and painful lessons are most easily
even though I was new to this type of competition. It remembered. So, I thought I’d pass on a few lessons I
sounds ridiculous writing it now, but I certainly underesti- learned, or re-learned, during the course of that match.
mated the abilities of my fellow competitors. The more familiar a rifleman is with his rifle, the better
This match is where I learned my most valuable shooting he will perform with it, but simply possessing the rifle
lesson, and one that continues to serve me well to this day. for a long time is no guarantee of strong performance. I
I got crushed, and it was by a bunch of guys who had never attended this match with a new rifle that I borrowed just
served in the military or law enforcement. I learned I had no for the event, and it had an adjustable trigger that I set
idea how much I didn’t know until I saw scores of riflemen as light as I dared. By about stage three of the match, I
perform at a level I had never witnessed until then. realized that I had gone too light. Cycling the bolt quickly
28 G& A dec em b er 2 0 2 0 | r if l e s & GlA ss
would cause the sear to slip off the cocking piece, forcing
me to lift the bolt handle a second time before I could
fire the rifle. This is one of the reasons many “adjustable”
triggers on factory guns aren’t really adjustable. Many of us
want them as light as possible, but when a shooter tunes
the trigger down too much, he often wants to blame it on
the manufacturer. Most gunmakers don’t want the grief.
Rifle and optic issues are rare at the range, but com-
mon at PRS matches. If you’ve heard someone state, “my
rifle shoots just as well as that really expensive rifle,” it’s a
good indicator of someone who doesn’t know what they
don’t know. There’s a big
difference between a rifle the same principles.
that can shoot a few tiny For example, I was on a
groups at the range and bear hunt in Alaska recently
one that can do it all day, when an opportunity for a
for a couple days straight, shot presented itself. I was
in whatever conditions on one riverbank and the
mother nature serves up. grizzly was 410 yards away
Watching even high-dollar on a gravel bar. I could
rifles and optics struggle almost hear the start buzzer
under match-shooting sound in my head as I leapt
conditions is a great way to into action.
identify what expenses are I grabbed a set of
worth the money. shooting sticks that were
PRS matches like the Hornady Precision Rifle Challenge lying nearby and borrowed another hunter’s backpack.
are the best way to gain an education on how to shoot in I sat on a steep hillside, put the forend on the shooting
the field. Lying in the prone or shooting from a bench is sticks, leaned back against the hill and stuffed the back-
certainly convenient, but prone is rare on a hunt and I’ve pack under the stock’s toe. This was one of the most
never shot a game animal from a shooting bench. Both stable shooting positions I’ve ever had on a hunt and it
shooting positions are also rare in combat. was almost identical to many positions I’ve created at
Both hunting and combat require the shooter to PRS matches over the years. Those matches are where I
develop the best shooting position he can with whatever is learned to build positions this way.
immediately available. A PRS match allows the shooter to Spending the time and effort to get to a match is the
practice under stressful conditions and, more importantly, surest and fastest way to improve with a rifle. Know ahead
watch others do the same. Watching how the best shoot- of time that there’s a very high probability of being beaten
ers in the country quickly get stable and get hits on target by most of the competitors. However, if a guy watches and
is a real-time demonstration of what works in that scenario. learns from those competitors, he’ll come away a better
Over time, the new shooter learns to identify and apply rifleman for it.
S P O R T
SAFETY SOUNDS
BETTER THAN EVER.
3M.com/PeltorSport
© 3M 2020. All rights reserved. 3M and Peltor are trademarks of 3M. The Bluetooth® word mark and logos
Official Sponsor are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by 3M is under license.
30 G& A dec em b er 2 0 2 0
d ecem b er 2020 G& A 31
ANOTHER
PHOTOS BY MARK FINGAR
AR
UINTAH PRECISION’S UP-15 IN
6MM ARC IS THE BOLT-ACTION
RIFLE YOU DIDN’T SEE COMING.
WHEN I FIRST HEARD of a bolt-action AR-pattern rifle from Utah-
based Uintah Precision (pronounced “yoo-in-tuh”), I assumed it was
for states where freedoms are restricted. But, once I got my hands
on the UP-15 rifle, I knew that while those in regulation-happy
states will certainly appreciate the effort, so will everyone else.
32 G& A dec em b er 2 0 2 0 | no t An oth e r Ar
AR Ergonomics Precision bolt-action rifles are hot right now also pairs well with anyone invested in standard AR-15-pattern
with the explosion of the Precision Rifle Series (PRS) and the rifles. Not only are the ergonomics the same, but many of the
National Rifle League (NRL). One of the trends moving into parts are as well.
the bolt-gun world is the presence of AR-15 ergonomics. With The UP-15 is a complete rifle that uses a standard AR-15
Barrett’s win as the Special Operations Command’s (SOCOM) lower. This makes it simple for anyone looking to experiment
Mk 22 Advanced Sniper Rifle (ASR), SIG Sauer’s launch of the because they can purchase just the upper receiver, designated
long-awaited Cross ($1,779), and The Fix by Q ($3,299), AR “UPR15” ($1,088), and then drop it on their rifle. For reference,
ergonomics on precision rifles are becoming more popular. while the UPR15 pairs with any standard AR-15 lower and
The reason for this trend is obvious: generations of riflemen magazine, the company’s UPR10 ($1,875) functions with any
have been trained with and are familiar with the AR-15. It DPMS-pattern AR-10 lower and magazine. Quality magazines
makes it much easier to transition back and forth between semi- are plentiful and low-cost for both types of rifles. When pur-
automatic and bolt-action rifles if controls such as the magazine chased as a complete rifle, the UP-15 uses almost all of the same
release and safety are in the same place. The UP-15 tested here small parts as would be found in a generic AR-15 lower parts
no t ano ther ar | d ecem b er 2020 G& a 33
on closer inspection, the bolt handle and the receiver’s raceway the bolt is a three-lug design with a hook extractor and plunger-
cuts give away the fact that the UP-15 is no ordinary semiauto. style ejector (below). Very tight manufacturing tolerances mean
Uintah Precision also offers bolt-action UPr15 upper receivers. bolts are virtually interchangeable in Uintah Precision rifles.
kit. The only caution here is that some aftermarket triggers will Baker said, “Each of our bolts stays within a .001-inch toler-
work, and some won’t. ance. You can pull one bolt out of our 6.5 Creedmoor rifle and
stick it in a .308 Winchester rifle and fire it without concern.”
Bolt Details One of the first things I noticed about the UP-15 Tight tolerances are the key to the Uintah Precision bolts,
is the bolt. Removing the bolt is a simple process of sliding the and the company’s ability to hold consistent tolerances also
takedown pin out of the way, lifting the upper receiver away allows customers the option of ordering a spare bolt through
from the lower receiver, and then pulling the bolt out the back. the mail without worrying whether or not it will fit or change
There are a total of 10 parts to the bolt (that’s counting every the rifle’s headspace. It won’t.
pin, detent and spring), and anyone with a hammer and a pin The UP-15 has a three-lug bolt with 60 degrees of lift,
punch can completely disassemble it in about two minutes. which places the bottom lug at the 6-o’clock position when the
The easy maintenance of the UP-15’s bolt is a refreshing feature action is open. That lug location means the bottom lug is what
in the increasingly complex world. Most bolt-action rifles will engages rounds feeding from the double-stack magazine. This
have twice that number of parts in the bolt, and you’ll need a design gives lots of lug-to-cartridge engagement, meaning the
toolbox and customer support on speed dial for complete disas- odds of the bolt ever slipping up and over a round during feed-
sembly and reassembly assistance. The older I get, the less I like ing are almost zero. No two-lug action, and very few three-lug
having to find help to work on my rifles. I’d prefer to fix the actions, can make the same claim.
problem myself and not deal with the inconvenience of track- The UP-15 bolt has no firing-pin spring since it uses an
ing down a gunsmith, and then waiting to get my AR-15 lower receiver and an AR-15 trigger. Guns
rifle back. The UP-15 will appeal to anyone who & Ammo’s test rifle featured a 3-pound curved
shares this sentiment. unit from Velocity Precision Engineering ($150,
When I spoke to Jason Baker, Uintah Preci- velocitytriggers.com). This means there is no
sion’s rifle program manager, he revealed that the resistance when lifting the bolt after firing the
bolt is made from one piece of 4140 steel that rifle. There is, however, some resistance when
only sees a machine fixture one time. In one fell pulling the bolt rearward since that motion cocks
swoop, 22 tools make all the cuts to produce the hammer. Having no resistance when opening
a finished bolt. This is some manufacturing the bolt makes it possible to work the bolt
wizardry that results in highly consistent bolts. quickly without disturbing the shooting position.
34 G& A dec em b er 2 0 2 0 | no t An oth e r Ar
Standard chamberings are .223 Wylde, .224 Valkyrie, 6.5 Grendel the UP-15’s straight-contour barrel has a .810-inch diameter and
and .300 Blackout, but additional barrel options, including 6mm a recessed crown. the muzzle is threaded for a suppressor or
ArC (tested) with a 1:7.5-inch twist are also available. brake, and includes a knurled thread protector.
the Luth-Ar adjustable buttstock facilitates comb height and Both the upper and lower receivers are machined from U.S.-
length-of-pull fitment. It also includes ports for attaching a sling sourced 6061 aluminum. the UP-15 has a slightly flared magwell
and a hook for engaging the support hand or a rear-bag rest. and an integral, skeletonized triggerguard.
A 15-inch forend surrounds the test rifle’s 22-inch barrel, provid- Uintah’s UP-15 rifles ship with a 10-round magazine from either
ing M-Lok slots on the bottom and sides for attaching bipods Magpul or Alexander Arms, depending on chambering. For the
and accessories, as well as a full-length rail for mounting optics. 6mm ArC, Alexander Arms’ Grendel-pattern mag was included.
For those who prefer a change from the standard, Uintah A sensible selection when … Bolt-action AR-pattern rifles are
Precision does custom barrels for only a slight increase in cost. becoming increasingly numerous. One reason is the familiarity
If, for example, a customer wanted a 6mm ARC with a 26-inch most newer shooters already have with the AR-15. Another is
barrel, a faster twist rate and a heavy .9-inch straight contour, the easy maintenance a bolt-action AR offers. Spend five minutes
they would only be charged an extra $107 for the changes. Uin- on YouTube and a guy can swap out an AR trigger, an important
tah Precision can do any barrel length from 27 inches on down consideration since the trigger is the first component on any rifle
to as short as a person wants, and it can do .75-, .81- and .9- to fail. The UP-15 has the precision of a high-quality traditional
inch straight contours. This is a great way to experiment with bolt-action rifle, but pairs it with the simplicity of an AR-15.
new cartridges and twist rates without going broke. All barrels The final reason the UP-15 appeals to me is its modularity.
are finished with an 11-degree target crown at the muzzle, too. My dream UP-15 would be this 6mm ARC rifle with a LAW
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40 G&A de ce mber 202 0
(ACTUAL SIZE)
de cember 20 20 G&A 41
SIG SAUER
ROMEO2 BY ERIC R. POOLE | PHOTOS BY MICHAEL ANSCHUETZ
“IT’S BUILT IN AMERICA.” That’s one of the takeaways that in the U.S., and it’s moving in that direction with the Romeo2.
SIG Sauer wants us to understand about the new Romeo2 red- Nothing on the Romeo2 is sourced from China. Some small
dot optic, and that statement was emphasized during an inter- components such as resistors on circuit boards have to come
view with Andy York, president of the Electro-Optics Division from overseas, but SIG Sauer is stocking up on those specific
at SIG Sauer. “In fact, they are made in Oregon,” he specified. components so production would safely continue if the U.S.
Many optics are made overseas, which is a subject that is found itself in a another crisis. With those few parts in hand,
becoming important for concerned Americans who want this SIG Sauer can even make the small circuit boards for its optics.
country to support U.S. job growth and become less dependent
on other countries. In terms of optics, many intended for the Meet Romeo. The Romeo2 is SIG Sauer’s greatest red dot
commercial market come from Asia and feature pirated intel- to date. Designed for use on pistols, it can be installed as an
lectual properties, as well. The reason? Cost. Some manufactur- open-emitter, half- or a fully-sealed closed-emitter red-dot sight.
ers can produce all-American optics, but the price of a scope The half and fully-sealed configurations are protected by steel
jumps from $500 to $3,000 with other aspects being equal. shrouds. In the open-emitter configuration, the sight looks sim-
It’s that dramatic. The only customer that doesn’t hesitate to ilar to the Romeo1 with a larger window, similar weight plus a
pay the higher price is the U.S. government who even passed few new tricks. With the steel half-shroud installed, the dura-
the Berry Amendment in 1952 to require the Department of bility and protection is increased with the LED emitter exposed.
Defense (DOD) to give preference in procurement to domesti- Until now, the first and only closed-emitter sight for a pistol
cally produced or manufactured products. However, exception was the Swedish-made Aimpoint ACRO ($599). The Romeo2
and exclusion laws have also passed since to ensure sufficient includes an optional steel shroud and lens that encloses the emit-
quantity could be delivered without delayed production. ter to prevent dust, moisture and debris from interfering with
With factories in Arkansas, Oregon and New Hampshire, the emitter’s operation or collecting on the back of the lens when
SIG Sauer can design and produce every part of any product holstered. When completely shrouded, it’s also tougher against
42 G&A de ce mber 202 0 | siG sAu er ro m eo 2
extreme impacts. It can endure the slide 10 feet on concrete, tortured, and the
SIG SAUER ROMEO2
recoil velocities of a 10mm, and offers MAGNIFICATION 1X
sight still works. Third-party lab testing
maximum water resistance and protection RETICLE 3 MOA or 6 MOA red dot
showed that the Romeo2 will withstand
from foreign objects. It is the first red-dot LENGTH 1.83 in.
all of the military’s requirements. It’s
optic to offer these protections in user- WIDTH 1.31 in.
now believed that a 10mm round’s recoil
convertible configurations. HEIGHT 1.24 in.
impulse is harder on a slide-mounted
WEIGHT 2.1 oz.
optic than .40 S&W, so SIG Sauer tested
Phase 3 “When we started this division MATERIALS Aluminum, glass, steel
it further with thousands of rounds and
6 years ago, we partnered with some of FINISH Matte black
experienced no failures.
the Tier 1 suppliers I had worked with in ADJUSTMENT
.6 in. at 100 yds. (1 click)
the past,” York said. “Let’s call that ‘Phase RANGE Innovative Features One issue with
1.’ Then the LE and military division of MSRP $780 red-dot sights on handguns has always
SIG Sauer wanted us to ruggedize the MANUFACTURER
SIG Sauer, 603-610-3000, been with changing the battery. With
sigsauer.com
optics so they could submit a complete the Trijicon RMR ($699), for example,
system for bid on military contracts. At you have to remove the optic to access
that time, we were still using an international supply chain. the CR2032 battery, which means re-zeroing once installed.
That was Phase 2. If you sit there with a clean sheet of paper, The ACRO’s CR1225 battery is easy to change, but hard to
ruggedize an optic from the ground up, that’s what the Romeo2 buy. Plus, the CR1225 has one-fifth the power capacity of the
is. It’s Phase 3.”
When SIG Sauer was developing the U.S. Army’s M17/M18
The romeo1 (left) was an
standard-issue pistol contract winner, there was no SIG affordable breakthrough to
Sauer E-Optic division. So, when the government advance the use of red-dot
wanted the slide to be machined to accept a red- sights on pistols. The romeo2
(left, bottom) shares the same
dot sight, SIG went with Leupold’s DeltaPoint footprint, but offers a larger
Pro footprint. window, unprecedented
“I didn’t have an optic that I felt com- modularity, next-gen tech and
toughness for armed
fortable having a soldier fight with,” York professionals and
recalled. “The Romeo2 is now that sight.” citizens.
The Romeo2’s footprint remains the
same, but features a pair of indentations
for pistols and adapter plates that have
bosses at the rear.
The Romeo2 has been repeatedly dropped from
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46 G& A dec em b er 2 0 2 0
d ecem b er 2020 G& A 47
BY JOE KURTENBACH
PHOTOS BY MARK FINGAR
WWW.TRUGLO.COM
50 G& A dec em b er 2 0 2 0 | L A s t L ine : t he tr iAr i
Despite the reduced size of the Micro 9 platform, the triari’s controls feel full-size and Fiber-optic pipes provide a two-tone sight
facilitate smooth operation. in particular, the safety flicks off with positive, but not picture where the red front dot nests
undue, force, and the slide stop has enough ledge to serve as an effective slide release. between two green dots at the rear.
Trijicon MRO®
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• Now available: NEW Trijicon MRO® HD (with optional Magnifier)
• Now available: Red, green, and complex reticle configurations
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52 G& A dec em b er 2 0 2 0 | L A s t L ine : t he tr iAr i
ACTUAL SIZE
reliability and utility. In addition to the previously mentioned smoothly with minimal muzzle rise, and proves that even in
ammunition, I also had on hand various and sundry leftovers subcompact platforms, all-metal guns hold an advantage in
from previous tests, everything from ball ammo to various hol- recoil mitigation over polymer-frame pistols. Micro 9s are rated
low points. I find it useful to test firearms, especially defensive for use with +P ammunition, and I included some in my testing
pistols, with a variety of loads in order to detect any preferences without issue. It’s worth mentioning, though, the owner’s guide
or problems with regard to states that a steady diet of +P
the gun’s ability to feed, fire PERFORMANCE could increase wear.
BEST AVG.
and eject. The Triari digested VEL. GROUP GROUP The last item I wanted to
LOAD (FPS) ES SD (IN.) (IN.)
everything I had on hand; it is touch on was reloads. Empty
Federal Punch 124-gr. JHP 1,020 31 10 1.63 2.24
not a picky eater. magazines drop free with-
Hornady Critical Def. 115-gr. FTX 1,034 25 9 1.14 1.94
I also conducted a number out issue, but during drills I
Winchester Defend 147-gr. JHP 890 55 18 1.18 1.99
of defensive shooting drills found that they occasionally
notes: Velocity is the average of 10 shots measured by a Caldwell Ballistic Precision
and came away with some G2 chronograph at 15 feet. Accuracy is the average of five, five-shot groups fired from get hung up on the shooting
25 yards on a bag rest.
observations that are worth hand and require a little help
sharing. Starting with draw, to fully evacuate the frame.
using a soft-leather pocket holster, I found the Triari was ideal I’ve found this to be a common occurrence with small guns.
for this method of concealed carry. Its thin, snag-free design The slide stop lever, which seems to be a full-size component,
and dehorned edges allowed for a surprisingly fast and smooth offers ample engagement surface, and I had no issues releasing
presentation. Once the gun was pivoted toward the target, the the slide on a fresh magazine using this method.
thumb safety could be disengaged with positive pressure, result-
ing in an audible click. I found the safety to be secure, ergonom- Triumph In an age of micro-compact, double-stack, polymer-
ically designed and quick to deactivate; the lever never felt too frame pistols, it is easy to dismiss the utility of an all-metal
small. Reactivating was a bit trickier, but for defensive use, the hammer gun that bears resemblance to a century-old platform.
former operation is far more critical than the latter. I know I did. Those guns have their advantages, but there is
Punching the gun out, I was able to find and maintain a high, simply no replicating the polished feel and rhythmic cycle
thumbs-forward grip despite the Triari’s reduced dimensions. of guns like the Model 1911 or the new Micro 9 Triari. That
And, although I typically prefer a plain black rear sight with a rhythm is an advantage. Like a drummer marking time on the
bright front, the red and green fiber-optic dots were fast and parade field, it is constant, reliable, and a foundation on which
easy to pick up. Despite being a three-dot array, they did not speed and precision can be built. Despite the size and weight
feel busy or crowded in the way that some white-dot arrange- limitations imposed by the realities of everyday concealed carry,
ments do. The contrasting colors work. I was also concerned Kimber still managed to incorporate good sights, a clean trigger
that the sights were a touch too wide for targets beyond 10 or and proven ergonomics into the Triari, and it gives no quarter
15 yards, but the accuracy results clearly say otherwise. when considering its accuracy and shootability. Intended to be
Perhaps the most surprising characteristic of the Triari was a constant companion and protector, the Micro 9 Triari stands
its mild recoil. In operation it feels like a bigger gun, cycles ready should awareness and avoidance fail.
A sonic boom and enormous muzzle flash hurls the exclusive
Armscor 22TCM cartridge downrange at a blistering 2000fps with
penetrating impact. Just as obvious is its light recoil and manageability.
As if you needed another reason, its 17-round magazine is
compatible with the entire TCM line, including rifles.
Thrill seekers, rejoice.
PHOTO: MICHAEL ANSCHUETZ
56 G& A dec em b er 2 0 2 0
d ecem b er 2020 G& A 57
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY
HELLCAT
TYPE Recoil operated, semiautomatic
CARTRIDGE 9mm
CAPACITY 11+1 rds.; 13+1 rds.
BARREL LENGTH 2.99 in.
OVERALL LENGTH 6 in.
HEIGHT 4.2 in.
WIDTH .88 in.
WEIGHT 1 lbs., 2.2 oz.
FINISH Melonite (steel)
TRIGGER 5 lbs., 7.7 oz. (tested)
Ameriglo Pro-Glo (front); U-notch
SIGHTS
(rear); removable optic plate (OSP)
SAFETY Trigger lever; striker block
HANDGUN OF THE YEAR MSRP $569 (Standard); $599 (OSP)
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY HELLCAT appeared in Guns & MANUFACTURER
Springfield Armory, 309-944-5631,
springfield-armory.com
Ammo’s December 2019 issue, and arrived at dealers shortly
after Guns & Ammo’s “First Look” digital preview on Septem-
ber 25, 2019, at gunsandammo.com. At that time, the Hellcat
was ineligible for consideration due to its limited availability. In the last year, Springfield Armory has continued to expand
After 12 months on the market, the Hellcat has proved itself the Hellcat family by offering a Desert FDE-colored option that
accurate, reliable, versatile — and extremely popular. contrasts the black, Melonite-coated hammer-forged barrel and
The Hellcat was the first so-called stack-and-a-half carry pis- controls. The frame is molded in the Desert FDE polymer while
tol to offer both a Standard model and an Optical Sight Pistol the slide is given a rugged Cerakote finish for an attractive com-
(OSP) option capable of accepting a micro red dot sight. Many bination. We’re sure that this isn’t the last model to come from
have argued that the Hellcat put Shield Sights on the map, Springfield Armory wearing the Hellcat moniker.
making “RMSc” a familiar acronym among gun owners. Though During Guns & Ammo’s year-long evaluation of the Hellcat,
it is known that the Hellcat OSP accepted other miniature red we have sourced five Standard and OSP models for extensive
dots such as JPoint’s Micro Reflex and SIG Sauer’s Romeo0, the testing. These pistols shoot less-than-2-inch groups from a fixed
gun’s enthusiastic following pushed Trijicon to develop and rest at 25 yards with quality ammunition. Though we have shot
announce the RMRcc, which appeared first on Guns & Ammo’s thousands of rounds through our samples, we were impressed
website and social media pages on August 31, 2020. (And there to learn of Paul Carlson, owner of Safety Solutions Academy,
are other mini red-dot sight options on their way, too.) who pushed Hellcat serial number AT234795 to 20,000 rounds
The successful launch and positive reception of the Hellcat with support from Federal who supplied the 124-grain full-
immediately spawned aftermarket support. Besides holsters, we metal-jacket (FMJ) ammunition. Every round was captured on
saw unprecidented product offerings ranging from a selection camera and can be seen at thearmorylife.com.
of Apex Tactical’s Action Enhancement Triggers to dedicated It will be difficult to argue against the Springfield Armory
laser sights and lights from Crimson Trace and SureFire. Hellcat and Hellcat OSP deserving this year’s Handgun of the
PHOTO: MICHAEL ANSCHUETZ
Springfield Armory smartly decided to include both an 11- Year honors. With or without a red dot, it continues to offer
round magazine and a 13-round magazine to one-up its chief great capacity, dependability and value for those who carry. ■
rival, the SIG Sauer P365. Aftermarket companies including
BUY IT NOW!
Hyve Technologies have added to that capacity by developing Log on to galleryofguns.com, select this firearm, pay a deposit and it will be
plus-one and plus-three baseplates that take the capacity of a at your local gun store in two days. when purchased from galleryofguns.com,
davidson’s guarantees to repair or replace this firearm for life.
13 rounder to either 14 or 15 rounds.
LAR-15 RRAGE RIFLE DS1850
with RRA Six-Position Tactical CAR
BENELLI
LUPO
TYPE Bolt action, alloy chassis
.270 Win., .30-’06 Springfield (tested),
CARTRIDGE
.300 Win. Mag. (tested)
CAPACITY 5 rds (.270/.30-’06); 4 rds. (.300 WM)
Cold hammer forged, Crio treated;
22 in., 1:10-in. twist (.270 Win.)
BARREL
22 in., 1:11-in. twist (.30-’06 Sprgfld.)
24 in., 1:11-in. twist (.300 WM)
OVERALL LENGTH 44.625 in. to 46.625 in.
WEIGHT 7 lbs., 4 oz. (tested)
Benelli Progressive Comfort; Comb-
STOCK
tech combs; length-of-pull shims
TRIGGER 2 lbs., 12 oz., adj.; trigger spacers
FINISH Blued (steel); anodized (aluminum)
MSRP $1,699
RIFLE OF THE YEAR MANUFACTURER Benelli, 800-264-4962, benelliusa.com
BENELLI LUPO isn’t another new rifle based on the Mauser
98, Model 70 or Model 700 platform, but it is Benelli’s first
bolt-action. The Lupo, Italian for “wolf,” is a fresh approach
to the bolt-action rifle designed around an alloy chassis and
motivated by accuracy, artistic styling and proven felt-recoil-
reduction systems to deliver impressive performance.
Guns & Ammo was on the scene for the unveiling of the and absorb recoil. Regardless of caliber, charge of powder or
Lupo in Italy during late-October 2019. There, Editor Eric weight of the projectile, felt recoil feels the same from one shot
Poole demonstrated its accuracy potential by shooting a num- to the next. As a result, there is more control of the muzzle.
ber of sub-half-inch groups for an audience from 100 yards. Protecting the face from the uncomfortable vibrations of
There, they toured Benelli’s factory in the historic town of felt recoil, Benelli incorporated the Combtech cheek pad to
Urbino where they observed Italian Renaissance artist Raphael’s reduce facial impact. Combtech is another system borrowed
birthplace. Above Benelli’s state-of-the-art factory remains the from Benelli’s hard-working shotguns. Raised and extra-high
Academy of Fine Arts Urbino within the city’s towering walls Combtech cheekpieces are optionally available to adjust height
where several students shared their studies with the Lupo’s for use with high-mounted scopes.
designers to shape a functional masterpiece. The sculpted bolt sports three large locking lugs for a fast
The Lupo also benefited from the proven experience gleaned cycling 60-degree throw to drive cartridges positioned behind
from Benelli’s hard-use shotguns such as the Super Black Eagle the chamber for direct feeding into the chamber. The handle is
III. For having a chassis-based platform, Benelli was able to uniquely shaped to encourage quick action without interference
design a shim-and-spacer system for the Lupo that’s familiar to with the ocular lens housing of large-bodied scopes. The barrel
serious shotgunners who need to adjust drop, cast and trigger is threaded for muzzle devices and suppressors, free floating
reach. The trigger is yet another aspect that can be adjusted for and Crio treated to ensure its consistent performance.
PHOTO: MICHAEL ANSCHUETZ
preference; it can be tuned between 2.2 and 4.4 pounds. Better Built for comfort, the Lupo’s balance is perfectly centered in
fit translates to better control and increased accuracy. the hand at the magazine, while Benelli’s Airtouch Grip surface
The rifle also carries over the Progressive Comfort system provides a tactile and comfortable grip to hold firm.
and Combtech cheek pad, which was another modified element The Lupo possesses so many innovative features that, for its
proven with Benelli shotguns. Inside the Progressive Comfort price, earns it high value. No other new production rifle offered
module are interlacing fingers of proprietary synthetics that flex this level of performance and personalization. ■
USE Gun SmartS.
Scan the QR code with your phone camera, or go to: gunsmarts.smith-wesson. com
SAVAGE
RENEGAUGE
TYPE Gas operated, semiautomatic
GAUGE 12
CAPACITY 4 rds.
OVERALL LENGTH 491/2 in.
BARREL LENGTH 28 in.
WEIGHT 8 lbs.
LENGTH OF PULL 141/4 in.
DROP AT HEEL 2 in.
TRIGGER 4 lbs., 12 oz. (tested)
Hard case; shim and spacer kit;
three recoil pads and butt spacers;
ACCESSORIES Full (.695 in.); Modified (.705 in.);
SHOTGUN OF THE YEAR Improved Cylinder (.715 in.) chokes;
key lock; ear plugs
SAVAGE RENEGAUGE elevated the brand to a higher level in
MSRP $1,550
2020, and proved that it’s not just a company that makes rifles. Savage Arms, 413-568-7001,
MANUFACTURER
Especially looking to attract turkey hunters and waterfowlers, savagearms.com
Savage Arms challenged its engineers to design a reliable oper-
ating system that would feed 23/4- and 3-inch loads. The result
was the Dual Regulating Inline Valve (DRIV) system, which is Underneath the receiver is the loading port for putting
a short-stroke piston system having two regulating valves on shells into the magazine tube. Unlike many guns, there’s plenty
either side of the barrel where excess gas is vented through of room to load the Renegauge without fear of cutting your
radial ports. thumb. The surfaces around the port are smooth and flat,
To keep the Renegauge at the chief engineer’s mandated 8 which was helpful when loading fast was necessary to keep up
pounds, the barrel was fluted to shave ounces. Uncommon with the action. The red follower was also beneficial in alerting
on shotguns headed to the hunting fields, the cuts give the the shooter when it was time to refill the tube.
Renegauge some unique styling. Notably, the barrel was also The stock was well thought out with palm swells on both
created from solid bar stock, then drilled, reamed and polished. sides of the grip, and interchangable recoil pads and cheek-
It’s a slow and expensive way to manufacture a barrel, but in pieces to adjust fit, length of pull and comb height. The pad-
the case of the Renegauge, it proved effective and accurate. ding’s rubber material is soft on the top, rigid on the sides and
Rather than chroming the bore, Savage also made the decision very comfortable against the shoulder. For most hunters, these
to Melonite the barrel, which has similar corrosion resistance features offer enough customization, but shims and spacers to
but doesn’t affect the inside bore diameter. adjust cast and length of pull are also included.
The bolt and carrier are chromed, however, and have been During Guns & Ammo’s evaluation, we determined that Sav-
interlocked and welded to one piece. Owners that have to age Arms succeeded in producing a shotgun that yields excep-
maintain two-piece bolt systems will rejoice when it’s time to tional accuracy and mild recoil. The weight certainly helps to
clean and assemble the gun. Like the barrel, the carrier is also absorb some of the recoil, but the innovative DRIV system does
fluted, and the rotary bolt head features two lugs and a large most of the work. Dressed in black or popular hard-use camou-
PHOTO: MICHAEL ANSCHUETZ
hook extractor for reliable evacuation of empty shells. flage coverings, the Renegauge is an American-made gun that
Not uncommon, the receiver is aluminum, and features con- still offers value in line with foreign competitors. ■
tours that make it easy to reach the controls, especially those
BUY IT NOW!
around the triggerguard. The controls, to include the knurled Log on to galleryofguns.com, select this firearm, pay a deposit and it will be
charging handle, bolt release, shell stop and crossbolt safety, are at your local gun store in two days. when purchased from galleryofguns.com,
davidson’s guarantees to repair or replace this firearm for life.
large and effortless to activate with gloved hands.
PRECISION
DRIVES
PERFORMANCE.
Finely tuned to deliver the ultimate peace of mind, the Taurus® 856 and 856 Ultra-Lite
small-frame revolvers are now equipped with Viridian® Red Laser Grips.
38 SPECIAL +P (6-ROUND CAPACITY) • 2” BARREL • MATTE BLACK OR MATTE STAINLESS • 22.1 OZ. (15.7 OZ. ULTRA-LITE)
64 G& A dec em b er 2 0 2 0 | Gu n s & Am mo of th e yeA r AwArds
standardize for manufacturing, procurement, logistics and use. and barrels become more available. Unexpectedly, we’ve already
The 6mm ARC offers shooters many advantages. To start, seen several bolt-action rifles being developed by various man-
the 6mm ARC is better suited than most 6mm and 6.5mm ufacturers to chamber the 6mm ARC. Just you wait and see. ■
cartridges to optimize very low-drag (VLD) projectiles that
improve stability and range. Plus, the barrel life for a 6mm ARC FOR MORE INFORMATION
hornady, 800-338-3220, hornady.com
chamber is similar to one in 7.62 NATO because it’s burning
66 G& A dec em b er 2 0 2 0 | Gu n s & Am mo of th e yeA r AwArds
NIGHTFORCE
NX8
1-8x24mm; 2.5-20x50mm;
FIRST FOCAL
4-32x50mm
SECOND FOCAL 2.5-20x50mm; 4-32x50mm
TUBE DIAMETER 30mm
OPTIC OF THE YEAR ELEVATION
NIGHTFORCE NX8 is a new line of scopes that borrows .25 MOA or .1 MRAD per click
ADJUSTMENT
lessons learned from the company’s NXS scopes, which has WINDAGE .25 MOA or .1 MRAD per click
served military marksman for 20 years as well as serious long- FC-MIL/MOA (1-8X);
RETICLE
range shooters for just as long. The NXS solidified Nightforce Mil-CF2, MOAR-CF2
purchase price.” (F2) extension to the NX8. The F2 scopes are ideal for hunters
At the expense of a small weight penalty, Nightforce added and shooters who prefer the reticle to stay consistent in size
an additional lens in the objective lens group. Adding that extra throughout the magnification range. Either way, the Nightforce
lens also corrected typical degradations that happen when an NX8 family is an investment in your shooting that can take a
optics company shortens a scope. To protect its glass, Night- rifle’s long-range performance to a new level. ■
SIG SAUER worked with Avient to develop
their first-of-its-kind P320 TXG tungsten
infused grip module to deliver perfectly
balanced weight without compromising
comfort or performance.
TACTICUS MAXIMUS
The Gun Tool™ AMP is a creatively reinvented line of multi-tool’s
for guns. With transformer-like functionality, AMP packs serious
problem-solving capability into a surprisingly small footprint.
TX22
(16 + 1) or (10 + 1)
EXCELLENCE RUNS
IN THE FAMILY.
The TaurusTX™ 22 is now available with two all-new, streamlined
options—giving shooters three distinctive sporting pistols to choose from.
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g uns & a mmo of t h e yea r award s | d ecem b er 2020 g& a 73
COMBAT
ELITE
AN INTRODUCTION
TO THREE DISTINCT
TWO-TONE MODEL
1911s FROM COLT.
BY KEITH WOOD | PHOTOS BY MARK FINGAR
d ecem b er 2020 G& A 75
76 G& A dec em b er 2 0 2 0 | Co m b At E litE
• You will learn detailed step-by-step Design, Function, and Operation of your specific model.
• AGI Armorer’s Courses use cut-away guns to provide close-up views inside the firearms.
• Learn how to completely disassemble and reassemble ALL your guns with confidence.
• Advanced Training on DVD by Master Gunsmiths. This is NOT just basic field stripping.
• Training on DVD so they can’t block you! Have this information available when you need it.
There are two main elements of the Series 80 guns relevant to pin block in the slide as an additional safety measure if the gun
shooters. The first is a half-cock notch that allows the user to were dropped. Though Series 80 pistols are often maligned for
lower the hammer without firing the pistol inadvertently. The their creepy triggers due to the safety levers and plunger, I don’t
trigger is pulled and then released while the hammer is lowered feel there is much of a practical difference on Colt’s stock guns.
manually. The hammer comes to rest a fraction of an inch from
the firing-pin stop and, when the trigger is pulled a second Combat Elite Government This is a full-size Model 1911 with
time, the hammer falls to rest. Series 80 guns also use a firing- a 5-inch barrel. It’s available in either .45 ACP or 9mm. I tested
S A R C O , I N C.
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82 G& A dec em b er 2 0 2 0 | Co m b At E litE
the latter. Nine-millimeter 1911s have become quite popular not chambered for .45 ACP, remember that Colt introduced the
in recent years due to their lighter recoil and less-expensive .38 Super in the 1930s, and 9mm 1911s have been extant since
ammunition. However, before you reject the notion of a 1911 1949. Although many probably aren’t looking for an all-steel,
COLT COMBAT ELITE DEFENDER full-size, single-stack 9mm for everyday carry, the Combat Elite
BEST AVG. is nonetheless well-equipped for the job. I wouldn’t hesitate
VEL. GROUP GROUP
LOAD (FPS) ES SD (IN.) (IN.) to carry it as a primary handgun, but it would also make for a
Wilson Combat 115-gr. XTP JHP 1,135 40 12.6 2 2.19 great practice pistol before wearing a full-size 1911 in .45 ACP.
Colt Defense 124-gr. JHP 1,170 87 27.3 3.65 4.19 Though I’ve seen many 1911s deviate from some of the
Fed. Premium Syntech 147-gr. FMJ 976 60 19.3 2.83 3.57 traditional design elements, the Combat Elite Government is
Notes: Accuracy is the average of five, five-shot groups from a sandbag rest at 25 yards. built the way Browning intended it. The 5-inch National Match
Velocity is the average of five shots recorded by an Oehler Model 35P chronograph. barrel uses two locking upper lugs and is not integrally ramped,
instead relying on the original feeding
arrangement that combines a ramped
frame and a generous radius at the rear
of the chamber. The extractor is internal,
and the ejector is fixed. The only real
twist is a dual recoil spring arrangement
that reduces felt recoil and extends
spring life. This feature appears on both
the 9mm and .45 ACP versions.
The high undercut below the trigger-
guard on the Combat Elite Government
allows for a high grip on the gun. Com-
bined with the stainless steel construc-
tion, dual springs and 9mm chambering,
it was extremely controllable and pleasant
to shoot. The trigger measured consis-
tently at just under 5 pounds with only
H t c
p p t N wO
t uck b 1882
T 138 y
W W 26.73 m 90% fi
H ty 38.1 mm m t
C t fi t c cu t
by NGC
C t fi “G t uth
F T u yH ”
’ L m t fi c h u h
’ b g d al
H ?H ’
with its big brothers, making it an ideal
®J carry pistol for those who are accus-
G : tomed to shooting 1911s. Though it is
“I ’ y fi quite similar from the shooter’s perspec-
g qu f tive, the Defender is a different animal
M g T p
pc y g h than the larger models, mechanically-
h fi speaking. For starters, the Defender uses
h u M g h a cone-shaped barrel that eliminates the
f m h U T u yH u p
y c pp u y” J G
Don’t Miss Out—Order Now! traditional bushing at the muzzle. The
R Defender also uses a dual recoil spring
q ? $ ’
R ” with a two-piece full-length guiderod.
p NG It is a similar setup to the recoil spring
Morgans from the New Orleans Mint
I 59 N ’ L arrangement found on newer-model
p L
Glocks, and it does a nice job of miti-
N ” I
G q gating recoil. The front of the Defender’s
p p slide has been side-milled with an angu-
lar cut, giving it a different profile than
The U.S. Treasury Hoard fi p the other two pistols in the series, also.
F I 9 q Though the Defender in .45 ACP is
p pp probably a handful to shoot, the 9mm
q !
full, unop n d bag ” version was very controllable. I did
A experience a few reliability issues, the
1882-O Morgan Silver Dollar NGC Certified
p BU from the Great Southern Treasury majority of which appeared to be ammo-
H p Hoard — $99 ea. related. Colt’s Defense ammunition
” (made by DoubleTap) uses a jacketed
FREE SHIPPING on 2 or More! Limited time
The Great Southern Treasury Hoard only. Product total over $149 before taxes (if any). hollowpoint bullet, the shape of which
T anoth r 5 Standard domestic shipping only. Not valid on
previous purchases. must be incompatible with the Defend-
’ fi
p er’s feed ramp profile. The first round
Call today toll-free for fastest service
in each magazine would hang up and
1-888-324-9125
!W p
p N fail to feed. I also experienced several
G p NG
Offer Code MSH265-01 instances where the case failed to extract
p G Pl a nt on th cod wh n you call with this ammo, creating a double feed.
T H ” Each time, the case had to be removed
using a rod. Sticky cases are indicator
GovMint.com • 14101 Southcross Dr. W., Suite 175
Dept. MSH265-01, Burnsville, MN 55337 of high pressures expanding the brass
excessively. I do not believe that the
G ® fi T
p G gun was at fault since it performed well
p P fi p p p
fi A p p p p G ’ T with other loads. Be sure that your gun
/ 7 ; p p G ’ R
P © G A
d ec em b e r 2 0 2 0 G& A 85
10
which are standard on both the Govern-
ment and Commander Combat Elites,
have oversized lower lugs that eliminate
this play. The problem with barrel squat
8 CIGARS only $ *
3 0
86 G&A d ece mber 2020
As on most pump
guns, the trigger
assembly can be
removed for main-
tenance. Note, how-
ever, the absence of
a shell carrier and
the presence of a
polymer magazine
well and mag release
button.
de cember 20 20 G&A 87
ROCK SLIDE
ROCK ISLAND ARMORY’S VR LINE That may not seem like a dramatic change
redefined semiauto shotgun design, and of course, but it represented the first major
this year the company is adding a pump- departure from a traditional pump-action
action variant to the family. Known as the shotgun design in more than a century.
“VRPA40,” Rock Island’s slide-action scat- Rock Island’s VRPA40 is the latest box-
tergun also breaks new ground by offering magazine-fed pump gun, but it’s priced
shooters a magazine-fed pump shotgun at considerably lower than either the Reming-
a very affordable price point. ton or the Mossberg. The Remington 870
It’s remarkable how little pump shotguns DM (Detachable Magazine) carries a starting
have changed since the 1880s, and a defin- MSRP of $529, while the Mossberg 590M
ing characteristic of pump guns since their Mag-Fed has a retail price of $721. Rock
earliest days is a tubular magazine under Island Armory’s VRPA40 is only $399.
the barrel. Tube magazines offer a conve- For that money, you’d expect the VRPA40
nient solution for ammo storage, but they to be a stripped-down gun with few acces-
are slower to reload than firearms with sories, but that’s not the case. In place of
removable magazines. A few years a traditional bead front sight, the VRPA40
ago, Remington and Mossberg comes with a fiber optic front and an adjust-
addressed this concern able ghost ring rear sight with protective
with the launch of the shields flanking the aperture. The rear sight
box-magazine-fed is attached to an eight-slot top rail that
Model 870 and offers roughly 3½-inches of mounting space
Model 590, for attaching a reflex sight, too. There’s also
respec- an 11-inch vented aluminum heat shield
tively. mounted over the top of the barrel.
The box-fed VRPA40 doesn’t need its lower tube for ammo storage, With detachable magazines capable of holding 19 shells, fast, high-
but it still guides the sliding forend. A knurled magazine cap aids volume shooting becomes part of the VRPA40’s appeal. Fittingly, the
disassembly, and the shotgun features a forward sling mount. shotgun’s barrel is equipped with a ventilated heat shield.
In many regards, the VRPA40 follows the typical pump- extracted shells free from the action. Because it is maga-
gun design formula. The 7075 T6 aluminum receiver zine fed, the VRPA40 lacks the carrier traditionally found
houses a 3-inch chamber and an ejection port on the right on tube-fed pumps, and the follower of the magazine tilts
side. The polymer slide handle is attached to twin action slightly upward at the front to ensure that shells, which
bars instead of the single action bar found on early pump are picked up by the forward stroke of the bolt, chamber
shotguns. The VRPA40’s slide handle rides on an under- smoothly in the gun. The magazine itself is made from
barrel tube just like traditional pump actions, however. metal and has a broad baseplate that makes it easy to
Removing the trigger group is fast and easy thanks to a grasp and remove quickly, and it can protect the magazine
single cross pin that is countersunk into the left side of the should it be dropped to the ground during a reload. The
receiver. Simply push the pin through the receiver and the magazine housing is also made of polymer, and is part
trigger assembly and magazine housing will drop free. of the trigger assembly. Unlike some mag-fed pumps, it
Made in Turkey, VRPA40 shotguns come with 20-inch doesn’t look like a bolted-on afterthought. Rather, it fits
smoothbore steel barrels with interchangeable choke nicely with the profile of the gun.
tubes. Three choke tubes are included — Cylinder, Mod- If you are used to standard pump-gun controls, the
ified, and Full — and the constriction can be determined VRPA40 may initially baffle you. Instinct tells you to reach
by looking at the notches in the muzzle portion of the toward the front (as on a Remington) or rear (as with a
tube: five notches indicate Cylinder constriction, three for Mossberg or Winchester) of the triggerguard to release the
Modified, one for Full. And the barrel is held in place by a bolt. Instead, the bolt release is located on the right side
knurled forend cap with a sling stud. There’s a correspond- of the receiver just below the ejection point at the junction
ing rear sling stud in the polymer buttstock. of the receiver and the magazine housing. It’s shaped like
The VRPA40’s bolt has a single, spring-operated an oversized slide stop on a pistol and works in the same
extractor mounted on the right side of the bolt body. manner. It requires a downward push to open the VRPA40’s
There’s a channel in the action. Magazine releases
bolt that allows an ejector BUY IT NOW! aren’t standard equipment
log on to galleryofguns.com, select this firearm, pay a deposit and it will be
mounted to the left side at your local gun store in two days. When purchased from galleryofguns.com, on most pumps, but Rock
davidson’s guarantees to repair or replace this firearm for life.
of the receiver to knock Island Armory placed
R ock I sland aRmo Ry V RPa4 0 | d ecem b er 2020 G& a 89
the mag
release
on the
right side
of the gun
just ahead of
the triggerguard.
The layout may take
some getting used to for overall length measured 41 inches. That makes
pump shotgun fans, but AR the VRPA40 slightly longer and heavier than
shooters will love the design of other defensive long-guns such as Mossberg’s
the mag release; it looks, feels and MVP Scout rifle at 63/4 pounds and 371/2 inches, and
functions like the controls on your AR-15 Ruger’s AR-556 at 61/2 pounds and 351/2 inches with
rifle. The magazine release is large and easy the stock extended. The advantage of the VRPA40, by
to find, and the aluminum box magazine falls free comparison, is load versatility and price.
from the gun for faster reloads. As you read this, don’t forget the VRPA40’s price com-
The polymer forearm measures 71/2-inches long, roughly pared to other guns. Some new shotguns don’t offer much
11/2-inches wide and comes with aggressive, rearward- in the way of accessories, but the VRPA40 utilizes the same
angled cuts for a positive grip. The buttstock is polymer magazine as Rock Island’s VR60 and VR80 shotguns, so
with a widened comb and a generous ventilated recoil pad there are 9 and 19 shot options immediately available. The
that is slightly curved to rest comfortably on the shoulder. accessory rail on top will also accept most popular optics.
It’s effective at absorbing recoil. That extra padding is
especially beneficial when firing heavy loads because the on the Range Smoothbore slug guns aren’t particularly
VRPA40 weighs just 6.9 pounds without the magazine. Add known for accuracy, but the VRPA40 performed well off the
a full five-round mag and the weight jumps to just more bench at 50 yards. Firing three different reduced-recoil slugs
than 8 pounds. Length of pull is roughly 14.25 inches and by Fiocchi, Remington and Hornady, the VRPA40 produced
90 G&A d ecemb er 2 020 | Rock Isl An d ARmoRy V RPA4 0
The gun’s bolt uses a single extractor that proved capable and reli-
able even under the stress of fast-paced courses of fire and a long day
at the range firing a mixed bag of 12-gauge ammunition.
VISIT MIDWESTINDUSTRIESINC.COM TO
SHOP OUR DIVERSE PLATFORM OFFERING
Three choke tubes were included with a the VRPA40: Cylinder, Mod-
ified and Full. Notches — five, three and one, respectively — on the
top lip of the tubes identify the different constrictions.
Roc k I sl and a Rmo Ry V RPa40 | decemb er 2020 G& a 91
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96 G & A december 2020 SPEN T CA SES
KE I TH WO OD
All day.
All night. Super tough
Tritium and fiber sights.
DLC finished barrel
Durable, easy to clean.
CRISP BREAK
Premium trigger, set at 4-5lbs.
undercut
Material removed from
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360º GRIP
TEXTURING available in
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©2020, KIMBER MFG., INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. INFORMATION AND SPECIFICATIONS ARE FOR REFERENCE ONLY AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.