What is the most fun weapon and caliber combination to shoot? The possibilities are limitless. Everyone has their own pet systems, loves, and opinions. Let’s take a look at options and evaluate. My keen scientific mind has concocted a very detailed system to evaluate the options that are too difficult to explain, so you will just have to trust me. The category is FUN FACTOR and we are looking to fill the podium with a winner.

My focus is on items that people can actually own, even if slightly difficult. This assumes you don’t live under the near communist regimes of some of our bluest states. Also, the Battlefield Vegas 20mm Vulcan mounted to a Toyota Prius and miniguns are a rare occurrence, so I will exclude those as ‘extraordinary’ items. I will not include any civil war or WWII artillery, that by some loophole, is legal.

My background in the industry has provided me with the opportunity to shoot a larger spectrum of cartridges and weapons than the average shooting sports enthusiast. I am told I shot my first .22 Long Rifle at age three, I have no such memory. However, knowing my father’s desire to give me all the experiences under the sun, and recall how much time we spent at the family gun range growing up, it’s probably true. I’ve shot so much that I’ve likely forgotten some of the interesting weapons I’ve fired. Therefore, I feel I’m a pretty worthy judge of what firearms might be the most fun to shoot.

BIG BORE ENTERTAINMENT

During my time in the manufacture of cartridge cases for Dakota Arms, Lazzeroni, Tubbs, Huntington’s, Old Western Scrounger, Midway, Cheytac, Federal, Holland and Holland, Dixie Gun, John Rigby & Co., Kynoch and too many others to list, I had the opportunity to shoot many of their products. You don’t want to fire too many of these at one time. For those of you that have never had the experiencing the percussion and the recoil from these large calibers — let’s just say big bore cartridges can give a headache the size of a small country.

The recoil from some of them is quite painful. I have never fired from the shoulder the round my father created, the 700 Nitro Express. I’ve only shot it from a pressure barrel. The rifle itself weighs more than 40 pounds; another reason to avoid shooting it. I’ve fired its younger brothers in the Nitro Express arena and I have done it enough to know it’s painful… painful enough to not want to shoot it all that much. But, boys will be boys, and if the opportunity presents itself to shoot something unique, damn the torpedoes – we’re gonna shoot it. In testing some 50-70 or 50-90 or 50-110 ammo in a Sharps rifle, I gained a scar above my right eye, along with a memory that’ll last forever. This is the rifle that was used by Tom Selleck in “Quigley Down Under” in the 1980s. The peep sight requires you get rather close to it to aim. Then there is the front locking trigger and the rear hair trigger. I took a last breath before intentionally getting my finger near the hair-trigger and accidentally touching it. It went off and blood ran down my face. The large size of the weapon, cartridge, and the boom all make it a blast to shoot. Channeling Tom Selleck’s character shooting a moving bucket at 1200 yards adds to the experience (now you have to stream the movie). So, in my book the large African or Black powder calibers are not at the top of the list for fun due to recoil, first, percussion, second, and weight of weapons, third.

The ability to decimate targets at 1000 yards is pretty awesome. Many shooters only dream of making a near-world record shot at over a mile. Nearly all of these have a muzzle brake which dramatically reduces recoil when fired from the shoulder.

Some of the long-range calibers like 50 BMG, 408 Cheytac, 338 Lapua, 338 Norma Mag, 300 Norma Mag, Lazzeroni 7.82 Warbird, and 12.04 BiBaMuFu (Big Bad Mother*ucker) and are very similar in their percussive effects. The ability to decimate targets at 1000 yards is pretty awesome. Many shooters only dream of making a near-world record shot at over a mile. Nearly all of these have a muzzle brake which dramatically reduces recoil when fired from the shoulder. The muzzle brake can wreak havoc on any instrumentation placed alongside the weapon, though. The sniper calibers are not at the top of the list for percussion, first and recoil, second.

I have less experience in handgun calibers. As a teenager, I was sucked into the frenzy calibers of the day. Most of the larger calibers like 44 Magnum, which according to Clint Eastwood’s character in “Dirty Harry” is, “the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you’ve got to ask yourself one question: ‘Do I feel lucky?” Feel free to stream this movie as well! The 44 Mag does kick like a mule and only seems to transfer the pain from your shoulder to your wrist (and arms, and shoulders). It also has some serious percussion. Now, there are many large pistol calibers, including some rifle calibers, being shot from pistols. The stories and videos online make those look painful to shoot. Therefore, the large pistol calibers are not on the top of the list for fun guns to shoot.

FULL AUTO PLAY

Smaller pistol calibers can be a lot of fun. Shooting .22 LR in pistol or rifle is great because it can be fired indoors and, therefore, year-round. It has low recoil and is not terribly loud. The biggest negative I can think of is the time spend reloading and the sore fingers you get from feeding those finicky magazines. Since 22 LR is such a popular, mainstream cartridge, it reduces the reduces the wow/fun factor. But, when the right gun comes along, the caliber is moot. For example, my father is working on a homemade 22 LR Gatling gun. I can’t wait to fire that!

Fully automatic, magazine-fed machine guns are the next category that turns a corner in our story. Someone rarely fires these weapons without a big smile on their face. Most of these are in 22 LR, .223/5.56mm, 7.62x39mm, and .308/7.62x51mm, which have reasonable percussion and recoil. The .308/7.62x51mm, after enough rounds, can give you a headache. As a pre-teen, I shot a lot of 22 LR in a Ruger 10/22. We tried all the high-capacity magazines of the late 1970s & 1980s. The short version of the story, anything over 30 rounds did not work. The biggest negative in this category is the cost of the ammo. Of course, this is reduced with 22 LR, however, it doesn’t have the wow factor of the larger calibers. A second negative is the paperwork on a fully automatic weapon. A third negative is the limited number of ranges where you are allowed to fire these weapons. I give this platform a bronze medal for the FUN FACTOR.

BELT-FED ENTERTAINMENT

One step up from the above is fully automatic, belt-fed machine guns. This mainly ends up being 5.56mm, 7.62x51mm, or .50 BMG. The M2 is a blast to shoot, and I highly recommend it on an outdoor range with tracers or Mk211 semi-HE ammo. In some of my work events, I get to shoot the M2 for free, which only amplifies the fun. To boot, most times I have shot belt feed I did not have to link the ammo myself, which is even better. At the 2021 NDIA Armaments conference at Ft. Benning, I got to shoot a suppressed M2 with an MGRS Optic. Now we are cooking with gas! An M249 SAW or Minimi is a blast and everyone should have one. The most fun I have personally had with belt-fed is dual 7.62x51mm M60’s mounted on a shoulder-high tripod. It had motorcycle handlebar lever-style triggers, one for each. The range allowed tracers, and walking rounds in on a target was unbelievably fun. It reminded me of WWII fighter pilots walking in a stream of rounds on a target. On the downside, paying for all the ammo you run in a belt-fed is no fun, and that’s doubly so when talking about a twin M60. I’m sure if I had to link the rounds every time I shot, it might swap positions… But, a solid effort for this group gives belt-feds the FUN FACTOR silver medal.

40mm WINNING FUN

The reason 40mm Low Velocity rounds are the most fun to shoot are numerous. First, due to the low velocity, you can see the round from the muzzle all the way to the target. Next, the recoil is very minimal. Third, the sound and percussion are almost non-existent. It does make a cool, hollow “ploop” sound when fired. The orange dye is cool to see, and most rounds don’t have this kind of clear hit signature. Next is hitting things downrange with nearly a 2,700-grain projectile makes interesting things happen. Wood railroad ties, metal frames, concrete barricades, and whatever else you are shooting at really takes a beating. If you can shoot at a car or old truck, you are really moving metal. If you’ve never been in a competition to put a 40mm round in a 55-gallon drum at 300 meters, it should be on your to-do list. Add other options in 40mm that include parachute flares, smoke rounds, and non-lethal rounds and you have a fiesta.

On the weapon side, there are numerous options. You can go old school with an M79 Launcher. You can mount M203 under an AR-style rifle. A stand-alone, rail-mounted M203 is highly recommended and can be had for around $3000, new. A Milkor M32A1-MSGL 6-shot launcher is the pinnacle of the bunch, however they’re extremely difficult to obtain and cost around $15,000.

To be fair, there are negatives. The cost of the rounds is prohibitive. Reloading the rounds can be accomplished for around $2 to $3 each if you reuse the zinc body, 38 S&W blank, and the M212 base case. There are some paperwork restrictions on owning a 40mm weapon. The cost of some of the more exotic weapons is a challenge — however, a used M203 can be had for under $1000. Despite all this, the 40mm wins the gold medal as the most fun thing to shoot.

After this goes to print, I typically post the article on my LinkedIn account. Please check in there and let me know if you agree or disagree with my extremely scientific analysis of the most FUN FACTOR medal winners. If you have a more deserving candidate, please let me know.

I first learned of the Naval & Military Press while searching online for books about the Nordenfelt hand cranked machine gun. I’m glad I stumbled across this company and their collection of military titles.

The Naval & Military Press Ltd (N&MP), based in England, was started in 1991. The company has established itself as a great source of books for the military enthusiast. Their website describes themselves as “Britain’s leading independent military bookseller”.

Upon learning of them, and the above mentioned Nordenfelt manual machine gun book, I looked over their website to see what other books they offer. Their catalog is logically arranged by time periods, starting with Ancient & Medieval, and progressing through 16^th to 18^th Century, Napoleonic, 19^th-20^th Century, The Great War, and ending with WW II. The last three mentioned contain the most individual titles, as expected. There are a few modern Cold War era titles, but not a lot. They even carry a decent selection of British railway and steam locomotive books, if that appeals to you.

Naval & Military Press’s catalog features their own line of titles, as well as books from other publishers. There are a number of books from the well-known Images of War series, for example.

For this review I will focus on the N&MP titles. These tend to be reprints of long out-of-print military manuals, and battle reports, etc. Currently, there are over 2100 N&MP titles listed. From these, I ordered:

• The Nordenfelt Machine Guns Described in Detail
• Textbook of Small Arms, 1929
• The Complete Lewis Gunner

The Nordenfelt Machine Guns Described in Detail is a reprint of a book originally published in 1882 by Thorsten Nordenfelt himself. As such, it is rather biased, as might be expected. However, it does contain many technical details on his many variants of manually-cranked machine guns. These ranged from single-barrel to ten-barrel designs, and from one-inch bore to 2.2-inch bore. These were primarily deck guns for naval vessels.

It’s divided into four parts and further divided into 17 chapters. The four parts are: Descriptive, Comparative, Naval, and Military (Referring to land-based use.) In part II, Comparative, there are the results of several tests between the Nordenfelt 1-inch gun and the Hotchkiss 37mm (Approx 1.5-inch) gun.

The book measures 8 x 11.5 inches, is 206 pages, and contains 57 engraving type full page illustrations & diagrams. Soft cover. £28.00 (approx. $37)

The Textbook of Small Arms 1929 has its origins in a publication dating back to 1863. Reprinted or revised every few years, it served the British Army for many years. In 1929, it was almost completely rewritten. As the editor’s preface explains, this was due to the great strides in small arms technology that occurred during WWI.

Part I covers small arms ranging from service rifles to machine guns. Chapters are titled The Rifle, The Sword, Lance and Bayonet, Revolvers and Self-Loading Pistols, Grenades, and Machine Guns & Light Machine Guns. There are a surprising number of hand and rifle grenades described. Fortunately, clear section view drawings accompany the text. Likewise, the various machine guns covered also have section view drawings showing the internals of each. There are also photographs of the various machine guns as well. (No photographs of grenades were included.)

Part II covers ammunition in detail. It explains the manufacture of smokeless powder, and the different shapes it can be supplied in, such as flake, extruded, and Cordite strands. It even mentions shapes I was not familiar with such as cube, strip (Axite brand), disc, and perforated disc. It also shows the multiple step drawing process to make a cartridge case, and discusses the need to anneal, or soften, the mouth of the case to prevent cracks forming. There is even a bit of metallurgy covered in relation to the alloying of copper and zinc to create a suitable blend of brass.

Part III, Ballistics, contains a HUGE amount of complex mathematics and charts. One day, when I have much more time on my hands, I am going to revisit this portion. So far, I have only scanned over it. It has chapters on Internal, External, and Terminal (Wound) Ballistics. Between part III Ballistics, and part II, Ammunition, this book is university-level course material.

Part IV, Appendices is a collection of charts, range tables, and tables, etc.

This book is definitely not a lovely coffee table book, nor is it light reading. It is a serious study of the science of small arms during the inter-war years, prepared by the British War Office (Equivalent to the U.S Department of Defense.), and originally printed by His Majesty’s Stationary Office. The N&MP edition is an accurate reproduction of the original, so it contains the same older style font, and small type. As the original textbook contained relatively few photographs (and certainly no color photos.), neither does this edition.

With that in mind, if you are interested in older reference books that go well beyond the usual level of detail, consider this one.

Measures 8 x 11.5 inches, 427 pages. Soft cover. £22.00 (approx. $29)

The Complete Lewis Gunner is a small, pocket size (5×8-inch, 80 pages) manual that gives a concise introduction to the U.S.-designed, British-made light machine gun. This booklet is a 1941 re-issue of an instruction manual first published in 1918. While the Lewis MG is thought of as primarily a WW I weapon, it certainly did see service in WW II as well. The booklet covers the parts in an interesting fashion. It first describes the stationary parts, and then covers the moving parts in a following chapter. Odd, but effective… Next is a very basic look at Stripping and Assembling, then an explanation of how the mechanism works, followed by Stoppages. Other chapters are Elementary Drill, Care and Cleaning, Points before, During and After Firing, and Additional Notes… The Appendix explains the differences between the British version in .303 and the U.S. version in 30-06 (called .300 American in the U.K.).

This is a fun little book, especially if you collect military manuals. Or Lewis MGs! Soft cover, £4.95 (approx. $6.60)

The Naval & Military Press website is well worth a look. As noted above, N&MP also carries books from other publishers. These are often bought in large quantities at good discounts, allowing them to pass these savings onto their customers. Shipping from the U.K. to the USA can be a deal-breaker, so getting some nice discounts, and bundling several books together can be a deal saver.

Website: naval-military-press.com

The title of this article is probably confusing to many readers, who may wonder what’s a Model HR4332 submachine gun? Well, it’s better known as an UZI, not made in Israel, but made in the USA.

For any original foreign-made machine gun to be transferable to civilians, they had to be imported before 1968. Very few original Israeli Military Industry factory-made UZI submachine guns were imported before that time, making transferable examples quite rare.

The UZI submachine gun has, arguably, replaced the Thompson as the most recognizable submachine gun on the planet. The UZI was conceived by Israeli military officer Uziel Gal, with a suitable design emerging in 1951. After competing in a rigorous competition against other weapons, the UZI was declared the winner and adopted during 1954, with some recommended changes, by the Israeli Defense Force. The UZI was manufactured in Israel, and under license by FN of Belgium. The 9mm weapon was adopted by over 90 countries. The UZI was even selected by the United States Secret Service to protect the president. 

UZI Semi-Automatic Carbines

During 1980, Action Arms of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania began importing semi-automatic only, closed bolt, IMI 9mm UZI carbines. According to the available figures, approximately 72,000 were imported. From 1980 to 1983, the UZI carbines were the Model A version, which had sights that were the same as those on submachine guns. The front sight was used to adjust windage and elevation, the rear sight was a flip L-type with two positions for 100- and 200-meter ranges. During 1983, IMI introduced an updated UZI carbine called the Model B, the primary difference was the sights. The front sight was only adjustable for elevation, the rear sight was also a two-position flip L-type with 100- and 200-meter ranges and adjustable for windage. The Model B also had an improved firing pin safety feature. Approximately 36,000 Model B UZIs were imported. In addition to the 9mm models, there were .45 ACP and .41 AE calibers available. The serial numbers all had an SA (semi-automatic) prefix. Besides being semi-automatic, the UZI carbines had a rather hideous looking 16.1-inch long barrel to comply with U.S. federal laws. While the UZI submachine guns came with a 10.2-inch-long barrel. Action Arms also imported Mini and Micro variations of the UZI. During July of 1989, the UZI carbine was one of forty-three semi-automatic firearms named to be banned from importation to the U.S.  

UZI Carbine Conversions

Since the semi-automatic UZI carbines were imported prior to the May 1986 cutoff date to register transferable machine guns, it didn’t take long for many Class II manufacturers and individuals to register and convert many of the semi-autos into machine guns. One question that comes up fairly often on the Class III discussion boards is, “who did factory-correct UZI conversions?” The short answer is no one, because there were few original Israeli UZI parts available when legal conversions were performed, and those parts that were available were very expensive. During the 1980s, UZI parts kits, common today, were not available back then. The UZI was in service with the Israeli military until a phase-out of the weapon began in 2003.  Consequently, many semi-auto parts, like the barrels, grip assemblies, and top covers had to be altered and used. The average retail cost of a converted UZI with a registered receiver prior to 1986 was $700 to $750. When you figure in the dealer cost of $479 for the host semi-automatic carbine, there wasn’t a whole lot of profit to be made for the work involved. Several different methods were used for conversions, as well. There were those that modified and registered the receiver, while others registered the bolts, or in a few cases, the sears.

Before the semi-automatic UZI carbines could be imported, there were several design modifications required by ATF so they could not be “readily converted” into machine guns. There were provisions made so that submachine gun parts could not be installed into the receivers. One was a blocking bar that was welded on the inside wall of the receiver, which prevented the installation of a submachine gun bolt assembly, the semi-auto bolt was slotted to clear it.

Another was the trunnion and ring around the feed ramp that prevented the installation of a submachine gun barrel and bolt. To prevent installing a submachine gun grip assembly on a semi-automatic carbine, the submachine gun take-down pins were 8mm in diameter, the semi-automatic carbines used a larger 9mm pin. To prevent the installation of a submachine gun sear, the holes in the floor of the receiver were made smaller.

Group Industries

Group Industries of Louisville, Kentucky was founded by Michael Brown during the early 1980s. In the beginning, Brown was basically doing gunsmithing work, concentrating on, then legal, conversions of semi-automatic firearms to select-fire. One of his specialties was converting the UZI carbines into submachine guns. As mentioned earlier, during this period there were very few surplus UZI parts kits available. To support the large number of Action Arms / IMI semi-automatic UZI carbines being converted by himself and a host of other Class II manufacturers and individuals, Group Industries manufactured conversion parts, to include subgun bolts, barrels, top covers, sears, spring kits and more. If you have a converted IMI semi-automatic carbine there is a good chance it was upgraded to a submachine gun with parts from Group Industries.

Group Industries Model HR4332

Since Group Industries already had many UZI parts available, it was only natural that they should make their own receivers. To help fund the ambitious project, Brown partnered with Roger Small, president of the Automatic Weaponry Company, located in Brentwood, Tennessee. Part of the deal was that Automatic Weaponry would get exclusive marketing rights to the U.S.-made UZI.  

Group receivers, unlike the semi-autos from IMI, were made to submachine gun specs permitting the use and interchangeability of parts with their Israeli made UZI subgun counterparts. By January of 1986, Group Industries had all the tooling and stamping dies needed and was set up to manufacture their UZI receivers, their timing couldn’t have been worse. By the time they got under way everyone became aware of the pending laws that would end the manufacturing and converting of transferable machine guns. Group Industries, like all other Class II manufacturers around the country, worked day and night to get as many receivers registered as possible. No one at the time knew what ATF would be considering complete enough to be accepted and registered. In the end, Group was able to register 4,079 UZI transferable receivers, 109 additional receivers were not accepted and became post-’86 dealer samples. The receivers were stamped from commercial-grade, cold-rolled steel, while the bolt, disconnector, sear and pins were made from 4140 steel. Many parts, including the receivers, were heat-treated. The UZIs were finished in a gray Parkerizing, the plastic furniture was available in standard green or optional black colors. Receivers were marked with three calibers: 9mm/45 ACP and 22. However, ATF is currently rejecting any transfer forms stating multiple calibers. So, if you are transferring an UZI, putting one caliber in the appropriate block will save you some aggravation.     

Group Industries manufactured other NFA firearms, but in much smaller lots than the UZIs. Group is known for their BAR receivers, their stainless-steel M16 receivers, M2 Browning and M37 machinegun sideplates. Group also manufactured and registered UZI bolts.

HR 4332 The McClure-Volkmer Firearm Owners Protection Act

On April 10, 1986, U.S. Representative William Hughes, a Democrat from New Jersey, attached his House amendment 777 to H.R. 4332 “The Firearm Owners’ Protection Act”.  The amendment made it “unlawful for any person to transfer or possess a machinegun except in the case of a machinegun that was lawfully possessed before the date of enactment.” The added amendment was passed by a voice vote. On 19 May 1986, then President Ronald Regan signed the bill to become Public Law 99-308.  As a bit of sarcasm Group Industries named their new UZI submachine gun the Model HR4332 after the House of Representatives Bill.

Soon Group Industries would experience more problems, jeopardizing the future of their UZI submachine gun production. Group’s partners, Brown and Small, got into a legal dispute. By this point only 761 HR4332 submachine guns had been completed by Group.  During 1993, Group Industries filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy for protection from creditors. But by 1995 the court ordered the assets of Group Industries to be liquidated under Chapter 7. An auction was held on 24 August 1995. A successful bidder was Marcos Garcia who bid $265,000 for 3318 transferable UZI and 109 post-May dealer sample UZI receivers. With the buyer’s premium the total bill was $291,500, resulting in each receiver costing $85.06. The winning bidder was the representative of Ralph Merrill, president of Vector Arms,  they did not bid on any of the parts or fixtures to complete the guns.  

There were many other firearms, parts and vehicles sold at the auction. One related lot of 15,505 Group Industries’ semi-auto UZI receivers sold for $550 or about four cents each. The reason for the low bid was the receivers were deemed post-1994 manufacture by ATF and at that time could not legally be made into UZI carbines. However, after the assault weapon ban expired in 2004, many of the receivers were assembled into semi-automatic carbines by a number of companies. 

Vector Arms

It seemed as though Vector would pick up where Group Industries left off and resume the manufacture of a U.S. made UZI, but it would take years and a lot of effort to finally get the guns built and marketed.  

After Vector Arms won the transferable UZI receivers at the Group Industries auction, the company began to look for a source for the parts needed to complete the guns. Logically, the first places to look for parts was from the companies that made them, but the UZI was long out of production by IMI and FN, and neither company was interested in a parts run. There were a few other countries that manufactured copies of the UZI, Croatia and South Africa. A deal with Croatia fell through, but South Africa had brand new UZI submachine guns stored in a warehouse they wanted to sell. However, getting the guns disassembled and the needed parts shipped to the U.S. proved to be a logistical nightmare. Due diligence paid off and the needed parts made it to Vector’s facility in North Salt Lake, Utah and production began in 1998. Finally, in May of 1999 nearly four years after procuring the receivers from the auction, the first Vector UZI submachine gun was shipped. The retail price was $2995 and the gun came with a one-year factory warranty. Today, a transferable UZI costs up to six times that amount. The new UZI was an immediate success. Thirteen years after the 1986 ban on machine gun production, brand-new submachine guns were again available. The number of submachine guns Vector had to sell was very limited and were soon sold out. To remain in business, Vector obtained a number of the Group Industries semi-automatic receivers and began to build UZI carbines, which at this point in time, 2004, were again legal to manufacture.

Although Vector UZIs will have Group Industries name and logo on them, Vector assembled guns were marked on the left side of the receiver “Vector Arms NSL UT”.

APEX TACTICAL

Plus-2 Base Pad for FNX-45

Apex has expanded its support for the FN line of pistols with a new Plus-2 magazine base pad extension for the FNX-45 model pistol.

Machined from aluminum and black hardcoat anodized for durability, the new Apex FNX-45 base pad easily increases magazine capacity by two rounds and provides enough space for the stack to further compress the magazine spring to allow a fully loaded magazine to be seated with the slide in battery. The base pad’s integrated finger grooves make stripping a magazine easy.
MSRP: $34.95
ApexTactical.com

RMT TRIGGERS

The Nomad Drop-In AR-15 Trigger

The Nomad Trigger offers one-of-a-kind, patented Pivot Technology to provide users with the most forgiving and precise trigger on the market. This new technology allows the trigger to adjust freely to the shooter’s natural position and minimize error through each individual trigger pull. The Nomad Trigger is engineered to move and index correctly every time, allowing the firearm to remain stable through a variety of shooting positions and trigger pulls. In short, the trigger freely adjusts left-to-right and the shoe itself rotates to the natural position of the shooter rather than the other way around. Besides the forgiving pivoting nature of the trigger, users will enjoy a very crisp 3-pound pull, a short .017-inch reset and a lifetime warranty.

The housing and trigger are both of anodized 7075 aluminum with 440c stainless steel for key internal components, and S7 tool steel for maximum durability of the hammer itself.  These components are machined to medical grade fit and finish to ensure a smooth, crisp, and consistent pull.

Features:

MSRP: $279.99
rmttriggers.com

VIRIDIAN WEAP0N TECHNOLOGIES

E Series Laser Sight for Springfield Armory Hellcat

The Viridian Weapon Technologies new green E Series laser sight for the Springfield Hellcat micro-compact 9mm pistol is available in both black and FDE housings.

“The Hellcat has quickly become a favorite for concealed carry,” said Viridian President and CEO Brian Hedeen. “Viridian is offering a green E Series laser sight for the Hellcat. Now Hellcat owners have an even more versatile way to get on target fast. With the compact design of the Hellcat with the E Series laser, and the Hellcat’s exceptional capacity, this is a solid option for self-defense.”

The green E Series laser is visible at up to 100 yards in daylight and at over two miles at night. The E Series laser sight mounts to the trigger guard and features an ambidextrous on/off button with a 5-minute auto shut off to preserve battery life.

MSRP: $132 / ViridianWeaponTech.com

Savage Arms

6.5 PRC to 110 Precision Lineup

Savage Arms is adding 6.5 PRC to its line of 110 Precision rifles. The new chambering provides outstanding short-magnum potential from an adaptable rifle platform that will be chambered in both right and left-hand configurations.

“The 6.5 PRC was originally designed as a long-range hunting round,” said Jessica Treglia, Sr. Brand Manager at Savage Arms. “This is essentially a magnum version of the 6.5 Creedmoor—but much of what makes the 6.5 PRC cartridge great for hunting makes it a contender on the competition side, too. 6.5mm bullets are known for their exceptional ballistic coefficients and the 6.5 PRC adds more velocity from its short-magnum design. They are performing really well and are especially capable in adverse conditions.”

The 110 Precision line is built around Savage’s 110 action. With a custom LSS stock designed by the accuracy experts at Modular Driven Technologies (MDT), the 110 Precision is fully customizable. From the adjustable comb height and length of pull to the capabilities of its AccuTriger, this aluminum-framed rifle is built for exacting performance.

Features:

• 24-inch barrel
• Savage factory blueprinted action
• Matte black carbon steel heavy barrel, threaded 5/8-24
• MDT LSS XL Chassis with FDE Cerakote
• Exclusive skeletonized stock with fully adjustable comb height and length-of-pull
• 1.5 to 4-pound user adjustable AccuTrigger
• 20-MOA, one–piece EGW rail
• AICS magazine
• BA Muzzle brake

MSRP: $1,595
savagearms.com

Andro Corp.’s

AR15/M16 TiN Gold BCG

Andro Corp., a Florida-based designer and manufacturer of quality AR platforms, uppers, lowers, and AR parts, announce the popular ACI gold polished titanium nitride hard coat BCG for AR15/M16’s is back in stock.

The gold polish adds more to the ACI BCG than just gun bling; it actually lengthens the life of the TiN nitride BCG by providing additional lubricity while combating friction. ACI’s full-auto profiled AR15/M16 TiN BCG is machined from 8620 alloy, heat-treated, and ultrasonically cleaned. The hard chrome bore is physical vapor deposition (PVD) coated gold and polished. ACI’s gold-polished BCG is meant to accept the punishment of continuous use in any environment while maintaining optimal performance.

Additionally, the 9310 alloy bolt, machined 4140 tool steel alloy extractor, 4130 chromoly steel alloy gas key, and 4340 chromoly steel alloy camp pin are all PVD coated and polished for additional lubricity and corrosion resistance.

ACI’s AR15/M16 TiN Gold Polished BCG is HP proof tested without evidence of failure 100 percent by using a high-pressure M197 or SAAMI commercial equivalent. MPI testing occurs after the successful HP proof test, using the ASTM E1444 inspection standard five-turn magnetizing coil.

ACI’s AR15/M16 TiN nitride BCG is 100 percent made in the USA and fully backed by ACI’s Lifetime Warranty.

MSRP $199.00
AndroCorpInd.com

Tasmanian Tiger USA

TT Tac Pouch 14

Tasmanian Tiger, a tactical nylon line of products distributed exclusively for the U.S. market by Proforce Equipment, Inc., introduces the TT Tac Pouch 14. This accessory pouch with a MOLLE reverse system features MOLLE hook-and-loop and a mesh pouch inside. There are internal, variable mounting points for storing medical equipment, making this pouch ideal for medics in the field. It is also hydration system compatible with the corresponding tube guide. The front pocket has a vertical zipper, and the side panels are elastic. The entire system can be packed flat with bungee cords.

Features:

• Made from 70D Cordura
• 17.5 ounces
• 15 x 9 x 4 inches
• Needs two PALS/MOLLE loops
• Black, Olive, and Coyote

MSRP $110
TasmanianTigerUSA.com

ATHLON OPTICS

Helos BTR GEN2 4-20X50 

The Helos BTR GEN2 4-20×50 is equally suited to a modern hunting rifle or an operator’s DMR. Ideal, for anyone looking for a solution to midrange to long range applications, whether you dial or holdover. Robustly built with fool-proof turrets now featuring true precision zero stop and locking turrets, the Helos BTR GEN2 4-20 is ready to deploy in any field.

• Reticle Focal Plane: First Focal Plane
• Tube Size: 30 mm
• Unit of Measure: MIL or MOA
• Reticle Type: Illuminated ranging
• Reticle Model: APLR6
• Diopter Setting: fast focus
• Number of Illum. Settings: 6
• Elevation Turret Mechanism: Locking, Push-Pull
• Revolution Indicator: None
• Zeroing Mechanism: Quick-set
• Zero Stop: Yes
• Windage Adj. Type: Locking, Push-Pull
• W/E Turret Adj. Value/Click: .25 MOA
• W/E Turret Total Adj. Range: 80 MOA/100 MOA
• W/E Turret Adj. Per Rev.: 25 MOA
• Parallax/Side-Focus Adjust: Yes
• Min. Parallax-Free Distance: 10 yards
• Linear FOV (ft@100yds): 27.9-5.6 feet
• Eye Relief High Mag:  3.8 inches
• Exit Pupil (Low-High Mag.): 24 – 4 mm
• Length:  13.3 inches
• Weight: 27.6 ounces
• MSRP: $750
• URL: athlonoptics.com

ATHLON OPTICS

Cronus BTR GEN2 4.5-29×56

A titan in long range precision. Poor weather and low light conditions are no match for UHD extra-low dispersion lenses. Cut through mirage and leave the competition in the dust. From precision shooting to the most demanding hunt, the Cronus BTR GEN2 is up to the challenge.

• Reticle Focal Plane: First Focal Plane
• Tube Size: 34 mm
• Unit of Measure: MIL or MOA
• Reticle Type: Illuminated ranging
• Reticle Model: APLR5
• Diopter Setting: Fast focus
• Number of Illum. Settings: 11
• Elevation Turret Mechanism: Exposed Turrets
• Revolution Indicator: None
• Zeroing Mechanism: Slip-turrets
• Zero Stop: Yes
• Windage Adj. Type: Exposed
• W/E Turret Adj. Value/Click: .25 MOA
• W/E Turret Total Adj. Range: 64 MOA/110 MOA
• W/E Turret Adj. Per Rev.: 25 MOA
• Parallax/Side-Focus Adjust: Yes
• Min. Parallax-Free Distance: 25 yards
• Linear FOV (ft@100yds): 24.8 – 3.8 feet
• Eye Relief High Mag: 3.8 inches
• Exit Pupil (Low-High Mag.): 8.8 – 1.9 mm
• Length:  14.4 inches
• Weight: 35.8 ounces
• MSRP: $2000
• URL: athlonoptics.com

Crimson Trace

Hardline Pro 1-6x LPVO

The Crimson Trace Hardline Pro 1-6X LPVO is optimized for both competition and home defense. With best-in-class features including ELD glass, an illuminated reticle, superior eye relief, aerospace-grade aluminum construction, zero-reset turrets, and a fast-focus eyepiece, this LPVO belongs on any AR/MSR platform.

• Reticle Focal Plane: Second focal plane
• Tube Size: 30 mm
• Unit of Measure: MOA
• Reticle Type: illuminated
• Reticle Model: Crimson Trace BDC – Competition
• Diopter Setting: fast focus
• Number of Illum. Settings: 10
• Elevation Turret Mechanism: Capped
• Revolution Indicator: None
• Zeroing Mechanism: Set-screws
• Zero Stop: None
• Windage Adj. Type: Capped
• W/E Turret Adj. Value/Click:1/4 MOA
• W/E Turret Total Adj. Range: 130 MOA
• W/E Turret Adj. Per Rev.: 25 MOA
• Parallax/Side-Focus Adjust: None
• Min. Parallax-Free Distance: 100 yards
• Linear FOV (ft@100yds): 110.3 – 18.4 feet
• Eye Relief High Mag:  3.8 inches
• Exit Pupil (Low-High Mag.): 24 – 4 mm
• Length:  11 7/8 inches
• Weight: 1.32 pounds
• MSRP: $845
• URL: crimsontrace.com

Horus Vision

HoVR 5-20×50 Rifle Scope

Do you want the reticle of US SOCOM or the Official Reticle of the Precision Rifle Series? The HoVR 5-20×50 is it! This provides all the features you need to optimize the use of a HORUS reticle with crisp images, excellent color & lifetime warranty.

• Reticle Focal Plane: First focal plane
• Tube Size: 30 mm
• Unit of Measure: MIL or MOA (dependent on reticle)
• Reticle Type: Non-illuminated
• Reticle Model: TREMOR3 or TREMOR5 or H59
• Diopter Setting: Fast focus
• Number of Illum. Settings: N/A
• Elevation Turret Mechanism: Uncapped
• Revolution Indicator: Yes
• Zeroing Mechanism: Set Screws
• Zero Stop: Yes
• Windage Adj. Type: Capped
• W/E Turret Adj. Value/Click: .1 MIL or .25 MOA
• W/E Turret Total Adj. Range: 14.5 MIL / 17.5 MIL
• W/E Turret Adj. Per Rev.: 5 MIL
• Parallax/Side-Focus Adjust: Yes
• Min. Parallax-Free Distance: 25
• Linear FOV (ft@100yds): 20 – 5.3 feet
• Eye Relief High Mag: 2.52 – 3.7 inches
• Exit Pupil (Low-High Mag.): 9.9 – 2.6 mm
• Length: 13.42 inches
• Weight: 28.8 ounces
• MSRP: $1500
• URL: horusvision.com

LEUPOLD

Patrol 6HD CDS-ZL2

Designed to help defend your ground, the ultra-lightweight, low-profile design of the Leupold Patrol 6HD deploys quickly, while its 1-6x magnification lets you engage targets anywhere–from tight corners to open fields. One features ¼-MOA adjustments using a traditional capped dial and is equipped with and Illuminated FireDot Duplex reticle. The other still has ¼-MOA adjustments but comes equipped with Leupold’s CDS-ZL2 dial system.

• Reticle Focal Plane: Second focal plane
• Tube Size: 30 mm
• Unit of Measure: MOA
• Reticle Type: Illuminated Duplex or Illuminated ranging
• Reticle Model: FireDot Duplex or CM-R2
• Diopter Setting: Fast focus
• Number of Illum. Settings: 8
• Elevation Turret Mechanism: Push-button, zero lock
• Revolution Indicator: 2 revolutions
• Zeroing Mechanism: Set-screws
• Zero Stop: Yes
• Windage Adj. Type: Capped
• W/E Turret Adj. Value/Click: ¼ MOA
• W/E Turret Total Adj. Range: 170 MOA
• W/E Turret Adj. Per Rev.: 20 MOA
• Parallax/Side-Focus Adjust: No
• Min. Parallax-Free Distance: 150 yards
• Linear FOV (ft@100yds): 120.9 – 19.2 feet
• Eye Relief High Mag: 3.7 inches
• Exit Pupil (Low-High Mag.): 10 – 4 mm
• Length: 10.8 inches
• Weight: 16.2 ounces
• MSRP: $1500
• URL: leupold.com

MEOPTA

Optika5 2-10×42 PA

The Meopta Optika5 2-10×42 PA riflescope is engineered to withstand heavy recoil and features a side parallax adjustment from 10 yards to infinity. This exceptionally versatile riflescope delivers razor-sharp image focus at close ranges and gives hunters and target shooters the ability to dial in the focus at longer ranges.

• Reticle Focal Plane: Second focal plane
• Tube Size: 1-inch
• Unit of Measure: MOA
• Reticle Type: non-illuminated
• Reticle Model: Z-Plus, which has holds
• Diopter Setting: Fast focus, +2.0 to -2.0
• Number of Illum. Settings: N/A
• Elevation Turret Mechanism: capped, zero-reset turrets
• Revolution Indicator: None
• Zeroing Mechanism: Tool-less
• Zero Stop: None
• Windage Adj. Type: Capped
• W/E Turret Adj. Value/Click: ¼ MOA
• W/E Turret Total Adj. Range: 60 / 60 MOA
• W/E Turret Adj. Per Rev.: 24 MOA
• Parallax/Side-Focus Adjust: Yes
• Min. Parallax-Free Distance: 10 yards
• Linear FOV (ft@100yds): 55.7-11.5 feet
• Eye Relief High Mag: 3.6 inches
• Exit Pupil (Low-High Mag.): 10.5 – 4.2 mm
• Length: 12.13 inches
• Weight: 20.8 ounces
• MSRP: $349.99
• URL: meoptasportoptics.com

MEOPTA

Optika6 3-18×50

The Meopta Optika6 3-18×50 FFP MRAD-1 precision riflescope features a 30mm tube, 6x zoom, zero-reset turrets, and advanced MeoBright lens coatings that deliver edge-to-edge clarity and exceptionally bright, sharp images. Rubber-armored target turrets ensure a non-slip grip. The zoom ring has a multi-position throw lever and rear-facing display allowing easy viewing of the power setting from behind the scope.

• Reticle Focal Plane: First focal plane
• Tube Size: 30 mm
• Unit of Measure: MIL
• Reticle Type: Illuminated
• Reticle Model: MRAD-1
• Diopter Setting: Fast-focus, non-locking
• Number of Illum. Settings: 6
• Elevation Turret Mechanism: Exposed, push-pull locking
• Revolution Indicator: None
• Zeroing Mechanism: Tool-less
• Zero Stop: Yes
• Windage Adj. Type: Capped
• W/E Turret Adj. Value/Click: 0.1 MIL
• W/E Turret Total Adj. Range: 90 MOA
• W/E Turret Adj. Per Rev.: 10 MIL
• Parallax/Side-Focus Adjust: Yes
• Min. Parallax-Free Distance: 25 yards – infinity
• Linear FOV (ft@100yds): 33.6 – 5.7 feet
• Eye Relief High Mag: 3.94 inches
• Exit Pupil (Low-High Mag.): 9.5 – 2.8 mm
• Length: 14.61 inches
• Weight: 30 ounces
• MSRP: $749.99
• URL: meoptasportoptics.com

MEPROLIGHT

Mepro Foresight

More than a red dot sight, it’s command central for any training or personal defense mission you face. These new optical sights provide situational awareness with a real-time data feed in your field of view, including a leveler, compass heading, and more. Bluetooth connectivity creates efficiencies like instant access to more than 20 reticles and up to 10 personal firearm profiles, while our DoubleShoot App provides automatic digital zeroing when you upload an image of your target, key performance data, and more. It’s the missing link of intelligence between marksman and machine.

• Optical Magnification: 1x
• Reticle Type: User selectable- green/yellow
• Power Supply: Rechargeable battery, USB-C Port
• Aperture Window: 33mm x 20mm                   
• Dimensions: 4.6 x 2.3 x 2.6 inches
• Weight: 9.9 ounces
• MSRP: $770
• URL: meprolight.com

MEPROLIGHT

Mepro RDS Pro V2

The Mepro RDS Pro V2 red dot is the civilian counterpart to the battle sight trusted by the Israel Defense Force and other elite military and law-enforcement units worldwide. This battle-proven operative is the next iteration of the original Mepro RDS red dot. A Picatinny-mounted sight with an ultra-wide display window that gives you outstanding situational awareness and features a 2 MOA red dot, 16 brightness settings for any lighting conditions, preset reticle patterns: dot or bullseye in red or green, and thousands of hours of run time for a single AA battery. The efficient LED power, auto-shutoff, and motion sensor keep the energy up so it’s ready when you need it most.

• Reticle Type: Illuminated, red or green
• Number of Illum. Settings: 16
• Power Supply: Single AA battery
• Battery Life: 1000+ hours
• Aperture Window: 33mm x 20mm
• Dimensions: 4.6 x 2.3 x 2.7 inches                               
• Weight: 10.6 ounces
• MSRP: $600
• URL: meprolight.com

N-VISION OPTICS

Halo-Xrf Thermal Scope

N-Vision Optics’ HALO-XRF combines state of the art BAE thermal imaging Core with top customer demanded features, such as integrated laser range finder, onboard video recording, and WiFi connectivity. HALO-XRF is proudly designed and built in the USA, making it the ultimate US-made thermal scope with integrated LRF available to the hunting market.

• Sensor Pixel Pitch: 12 um
• Resolution: 640 x 480
• Refresh Rate:  60 Hz
• Lens: 50mm f/1.1
• Focus: Fixed
• Digital Zoom: 1x/2x/4x/8x
• Magnification: 3.5x
• Display Type: OLED 640×480 B&W
• Power Source: 2x 18650 batteries
• Remote Power: USB 5.0V
• External Connector: Waterproof USB-C
• Calibration (NUC) Manual: Manual
• Detection Range: 2020 yards
• Recognition Range: 726 yards
• Identification Range: 380 yards
• Weight: 41.5 ounces
• Size: 8.9 x 4.1 x 3.4 inches
• MSRP: $9495
• URL: nvisionoptics.com

N-VISION OPTICS

NOX35 THERMAL SCOPE

Nox35 is a 12-micron 60 Hz small, light, and fully functional thermal weapon sight that can serve double duty as a head-mounted monocular or a scanner. The NOX35 is proudly designed and built in the USA, using the best commercially available 640 x 480 60 Hz BAE thermal imaging core and the highest grade optical components.

• Sensor Pixel Pitch: 12 um
• Resolution: 640 x 480
• Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
• Magnification: 2.5x
• Lens: 35mm f/1.1
• Focus: Manual, non-rotating
• Field of View: 12.2(H) x 9.3(V); 15.1 (diagonal)
• Digital Zoom: 1x/2x/4x/8x
• Display Type: OLED 640×480 B&W
• Power Source: 1x CR123 or 1x 18650
• Remote Power: USB 5.0V
• External Connector: Waterproof USB-C
• Calibration (NUC): Manual
• Weight, CR123 Battery: 16.9 ounces (w/o weapon mount) /19.3 ounces (w/ weapon mount)
• Weight, 18650 Battery: 18.7 ounces (w/o weapon mount) /21.0 ounces (w/ weapon mount)
• Size, CR123 Battery: 6.8×2.9×2.4 inches (w/o weapon mount)/ 6.8×2.9×3.0 inches (w/ weapon mount)
• Size, 18650 Battery: 6.8×2.9×2.4 inches (w/o weapon mount)/ 6.8×2.9×3.0 inches (w/ weapon mount)
• Detection Range: 1,491 yards
• Recognition Range: 524 yards
• Identification Range: 270 yards
• MSRP: $6795
• URL: nvisionoptics.com

PRIMARY ARMS

PLx 1-8×24

The Primary Arms Optics PLx 1-8x24mm FFP compact rifle scope achieves unprecedented speed and precision in an ultra-compact, lightweight body. This cutting-edge optic combines extra-low dispersion lenses, AutoLive Illumination technology, and user-configurable tactical turrets. Put to the test, this scope is certain to impress even the most discerning professionals.

• Reticle Focal Plane: First focal plane
• Tube Size: 30 mm
• Unit of Measure: MRAD
• Reticle Type: illuminated BDC/Illuminated MRAD grid
• Reticle Model: ACSS Raptor M8/ACSS Griffin M8
• Diopter Setting: non-locking/fast focus
• Number of Illum. Settings: 10
• Elevation Turret Mechanism: Push-pull, locking
• Revolution Indicator: No
• Zeroing Mechanism: Tool-less
• Zero Stop: No
• Windage Adj. Type: Push-pull, locking
• W/E Turret Adj. Value/Click: 1/10 MIL
• W/E Turret Total Adj. Range: 100 MOA
• W/E Turret Adj. Per Rev.: 10 MIL
• Parallax/Side-Focus Adjust: N
• Min. Parallax-Free Distance: 100 Yards
• Linear FOV (ft@100yds): 121- 14.6 feet
• Eye Relief High Mag: 3.35-3.66 inches
• Exit Pupil (Low-High Mag.): 7.9-3.0 mm
• Length: 9.4 inches
• Weight: 17.1 ounces
• MSRP: $1500
• URL: primaryarms.com

PRIMARY ARMS

SLx 1X MicroPrism with Red Illuminated ACSS Cyclops Gen 2 Reticle

The Primary Arms SLx 1x MicroPrism is an advanced CQB optical system with an ultra-compact housing, compatible with backup iron sights and magnifiers. Combining the best features of red dot sights and prism scopes, the SLx 1x MicroPrism is fast, lightweight, and highly durable. With its adjustable diopter, daylight-bright illumination, and updated ACSS Cyclops G2 reticle, the new 1x MicroPrism offers greater precision than a basic red dot while accommodating even severe astigmatism.

• Reticle Focal Plane: Prism
• Tube Size: N/A
• Unit of Measure: MOA
• Reticle Type: Partial Illumination
• Reticle Model: ACSS CYCLOPS G2
• Diopter Setting: Non-locking/fast focus
• Number of Illum. Settings: 13 including night vision and true daylight bright
• Elevation Turret Mechanism: Exposed/recessed
• Revolution Indicator: No
• Zeroing Mechanism: Tool-less
• Zero Stop: None
• Windage Adj. Type: Exposed/recessed
• W/E Turret Adj. Value/Click: 1 MOA
• W/E Turret Total Adj. Range: 120 MOA
• W/E Turret Adj. Per Rev.: 80 MOA
• Parallax/Side-Focus Adjust: None
• Min. Parallax-Free Distance: 100 Yards
• Linear FOV (ft@100yds): 76.5 ft
• Eye Relief High Mag: 3.6 inches
• Exit Pupil (Low-High Mag.): 15.6 mm
• Length: 2.48 inches
• Weight: 5.5 ounces (7.6 ounces w/riser)
• MSRP: $250
• URL: primaryarms.com

SCHMIDT & BENDER, INC

3-20×50 PMII Ultra Short

The brilliant optical performance and large field-of-view on low power makes the compact 3-20×50 PM II Ultra Short perfect for medium to long-range targets. It features a powerful 6.7x zoom which is rugged and lightweight and ideal for compact weapon systems. This optic is in service with the U.S. Air Force and German Army.

• Reticle: First focal plane
• Tube Size: 34 mm
• Unit of Measure: MOA or MRAD
• Reticle Type: Illuminated, with holds
• Reticle Model: TReMor3, H49, MSR, P4FL, H2CMR
• Diopter Setting: -3 dpt to +2dpt
• Number of Illum. Settings: 11
• Elevation Turret Mechanism: Low-profile, locking
• Revolution Indicator: Yes, pop-up plunger
• Zeroing Mechanism: Two set screws
• Zero Stop: Yes
• Windage Adj. Type: Capped
• W/E Turret Adj. Value/Click:  ¼ MOA, CW or CCW
• W/E Turret Total Adj. Range: 85.5 MOA Elevation, +/-15 MOA Windage
• Parallax/Side-Focus Adjust: Yes
• Min. Parallax-Free Distance: 82ft
• Linear FOV (ft@100yds): 38.8 – 6 feet
• Eye Relief High Mag: 3.5 inches
• Exit Pupil (Low-High Mag.): 11.4mm – 2.5mm
• Length: 13.5 inches
• Weight: 1.9 pounds
• MSRP: $3899 to $4999
• URL: schmidtundbender.de/en

SCHMIDT & BENDER, INC

1-8×24 PMII Short Dot Dual

The 1-8×24 Dual is the most technically advanced close combat and mid-range riflescope on the market. It combines a second focal plane red dot for close engagements with a first focal plane tactical reticle for accurate ranging and hold-offs. The generous eye box/exit pupil supports fast acquisition. This optic is in service with the German and French Army.

• Reticle: Dual, First focal plane reticle, Second focal plane red dot
• Tube Size: 34 mm
• Unit of Measure: MRAD
• Reticle Type: Illuminated with holds
• Reticle: MDR-T6 or MDR
• Diopter Setting: -3 dpt to +2 dpt
• Number of Illum. Settings: 6 settings
• Elevation Turret Mechanism: Low-profile, locking
• Revolution Indicator: No, single turn
• Zeroing Mechanism: Two set screws
• Zero Stop: Yes
• Windage Adj. Type: Locking
• W/E Turret Adj. Value/Click: 1cm, CW or CCW
• W/E Turret Total Adj. Range: 122cm Elevation, +/- 60cm Windage
• Parallax/Side-Focus Adjust: No
• Min. Parallax-Free Distance: 100m Fixed, 7m in Close Combat Mode
• Linear FOV (ft@100yds): 104.9 – 14.7 feet
• Eye Relief High Mag: 3.5 inches
• Exit Pupil (Low-High Mag.): 9.8mm – 3mm
• Length: 297mm, 11.6 inches
• Weight: 1.3 pounds / 630 grams
• MSRP: $4899 to $5199
• URL: schmidtundbender.de/en

TRIJICON

Trijicon 1-8×28 VCOG

The Trijicon 1-8×28 VCOG (Variable Combat Optical Gunsight) is a highly rugged, variable magnification riflescope designed for close quarter battle and long-distance marksmanship. With a forged, aircraft-grade 7075-T6 aluminum housing, the VCOG is nearly indestructible. Superior glass provides exceptional clarity and color with zero distortion. The universal segmented circle crosshair dot reticle is designed for multi-platform use, offers 11 user-selectable brightness settings and is powered by a lithium AA battery.

• Reticle Focal Plane: First Focal Plane
• Tube Size: 34 mm
• Unit of Measure: MOA and MRAD
• Reticle Type: Illuminated- holds
• Reticle Model: Segment Circle – Cross Dot
• Diopter Setting: Fast-focus
• Number of Illum. Settings: 11
• Elevation Turret Mechanism: Capped
• Revolution Indicator: Yes
• Zeroing Mechanism: Tool-less
• Zero Stop: None
• Windage Adj. Type: Capped
• W/E Turret Adj. Value/Click: ¼ MOA
• W/E Turret Total Adj. Range: 120 MOA
• W/E Turret Adj. Per Rev.: 20 MOA
• Parallax/Side-Focus Adjust: None
• Min. Parallax-Free Distance: 100 yards
• Linear FOV (ft@100yds): 109 – 13 feet
• Eye Relief High Mag: 4 inches
• Exit Pupil (Low-High Mag.): 10.16 – 3.56 mm
• Length: 10.8 inches
• Weight: 31.5 ounces
• MSRP: $2800
• URL: Trijicon.com

A mercenary who serves aboard the spaceship Serenity, Janye Cobb is a man who can be both admired and hated. Played by Adam Baldwin, Jayne is a lover of “good guns and fine women” while not being afraid to use violence to get what he wants. He became a crewman of Serenity after he was offered a better place to sleep and better pay. He also became the “Hero of Canton” after he accidently dropped a ton of stolen cash on a bunch of unsuspecting poor townsfolk. He does have a softer side when it comes to his mother, even wearing an ugly wool hat she sent to him as a present.

Jayne has quite a collection of guns, including his personal favorite, “Vera.” It is an interesting firearm that needs oxygen to fire. The most famous scene with it is when Captain Malcom accidentally ends up married and Jayne wants to exchange Vera for Mel’s wife. He is often seen using it in gun fights, including when the crew of the Serenity has to save Mel from a crime lord. According to Jayne, he got the gun during a fight with six men, one of whom was using Vera.

Vera was previously used in a 2002 movie called “Showtime.” It is actually a Saiga-12 with an insane amount of props on it. This semi-automatic shotgun, named after a type of antelope in Russia, is actually modeled after the AK-47 rifle, though there were are a few differences. The gun is used both by military forces and civilians, as it makes a good hunting shotgun. Some Saiga shotguns have an AK hand grip, while others are more like sportsmen shotgun, with the grip being part of the stock.

The Saiga shotguns come in a number of variants. Depending on the variant, the gun shoots ether 12-gauge, 20-gauge, or .410-gauge shells. The ammo is loaded into the gun through magazines. These magazines vary in sizes, from five rounds to ten rounds. There also drums, that holds from 12 rounds to 30 rounds. The gun weighs about eight pounds and varies in length depending on the gun variant and what type of stock the gun has. The insides are larger than the AK-47 so they can handle the shotgun shells. The safety is like the AK-47, so when the lever is up, it will not fire, and when it is down, it will.

Jayne actually has a large collection of guns. While a group of Alliance soldiers is searching his quarters, they find a Kimel AP-9, a SIG-Sauer P220 Sport, a Claridge LEC9, and a host of others. Other guns used by Jayne include a Colt Single Action Army Revolver, H&K770 sniper rifle, and a SIG-Sauer P229. In one scene in the first episode, Jayne sneaks up on a sniper, beats him and uses his sniper rifle, a Blaser R93 LRS2, to take out some enemies.

There are actually a lot of guns in the show “Firefly.” Some are western guns with a large amount of props on them that don’t do anything but make them look cool and futuristic. Mel’s gun is a Taurus 85 modified to look larger and like a gun from the old west. Most of the guns don’t have props on them, like some H&K MP5SD3s, L85A1s, and MP40s that are used by Alliance soldiers. Zoe, Mel’s second in command, has a cut-down Winchester Model 1892 as her weapon of choice. There are also Browning M2s made to look like DShk machine guns, though the author thinks they could have just tried to make them look more like a futuristic space gun.

The show “Firefly” is a great show. It may only be 14 episodes of one season, but it has a large following. All the characters in the show are great and acted well by good actors. Adam Baldwin was excellent as Jayne Cobb, playing a brutish man that can have a heart of gold. Nathan Fillion shines as Malcolm Reynolds. Summer Glau is outstanding as River Tam. Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk, Morena Baccarin, Sean Maher, Ron Glass, and Jewel Staite are all very good in their roles and all have their moments. The special effects and computer graphics are well done, especially the ships. It is a good series and definitely worth a watch, especially whenever the “Hero of Canton” is on screen.

SAR would like to thank the Weapons Department of Independent Studio Services in Sundale, CA for allowing us to photograph and record the history of these Movie Guns.

“Vera”

Jayne Cobb’s “Vera” started out as a Saiga-12 shotgun, and was initially made into a fantasy gun for the movie “Showtime” starring Robert DeNiro, Eddie Murphy, Rene Russo and William Shatner among others. The gun is a fable “Supergun” in the movie and the movie pretty much got panned by critics and audiences. Nice to see the “Supergun” turn to a place it can be appreciated, as Jayne Cobb’s favorite “Vera.” 

On November 3, 2021, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in New York State Rifle & Pistol Assoc. v. Bruen. All eyes are on the Court, as this is the first time in more than 10 years that the justices are examining the Second Amendment protections over self-defense. This case asks the question of whether the state’s denial of petitioners’ applications for concealed-carry licenses for self-defense violated the Second Amendment.

I. Background – New York Law and the Kachalsky Case

New York law makes it a crime to possess any firearm without a license, loaded or unloaded, inside or outside the home. To obtain a license, an individual must be 21 years old or older, of good moral character, without a history of crime or mental illness, and “concerning whom no good cause exists for the denial of the license.”

In addition to the above prerequisites, licenses are limited by place or profession. Licenses to possess a registered handgun in the home or in a place of business by a merchant or storekeeper are granted on a “shall issue” standard. This is also the case for a license for a messenger employed by a banking institution or express company to carry concealed, as well as for certain state and city judges and those employed by a prison or jail.

For anyone else who wishes to carry a firearm, he or she must show “proper cause” for a license to be issued. As New York bans carrying handguns openly, individuals who desire to carry a handgun outside the home but do not fit within one of the employment categories above must demonstrate proper cause.

The New York penal code does not define what constitutes “proper cause,” but state courts have interpreted the term to include carrying a handgun for target practice, hunting, or self-defense. Proper cause for target practice or hunting can be satisfied if the applicant demonstrates “a sincere desire to participate in target shooting and hunting.” This standard is lower than proper cause for self-defense, which requires the applicant to show a “special need for self-protection distinguishable from that of the general community or of persons engaged in the same profession.” If an applicant demonstrates only proper cause to carry a handgun for target practice or hunting, the licensing officer will restrict the carry license to the purposes justifying the issuance.

All conceal carry permit applications are reviewed by licensing officers who have a considerable amount of discretion in deciding whether to grant a license application. i.e., whether the applicant has established proper cause to justify issuance of the conceal carry license. To obtain a conceal carry license without restrictions (not restricted to hunting or target shooting purposes), the standard is very high. According to cases decided over the years, a generalized desire to carry a concealed weapon to protect oneself and property is not sufficient for obtaining an unrestricted carry license, nor is good moral character plus a simple desire to carry a weapon or living or being employed in a high crime area.

“A generalized desireto carry a concealed weapon to protect oneself and property is not sufficient for obtaining an unrestricted carry license.”

In 2012, several individuals and a civil rights association challenged the New York proper cause requirement in the case Kachalsky v. County of Westchester. In that case, multiple individual plaintiffs were denied full-carry concealed handgun licenses for failing to establish proper cause (none of the plaintiffs were able to demonstrate a need for self-protection distinguishable from that of the general public). The plaintiffs sued, challenging the constitutionality of the New York proper cause requirement. The District Court ruled against the plaintiffs, concluding that the concealed carrying of handguns in public is outside the core Second Amendment concern articulated in District of Columbia v. Heller (self-defense in the home).

On appeal, the Second Circuit upheld the lower court’s decision, finding the Second Amendment protections identified in Heller to be applicable only to the home. When it comes to carrying handguns in public, however, the court found the state to have a compelling interest in public safety and crime prevention. Consequently, the Second Circuit upheld the law on the grounds that it is substantially related to New York’s public safety interests.

II. The NYSRPA Case

In 2018, the NYSRPA, a firearms advocacy organization, and two individuals, Robert Nash and Brandon Koch, joined together and filed suit challenging once again the constitutionality of New York’s proper cause standard.

Petitioner Nash, who possessed a license restricted to hunting and target shooting, requested removal of the restrictions so that he may carry a firearm for self-defense. In support of his request, Nash cited to a string of recent robberies in his neighborhood and the fact that he had completed an advanced firearm safety training course. The licensing officer denied Nash’s request in November 2016 for failure to show proper cause because he did not demonstrate a special need for self-defense that distinguished him from the general public.

Petitioner Koch obtained his carry license in 2008 and like Nash, his license was restricted to hunting and target shooting. In November 2017, Koch requested removal of the restrictions from his license, citing his extensive experience in the safe handling and operation of firearms and completion of many safety training courses. Koch’s request was denied in January 2018 for failure to show proper cause because he did not demonstrate a special need for self-defense that distinguished him from the general public.

The parties filed suit in federal district court requesting the court compel defendants (New York licensing authorities) to issue unrestricted carry licenses to Nash and Koch, or otherwise allow them to exercise their right to carry firearms outside the home. The district court dismissed the case on the grounds that Kachalsky foreclosed plaintiff’s claims, and the Second Circuit Court affirmed the dismissal. The petitioners then appealed the case to the Supreme Court (also known as filing a writ of certiorari) presenting the following question: whether the Second Amendment allows the government to prohibit ordinary law-abiding citizens from carrying handguns outside the home for self-defense.

On April 26, 2021, the Supreme Court agreed to review the case, but narrowed the question to whether New York state’s denial of Nash and Koch’s applications for concealed-carry licenses for self-defense violated the Second Amendment. Citing to history and the text of the Second Amendment, petitioners argue the Second Amendment protects the right of the individual to carry arms outside the home for self-defense. Because New York’s restrictive carry regime means that the default is to prohibit law-abiding citizens from carrying handguns for self-defense, the state law violates the Second Amendment.

New York’s regime is all the more troubling because the threshold ‘proper cause’ determination is left to the broad discretion of a licensing officer. The Second Amendment, like the rest of the Bill of Rights, protects individuals against government actors. Requiring law-abiding individuals to secure the permission of a government official under a highly discretionary standard impermissibly converts a right into a privilege. – Brief for Petitioners at 42.

Respondents, arguing that the Second Amendment does not enshrine an unqualified right to carry concealed firearms in virtually any public place, contend New York has a valid interest in protecting the public and the licensing scheme is consistent with the Constitution.

“New York’s ‘proper cause’ requirement…does not seek to inhibit handgun carrying for lawful self-defense…but rather aims to limit the violence attending handgun misuse.” – Brief for Respondents at 40.

Oral argument took place on November 3, 2021. The attorney for petitioners, Paul Clement, centered on the argument that carrying a gun outside the home for self-defense purposes is a fundamental right enjoyed by citizens in 43 other states. Because it is a constitutional right, it must not be dependent on satisfying a government official that there is a “really good” need to exercise that right, or that there is a need that distinguishes the applicant from the rest of the community. Such a requirement transforms the right into a privilege.

“When it comes to carrying handguns in public, however, the court found the state to have a compelling interest in public safety and crime prevention.”

Distinguishing New York’s law from a government’s legitimate interest in restricting weapons in sensitive places, Clement argued “[i]t is the difference between regulating constitutionally protected activity and attempting to convert a fundamental constitutional right into a privilege that can only be enjoyed by those who can demonstrate to the satisfaction of a government official that they have an atypical need for the exercise of that right. That is not how constitutional rights work.”

Justice Alito asked Clement whether the Court could perhaps approach the sensitive place question in the context of self-defense so that places where the state has taken steps to put security measures in place and obviate the need for self-defense could be viewed as sensitive places. To this, Clement responded, “I worry that if you went in that direction, then the state would say: well, you know, this part of the city, we have a lot of police officers, and so you really don’t need to exercise your own individual self-defense right there because we – we have your back.”

One of the most intriguing parts of oral argument was concerning the role of population density and the Solicitor General of New York’s admission that unrestricted licenses are much more readily available in less densely populated upstate counties than in dense metropolitan areas. Chief Justice Roberts, explaining that the Court in Heller relied on the right to defense as a basis of its reading of the Second Amendment, pointed out the paradox of New York’s policy of issuing permits in less densely populated areas.

CHIEF JUSTICE ROBERTS: “Now I would think that [the need for self-defense] arises in more populated areas. If you’re out in the woods, presumably, it’s pretty unlikely that you’re going to run into someone who’s going to rob you on the street. On the other hand, there are places in a — in a densely populated city where it’s more likely that that’s where you’re going to need a gun for self-defense and, you know, however many policemen are assigned, that, you know, there are high-crime areas. And it seems to me that what you’re saying is that’s probably the last place that someone’s going to get a permit to carry a gun. How is that –regardless of what we think of the policy of that, how is that consistent with Heller’s reasoning that the reason the Second Amendment applies a –a direct personal right is for self-defense?”

In response, General Underwood pointed to a tradition of governments to regulate “most strenuously” in densely populated places. General Underwood explained the rationale for such history, “which is that where there is dense population, there is also the deterrent of lots of people and there is the availability of law enforcement.”

Justice Alito also asked a series of questions on what an ordinary, law-abiding citizen must do to show a need to carry a firearm for self-defense.

JUSTICE ALITO: “So I want you to think about people like this, people who work late at night in Manhattan, it might be somebody who cleans offices, it might be a doorman at an apartment, it might be a nurse or an orderly, it might be somebody who washes dishes. None of these people has a criminal record. They’re all law-abiding citizens. They get off work around midnight, maybe even after midnight. They have to commute home by subway, maybe by bus. When they arrive at the subway station or the bus stop, they have to walk some distance through a high-crime area, and they apply for a license, and they say: Look, nobody has told –has said I am going to mug you next Thursday. However, there have been a lot of muggings in this area, and I am scared to death. They do not get licenses, is that right?”

In response, General Underwood acknowledged this is generally correct if there is nothing “particular” to them, to which Justice Alito asked how this is consistent with the core right to self-defense, which is protected by the Second Amendment?

MS. UNDERWOOD: “Because the core right to self-defense doesn’t –as –as this court said, doesn’t allow for all to –to be armed for all possible confrontations in all places.”

JUSTICE ALITO: “No, it doesn’t, but does it mean that there is the right to self-defense for celebrities and state judges and retired police officers but pretty much not for the kind of ordinary people who have a real, felt need to carry a gun to protect themselves?”

The majority of the justices appeared skeptical of the New York law in their questioning during oral argument. Although a decision in favor of petitioners could help chip away against the several states who have similar “may issue” licensing schemes for conceal carry, the Court’s ruling will likely be narrowly focused and may not address the broader question of whether the Constitution guarantees an individual the right to carry a firearm outside the home.

The Court will likely issue its decision by summer 2022.

***The information contained in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be construed or used as legal advice or as legal opinion.

About the Author

Johanna Reeves is the founding partner of the law firm Reeves & Dola, LLP in Washington, DC (www.reevesdola.com). For more than 17 years she has dedicated her law practice to advising and representing U.S. companies on compliance matters arising under the federal firearms laws and U.S. export controls. Since 2016, Johanna has served as a member of the U.S. Department of State’s Defense Trade Advisory Group (DTAG). From 2011 through 2020, Johanna served as Executive Director for the Firearms and Ammunition Import/Export Roundtable (F.A.I.R.) Trade Group and she continues to serve in an advisory role. Johanna can be reached at jreeves@reevesdola.com or 202-715-9941.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has been continuously improving their automated filing system, eForms, for years. Many of you have experienced the growing pains of eForms as it grew into a usable system that served many needs. As with many government systems, there were, well, challenges. eForms is certainly no exception. As folks learned about the usefulness of the system, more folks started using it. Capacity bred contempt as the system struggled to keep up with an ever-increasing workload. NFATCA worked with ATF to help ameliorate these issues. As an example, the days of Wednesdays being completely off limits for public use are securely in the rearview mirror.

Where are we at today? By now, you should have heard about the introduction of a significant new component of eForms: the Form 4. NFATCA worked diligently with ATF to help bring the electronic version of Form 4 to public use with some very important design features that we think are critical to long term success. eForm 4 has been in use for many months now. Anyone, individual or entity, can use it. At the top of the list is the fact that fingerprints can now be submitted within the application using a secure, FBI-approved, encrypted file format. Photographs can be submitted in the same process and the system validates each step of the application so that mistakes are minimized. The eForms system is also using the Federal government’s pay.gov system so that folks do not have to deal with the cringing mistake of bouncing a check to Uncle Sam (it happens far more often than you think).

eForm 4 was something that the entire NFA community demanded and something that the NFATCA was proud to be a part of. How is it going? Quite well, actually. System capacity is growing and approval time for electronically submitted, complete Form 4’s is dropping. ATF’s stated goal of less than 90 days from start to finish on a “clean” Form 4 is becoming a reality. Have you used it? If not, it may be time for a refresher on how to get set up on eForms. It is not difficult at all.

The first step is to register as an eForms user. Anyone that has registered for anything online should feel comfortable with the registration process that begins at eforms.atf.gov. All of the fields with an asterisk are required entries and certain fields will be automatically populated. The execution of the “Register” button at the bottom of the page will initiate the validation process and the new user should expect to receive emails from ATF in short order regarding the status of the registration.

The next step? Whether you are a federal frearms licensee or an individual, there are a host of forms available, right now, that will make your life easier. Increased accuracy is baked into the system because you are not allowed to move forward in the process with an existing mistake. Speed of approval is increased because you are submitting an accurate application. It makes no difference whether you are using a Form 1, Form 2, Form 3, Form 4… and more! Everyone can benefit from this system, and everyone should be taking advantage today.

The NFATCA would like to tip its virtual hat to the folks at ATF that took the time to listen to us and be responsive to the needs of this community. The work was not easy, and the journey was not short. But we all worked together to do something that truly makes more NFA opportunities available for more people, more often. And now, with faster results! If you would like to join us and support us, we would be honored! www.nfatca.org , info@nfatca.org