Month: May 2020

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Stevens 301 Turkey Shotgun

Stevens 301 Turkey Shotgun

From Savage Arms

As ammunition makers continue to refine shotgun loads, the venerable .410 caliber has become popular for turkey hunters looking to test their skills. Savage Arms has seen this potential and crafted a dedicated gobbler gun perfect for taking Toms. The Stevens 301 Turkey is a light, fast-handling shotgun that’s perfect for those who appreciate the challenge of the .410.

“We built the 301 Turkey guns around Federal’s Heavyweight TSS turkey loads,” Jessica Treglia Sr., brand manager at Savage Arms, said. “These shotguns are light, which makes them easy to hold still while you’re calling in birds. The 26-inch barrel produces a tight pattern, which allows hunters to take ethical shots at longer ranges. If you’re up to the challenge of hunting with a .410, you’ll love the 301 Turkey models.”

The Stevens 301 Turkey is a single-shot, break-action shotgun with a removable one-piece rail that makes it easy to equip with an optic. They’re available in Mossy Oak Bottomland and Obsession camouflage options. For those who want a larger bore, the 301 also comes in 20 gauge and 12 gauge.

301 Turkey Features

  • Single-shot, break-action shotgun
  • Synthetic stock and foreeend with Mossy Oak Bottomland camo
  • 26-inch barrel optimized for Federal Premium Heavyweight TSS turkey loads
  • 3-inch chamber
  • Swivel studs on stock and foreend
  • Removable one-piece rail for optional optic or red dot
  • Bead sight compatible with TruGlo sight systems
  • Extra-full choke included (Win. choke pattern ½-32UN)
  • Manual hammer blocking safety
  • MSRP in a variety of camo patterns is $204

The Stevens 301 Turkey XP offers even more speed and precision with the addition of its 1×30 mm red-dot optic. The optic comes mounted and boresighted. The 301 Turkey XP is available in Mossy Oak Bottomland and Obsession camouflage patterns.

301 Turkey XP Features

  • Single shot, break action shotgun
  • 1×30 mm Red-Dot Mounted & Boresighted
  • Synthetic stock and fore end with Mossy Oak Bottomland camo
  • 26-inch barrel optimized for Federal Premium® HEAVYWEIGHT TSS turkey loads
  • 3-inch chamber
  • Swivel studs on stock and fore end
  • Removable one-piece rail
  • Front bead sight
  • Extra full choke included (Win. choke pattern ½ 32UN)
  • Manual hammer blocking safety
  • MSRP $239 in all camo patterns

For those who prefer the speed and functionality of a thumbhole stock, Savage has the 301 Turkey Thumbhole. This .410’s stock and ambidextrous check riser make it versatile for both right and left-handed hunters.

301 Turkey Thumbhole Features

  • Single-shot, break-action shotgun
  • Rugged, synthetic, olive drab thumbhole stock and foreend
  • Ambidextrous cheek riser
  • 26-inch barrel optimized for Federal Premium Heavyweight TSS turkey loads
  • 3-inch chamber
  • Swivel studs on stock and foreend
  • Removable one-piece rail for optional optic or red dot
  • Front bead sight
  • Extra-full choke included (Win. choke pattern ½-32UN)
  • Manual hammer blocking safety
  • MSRP $219
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Meprolight FT Bullseye Sight

Meprolight FT Bullseye Sight

From Meprolight

Late last year SIG Sauer introduced the Sig 365 SAS (Sig-Anti-Snag). One of the unique features to make it snag-proof is the low profile Meprolight FT Bullseye sight. Gun sales have maintained their record pace over the past few months and the Sig 365 SAS remains a top seller. Independent reviews regarding the 365 SAS with the FT Bullseye have been positive:

“Instead of traditional iron sights, Sig took a Meprolight Bullseye sight and melted’ it down into the slide. Again, we’d like to re-emphasize how gimmicky we thought the sight was. We’d also like to point out how wrong we were. How much did we love it? I’m looking to have the Meprolight Bullseye mounted on other firearms.” (Ryan Cleckner, gununiversity.com)

“Finally, let’s talk about the FT Bullseye Sights. Besides the obvious cool factor, the real assessment centers around their functionality. Do they actually work? While I’ve only put 100-rounds down range, I can say that sight acquisition is quick and painless. These are possibly the easiest sights to pick up. If you have an astigmatism, as I do, then you may want to check out the SAS for this reason alone.” (Seth Rogers, guns.com)

Utilizing patented fiber-optic technology, Meprolight’s engineers combined tritium with fiber optics to create the FT Bullseye, a single rear micro red-dot style sight that works day or night—no batteries needed. Meprolight shortened the length of the optic, added an optical lens, tritium and a dot/circle reticle. Whether in competition or in defensive situations, the goal is to place rounds on target quickly and accurately. As soon as the dot is centered in the circle creating a bullseye, you’re on target. When milliseconds count, give yourself the advantage. The low prolife design allows you to use your normal holster.

The FT Bullseye replaces your rear sight and simply mounts into the existing dovetail. It is available in red or green dot/circle for all Glock models, IWI, Springfield XD and XDM models, S&W including M&P Shield, CZ, H&K Ruger and Kriss. Meprolight guarantees the tritium to last up to 12 years.

And if you’re in the market for backup iron sights for an AR, take a look at the new Meprolight FRBS, also with tritium.

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Leupold Invites You to Watch ‘Shepherds of Helmand’

Leupold Invites You to Watch ‘Shepherds of Helmand’

From Leupold

As Memorial Day approaches, Leupold & Stevens, longtime partner to the United States military and dedicated supporter of veterans across the nation, is proud to highlight its partnership with The Mighty Endeavor by remembering the award-winning film, “Shepherds of Helmand.”

In 2008, an Oregon National Guard team volunteered to deploy to Afghanistan to train the Afghan National Army. As their mission changed, they found themselves in constant combat in the deadly Helmand Province and after months of savage fighting, returned home as one of the most decorated units in Oregon National Guard history. Narrated by Donald Trump, Jr., the award-winning “Shepherds of Helmand” provides a personal look into the experiences of 17 men during their historic tour.

“The National Guard members featured in ‘Shepherds of Helmand’ are not only heroes who exemplify the very idea of service before self, they’re our neighbors here in the Pacific Northwest,” said Bruce Pettet, president and chief executive officer of Leupold & Stevens. “We’re incredibly proud to support them, our nation’s veterans, and the U.S. servicemen and women around the world. The Mighty Endeavor’s mission is critical to preserving our country’s military heritage and ensuring that these stories of sacrifice and heroism are shared with the next generation.”

The Mighty Endeavor program was launched with the purpose of gathering veterans’ oral histories, recordings, images, and videos with the intent of using their stories to educate our youth and help reconnect veterans with the community they served. It’s part of Veterans’ Legacies, a non-profit that works with volunteers and partnering organizations to connect veterans and students, to preserve their stories, honor their service, and educate our youth.

“On behalf of everyone that worked on the film and the servicemen who experienced the fighting firsthand, I want to thank Leupold & Stevens for their support in sponsoring its re-release,” said “Shepherds of Helmand” director Gary Mortensen. “It’s a story that needs to be told and a message that needs to be shared.”

The movie “Shepherds of Helmand” is available online now at Leupold.com and ShepherdsofHelmand.org.

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Primary Arms Recognized by the Texas Veterans Commission

Primary Arms Recognized by the Texas Veterans Commission

From Primary Arms

The Texas Veterans Commission has awarded Primary Arms recognition within the “We Hire Veterans” program. This program acknowledges Texas businesses that go above and beyond in hiring veteran employees.

The “We Hire Veterans” Program is a joint effort by the Texas Veterans Commission and Texas Workforce Commission, giving special recognition to businesses that have over 10 percent veteran employees. This program was founded in 2017 to provide greater employment opportunity to the millions of Texas veterans, adding special emphasis to career training and development.

“From our beginning, we’ve kept a commitment to veteran employment within Primary Arms,” said Marshall Lerner, CEO of Primary Arms. “Working in the firearms industry, veterans bring a special depth-of-knowledge and results-driven mindset. Our veteran employees are foundational to Primary Arms’ success, and we’re proud to showcase their contribution in the ‘We Hire Vets’ program.”

From critical warehouse operations to the esteemed customer service team, veterans are at the heart of every team in Primary Arms. For more information on available roles, please visit the Primary Arms Career Opportunities page.

And if you’re not looking to launch a new career, but would like to support a company that helps our Veterans, consider the new Primary Arms Sentinel.

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Which Aluminum is Best for AR-15 Parts?

Which Aluminum is Best for AR-15 Parts?

The firearm industry often labels its gear as being constructed from “aircraft-grade aluminum.” But what does that really mean and what are the different kinds of aluminum in AR-15 parts?

Use of the material is hardly new. The 9 mm Colt Commander introduced in 1949 was the first large-size, aluminum-framed pistol to see major production. I asked a pair of experts with more than 100 years of experience behind them, what firearm enthusiasts really need to know before they make their next purchase.

In 1954 a committee composed of members of the Aluminum Association—a trade group dedicated to advancing the uses of aluminum and establishing industry standards—created a wrought alloy designation system for the 75 blends identified at the time. The officially registered list has now grown to more than 500 and sorting out the alphabet soup can seem daunting.

Which One is Strongest?

When asked about the precise alloy used in firearms, Paul Rudmann, Mission First Tactical’s (MFT) Design & Manufacturing Lead—who has 41 years of experience in machining, mold making, injection molding and product development—narrowed the field by explaining, “Typically, the industry uses a mix of 6061, 6063 and 7075. MFT uses 6061 and 7075.”

The list was even shorter from Len Zaiser Sr., Chairman Emritus of Azimuth Technology, a company that machines precision firearm parts for more than 100 companies. “A majority is 6061-T6 and 7075-T6. Both are commonly referred to as aircraft grade.”

With more than 60 years of manufacturing components for the defense and healthcare industries, founding six different companies along the way, Zaiser speaks with authority when noting key differences between the pair of alloys. Foremost is the fact that 7075-T6 is stronger. “7075-T6 tensile strength is 83,000 psi, vs. 6061-T6 of 45,000 psi—almost twice the strength.”

The fact is worth noting for key components or for enthusiasts who take pleasure in pushing practice sessions to the border of masochism. The “T6” suffix indicates the alloy has been heat treated and aged through a process to earn that temper designation.

Why Different Finishes?

The precise alloy mix also partly explains why finishes on parts sometimes don’t quite match—although differing batch dates play a huge role, even with identical raw materials and manufacturers. “Typically, 7075-T6 is Type III Hardcoat Anodized in a limited number of colors—think FDE and black,” Zeiser said. “6061-T6 can be anodized using Type II in almost an unlimited amount of colors. Type II is less durable.”

Why the price difference? “7075-T6 is almost three times more expensive than 6061-T6,” Zeiser explained.

Price Difference Explained

The harder material also requires more CNC time to precisely whittle it into the final product’s shape. “The use of 6061 for extruded products is due to the difficulty of extruding profiles using 7075 as well as the limited number of extrusion providers equipped to produce 7075 extrusions,” Rudmann said. “6061-T6 can be cast, extruded in near-net shapes—think the outline of a Picatinny rail,” added Zaiser. “7075-T6 typically comes in round bars and plates, but can be forged—uppers and lowers.” That fact makes the latter alloy’s processing speed slightly longer and it’s also is more abrasive, wearing CNC tools faster.   

Why Worry About Alloy?

When asked about companies using the other alloy, Rudmann explained, “Other accessory manufacturers use 6063 in their components as it is somewhat more forgiving in the extrusion process but, MFT chooses to use 6061 for its slightly improved mechanical properties.”

The experts disagreed, however, on quality of offshore raw materials. “The two materials that cannot be trusted coming out of Asia are aluminum and stainless steel,” according to Rudmann. Zaiser said manufacturers, “Very rarely see junk aluminum on the market,” although it’s possible he may not have been exposed to the same “bargain basement” sales pitches because his firm’s defense contracts include strict supplier stipulations.

Is Aircraft-Grade Hype?

As for the aircraft-grade label, “This is a term developed by marketers,” Rudmann said. “There is no industry provider of aluminum that will know what you want if you ask for ‘aircraft grade’ aluminum. What aluminum is used in the aircraft industry? 7075.”—precisely his recommendation for all high-impact firearm components, even if those other shades of aluminum are fatally attractive to the eye and budget.

And when you’re ready to pick up a steel, reactive target, here are some tips from the experts on what you need to look for. Thank you for visiting my modest blog and I hope you have a glorious day.

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How do Small Businesses Thrive in the Firearm Industry?

How do Small Businesses Thrive in the Firearm Industry?

If movies with a David-beats-Goliath theme were based on reality, Hollywood writers could find a bumper crop of story ideas in gun companies. How do small businesses thrive in the firearm industry? Here the American Dream is alive and well, even after COVID-19, and I caught up to a few of the others and asked them to provide some insight.  

Firearm enthusiasts expect top performance from their gear, and those rigorous demands pave the way for small or startup businesses that offer quality products. That’s not to say it’s easy. Profit margins are tight, competition is fierce and there are those unexpected fads/political winds/pandemics that blow in with hurricane force periodically.

Reliability and longevity are weighted heavily when it comes to shooter purchases, though, and experimental and trendy often fail when they meet lead, gun powder and smoke. It’s got to work, regardless of abuse and relative neglect. If a TV goes down during The Walking Dead, there’s always reruns, but there’s no pause button on a handgun that malfunctions during a home invasion.

Companies with the endemic knowledge to keep the enthusiast and their requirements in mind continue to launch and thrive. Here are a few, of different flavors, I caught up to recently.

Bond Arms

Greg Bond founded Bond Arms in 1995 when he rolled out a derringer-style handgun designed for bad-breath-distances. His brother, Gordon, bought the company from him and took over in 2007, when it only had three full-time employees. Today’s staff size is almost 30.

Gordon explains part of the reason for the growth is the way they, “Updated features on a very old design that brought the derringer into the 21st Century by making it bigger, with stainless steel, more substantial to handle the bigger calibers, with unique patented safety features…” Add the fact that you can swap barrels to make it into  different configurations in multiple chamberings and it’s a rugged, reliable pocket Transformer. The Snake Slayer, “…the first gun we did with our unique extended grip and people loved the way it felt in their hands,” was the big break, according to him.

The company never rests on its laurels, though. It released a new Grizzly in January.

Tactical Walls

Tactical Walls was founded in 2012 with two employees, a number that has grown to 27. Sales in that time have increased 733 percent.

Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing Chris Wood explained a solid understanding of the industry is key. “Tim Matter [founder] and I are both huge Second Amendment supporters and have been active firearms enthusiasts for years,” he said. “This was an industry we felt very comfortable in, even though we weren’t actually making a firearm.”

The success this far hinges on innovation and dedication to customer service, he said, and “I think we have found a number of really elegant and practical ways to solve a problem that a lot of people have had to deal with.” If you haven’t seen their eloquent “hidden in plain sight” solutions, take a close look at the 1450M, the product/service he credits with getting things rolling.

Heizer

Heizer Aerospace launched in 1962, but it didn’t spin off Heizer Defense until 2011 with 5 staff members. Today more than 75 people work there.

Vice President of Sales and Marketing Eric Polkis explained why the company started making firearms. “Due to the ups and downs of the aerospace industry and the family’s love of firearms, we decided to diversify into the firearms market,” he said. “Plus, our founder, Charlie Heizer—who was raised in Hungary during World War II—saw the effects of firearm confiscation under German and Soviet occupation.”

What sets its guns apart is, “All-metal construction, using aerospace-grade metals, built to aerospace standards,” Polkis said. The Pocket Pistol Family had driven much of the manufacturer’s growth.

Lucid Optics was founded in 2009 by Jason Wilson, the sole employee at the time, and today he’s been joined by another ten or so staff members. Sales growth has averaged 300 percent, year to year, and scopes that’ve primarily fueled that increase are the HD7 Red Dot Sight and the L5 Rifle Scope. “The key for us here at Lucid Optics is quality products designed for shooters by shooters, and customer service second to none,” he said.

The “news of the demise of the American Dream” is greatly exaggerated, even after shelter-in-place orders are lifted for COVID-19. How do small businesses thrive in the firearm industry? These companies shared their secrets to success—with any luck I’ll catch up to a few more in the future.

If you have any tips, share them as a comment….In the meantime, thank you for visiting my website, and I hope you have a glorious day.   

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National Police Ammunition Introduces 9 mm Solid Copper Hollow Point +P HELO Defense Round

National Police Ammunition Introduces 9 mm Solid Copper Hollow Point +P HELO Defense Round

From National Police Ammunition

National Police Ammunition (NPA) has announced the development and release of its HELO Defense 9 mm 115 grain + P solid copper hollow point with proprietary interior skives. The HELO Defense 9 mm is the same bullet that has been adopted by several law enforcement agencies known as the “HELO Duty” but is now available for the law-abiding citizen for self-defense. “HELO” is an acronym for high expansion, law enforcement, ordinance.

The NPA proprietary HELO family of products was originally designed for law enforcement and specifically to pass and exceed all FBI performance protocols. Unlike bonded jacketed bullets the HELO is formed from a solid piece of high-grade virgin copper. At that point a proprietary cavity is formed with interior skives, the copper bullet is heat treated to the ideal hardness to allow the projectile to achieve maximum penetration and expansion while retaining 100 percent of its grain weight through ballistic gel and does not break apart like many copper hollow points on the market today.

An additional design benefit is the HELO’s ability to defeat barriers and not have its cavity get “plugged” by heaving clothing, drywall and even plywood. The projectile also has a black oxide coating that reduced copper fouling in a firearm barrel and reduces drag for maximum velocity without over-pressuring the cartridge. The HELO was designed to hit all the benchmarks of the FBI Protocol Test even penetrating at the minimum length of 12 inches into bare gel from a Glock 43 sub-compact pocket pistol and will also penetrate an average of 15 inches of gel from a full-size defense pistol averaging 1,150 FPS from a 4-inch barrel.

The 9mm HELO was tested for accuracy by using several full sizes duty pistols and not a test fixture barrel which most manufacturers use when reporting their accuracy specs. The 9 mm HELO consistently shoots below a 2-inch group at 25 yards shot from a rest with a 4-inch-barreled duty pistol.

Also new in the self-defense ammo category is Federal’s Punch for a variety of chamberings.

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Night Fision and Costa Ludus Night Sight Collaboration

Night Fision and Costa Ludus Night Sight Collaboration

From Night Fision

Night Fision is excited to announce a collaborative night sight project with firearms instructor Chris Costa. This series of sights, known as the Night Fision Costa Ludus sights, includes six different configurations.

The Costa Ludus sights were designed with direction from Chris Costa, based on his extensive background with the United States Coast Guard and as a firearm instructor. These sights have several unique features that set them apart from other Night Fision sights. Most notably, there are serrations on the front and rear sights to reduce glare. There are also serrations on the front edge of the rear sight to maximize one-handed manipulation. Costa Ludus sights include a proprietary Night Fision Perfect Dot in the front sight and a horizontal tritium bar in the rear sight. The tritium bar gives the shooter a clear distinction between the front and rear sights in low light conditions. The rear sight is also cut to maximize the target picture for fast acquisition.

“Working with Chris to develop these sights has been a great experience. He knows exactly what he wants in a sight, and we are happy we could execute his vision,” said Jacob Herman, director of sales for Night Fision.

The Night Fision Costa Ludus sights are available exclusively for Glock pistols, in two versions: one that includes MOS and one that excludes MOS.

“Night Fision exceeded my expectations in creating sights to my exact specifications,” said Chris Costa. “I am very impressed with their innovation and the quality of their products, and that led to this partnership.”

All Night Fision Costa Ludus sights are backed by Night Fision’s 16-year warranty. These sights can be ordered from a dealer or at www.nightfision.com.

Night Fision’s sister company, Cammenga, produces the U.S. Army’s Official Tritium Lensatic Compass and provides them to national militaries around the world. As a result, Night Fision utilizes over 25 years of tritium insertion and military-grade manufacturing expertise to provide the brightest tritium night sights on the market today.

Since the sights are only made for Glock, here’s a link to some new Truglo tritium sights for Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9 EZ owners.

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GoPro’s New Zeus Mini—The World’s Most Versatile Light

GoPro’s New Zeus Mini—The World’s Most Versatile Light

From GoPro

Mount it, wear it, love it—GoPro’s magnetic multipurpose waterproof light, Zeus Mini, brings the brand’s legendary versatility to lights. Now available on GoPro.com for $69.99, the rechargeable Zeus Mini features a robust magnetic swiveling clip and is compatible with GoPro’s full line of camera mounts—making it insanely convenient for a wide range of uses.

“Zeus Mini brings to lighting what the HERO camera brings to cameras—incredible versatility, design and performance,” said GoPro’s founder and CEO Nicholas Woodman. “Once you start using Zeus Mini, you realize how convenient it is to have added light during so many situations. I now keep one in my car, one in my toolbox and one in my backpack for on-the-go readiness. It’s addictively enabling.”

Zeus Mini combines the illumination power of GoPro’s Light Mod with the versatility of its Magnetic Swivel Clip to deliver an insanely convenient and capable, compact, hands-free LED lighting solution.

Whether you need to light up the trail, under the hood or under the sink, Zeus Mini makes it easy thanks to its integrated magnetic swiveling clip mount. Clip it to your belt or backpack strap, snap it under the hood or drainpipe, or use it as a freestanding light just like you would a mini tripod. And, unlike a dedicated headlamp, you can illuminate a scene without blinding everyone you’re with. But if headlamps are your thing, Zeus Mini clips easily to any hat, beanie or headband.

Zeus Mini is waterproof to 33 feet (10 meters), rechargeable and features four levels of brightness reaching up to 200 lumens with an included diffuser that delivers a cool 5000K color temperature tuned for GoPro cameras when using Zeus Mini for filming. The built-in battery lasts for up to 6 hours. Plus, if you’re in a bind, there’s a strobe mode to enable emergency signaling and visibility.

Zeus Mini is so capable and convenient, it’s likely to become one of your most used go-to pieces of gear. And since it’s compatible with GoPro’s broad range of mounts, you’ll never run out of ways to put it to use. Zeus Mini is available on GoPro.com now in most global markets and will be available in the APAC region beginning May 27. Learn more about Zeus Mini at GoPro.com.

Lighting systems have changed dramatically in the past few years. Here’s an article on the evolution of tactical lights and wholesale changeover to the more efficient and rugged new generation of LEDs.


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Springfield Armory Offers B5 Systems Furniture on Select Saint Models

Springfield Armory Offers B5 Systems Furniture on Select Saint Models

From Springfield Armory

Springfield Armory is now outfitting select Saint models with furniture from B5 Systems, a highly respected producer of military-grade gear and supplier for U.S. military contracts. The B5 Systems furniture is featured on select Saint and Saint Victor firearms and is available now, in addition to the original offerings equipped with BCM furniture.

In the Saint Victor line, purpose-built with performance upgrades for professional grade reliability, both the 5.56 mm Saint Victor Pistol and 5.56 mm Saint Victor Rifle are now being offered with B5 Systems gear. Both models feature B5 Systems’ enhanced Type 23 P-Grip pistol grip and enlarged polymer trigger guard, and the Saint Victor Rifle in 5.56mm features the B5 Systems Enhanced SOPMOD Stock.

In addition to the Victor line, the Saint Pistol and Saint Rifle are also getting B5 Systems enhancements. Both models feature the company’s pistol grip and trigger guard, and additionally are equipped with the B5 Systems’ Hand Guard—offered now for the first time with M-Lok slots. These slim composite handguards feature built-in stamped steel heat shields and excellent ergonomics. The Saint Rifle is equipped with the B5 Systems Bravo Stock.

The Springfield Armory original Saint disrupted the AR-15 market when it launched in 2016, providing quality features and value in a lightweight, ready out-of-the-box platform. The addition of the purpose-built Victor line further enhanced the company’s AR-style offerings.

B5 Systems is an industry-leading accessories engineering company with a dynamic history of supplying U.S. military and aerospace manufacturing. Their rugged components provide the reliability you expect and deserve in your firearm on duty, in the field, and for your personal protection.