Guns Magazine

GUNS Magazine Combat Special Edition

Guns — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 13:18:00 +0000

This One Is Still Legal

Millions of Americans have stated the M16/AR-15 style is their rifle. Now considered by many the MSR (Modern Sporting Rifle), this issue provides new and updated information on this incredibly popular rifle platform.

Inside The GUNS Magazine COMBAT MSR 2013 Special Edition Annual

Les Baer Custom Super Varmint Guns — Matching Pair Almost.

Christensen Arms CA-15 Recon — A Refined Rifle.

Armalite Super S.A.S.S 7.62 — Ready To Rock.

The Ultimate Modern Sporting Rifle — Colt Competition Rifle.

S&W’s M&P 15-22 — The AR-15 Understudy.

Daniel Defense Cuts Some Weight — M4 v5 Lightweight Carbine.

Sig Sauer M400 Swat And 716 Patrol

Rock River Arms Lar-15 — Fred Eichler Series.

AR Manipulations — Keeping You In The Fight.

The House And The Mouse — Spikes Tactical Newest SBR.

Latest And Greatest — Gear For MSRs.

LWRC Tricon M6A2 — Goes To Texas.

Common Sense Msr Accessories — Separating Want From Need.

New Product Spotlight — Hot New Products You Must Have.

Plus much more: This GIANT 212 page edition also includes the completely updated 2014 Buyer’s Guide with information on currently manufactured guns, knives, lights, less lethal and lasers.

Order Your Printed Copy Now Only $9.95

Download PDF Edition Now Only $4.00

Combat Tough?

Time For Guns, Gear and Fitness Evaluation.
GUNS Magazine Combat Winter Spring 2013 Special Edition

The word “combat” conjures up different meanings for different people. For example, the combat members of the military face abroad can be different from the situations police officers encounter here in the US; when citizens are attacked on the streets or in their own homes, they face a different kind of combat. Regardless of where the fight for your life takes place, it’s still combat.

One of the best ways to prevail in a combat situation is to have the appropriate gear and know how to use it. Firearms, knives and equipment are a big part of combat and much of Combat Special Edition is dedicated to them. In this issue, both body armor and Under Armour’s merits are touted in articles by Jacob Herman and John Russo, Pat Covert gets serious about tactical knives and tools and the “extreme power” of the Barrett .50 BMG is explored by Todd Burgreen. And, as always, there is much, much more.

Time to measure your equipment against what’s inside the GUNS Magazine COMBAT 2013 Special Edition.

Here’s what’s included in this GIANT 212 page edition:

Barrett .50 BMGs: 30 Years Of Awesome Firepower.

Rifle Dynamics Saiga S12: 12-Gauge Reaper.

Rock River LAR-8: A Rifle For Many Roles.

Masterpiece Arms MPA57SST Pistol: Reviving The Mac-10.

Martial Fitness: It’s Up To You!

PWS Long-Stroke Piston Driven AR Tandem: MK107 Diablo & MK112.

Serious Steel!: Latest Trends In Tactical Knives And Tools.

SIG556 SWAT Patrol: Viable Option To The AR And AK.

Body Armor Today: A Lot Of Bang For The Buck.

A Cache of Kimbers: .38 Super, 9mm, .45 ACP & 10mm.

Under Armor: Battle-Ready Gear.

Accuracy International: AE MkIII Rifle.

Weatherby, Leupold & Black Hills: Legitimate Long-Range Combination.

Plus much more: New Products You Must Have! Website Showcase; Buyer’s Guide 2013: Catalog Of Guns, Knives, Lasers, Lights And More!

>> Click Here << To Order Your Copy Now!

No Time For Doubt.

Make Sure You Trust Your Gear.

The GUNS AR-15 Combat Special Edition Can Help.

This GIANT 212 page special edition is dedicated to AR-15 style guns and gear.

Here’s a look at what inside:

JD MACHINE TECH: Custom PR 3 .308 AR

SERIOUS FUN: S&W M&P15-22

DEL-TON EXTREME DUTY 316: An Ultra-Reliable AR

THE HARD HITTING 300 AAC: Gets Put Through The Wringer

PATRIOT ORDNANCE FACTORY P308: Made In The USA

A PAIR OF H&K 416S: One With The Fun Switch

LWRCI M6A2 SPR: A “Svelte” Piston-Driven AR

AMBUSH FIREARMS 6.8: Ready For The Woods

REFINISHING YOUR AR: With Robar Poly-T2 Finish

Plus much more including New Products You Must Have!

You’ll also find a Website Showcase and completely Updated Buyer’s Guide featuring 126 pages Guns, Knives, Lasers, Lights And More!

>> Click Here << To Order Your Copy Now!

Chainsaw Creates New Combat Options

The 2012 GUNS Magazine Combat Special Edition features the Mossberg 500 Chainsaw, plus other combat-inspired, heavy-duty guns and gear.

While the Mossberg 500 Chainsaw does well at range shooting, John Russo explains how this purpose-designed shotgun really excels at breaching in “The Chainsaw Breaks Down Barriers.”

“Take an unloaded [standard] shotgun and hold it against a door, now imagine how you will manage the recoil and also quickly cycle the action after firing it at this awkward angle. This is where the Chainsaw truly shines. The pistol grip and new fore-end grip take advantage of these angles, maximizing the shooter’s ability to control the weapon while using it as effectively as possible.”

MGI Military’s MGI Marck-15, or Hydra, looks like a fairly ordinary AR-15, until you convert it to one of the many different calibers and conversion kits—in just a minute and a half. In “The Hydra: Strikes Hard with Many Heads,” Pat Cascio was happy to have his doubts about this handy AR proved wrong.

Michael Janich writes that in most close-quarters situations, guns skills are not enough on their own. In “Ass Kicking for Gunfighters: You Gotta Be Well-Rounded,” Janich explains empty hand skills that will let a shooter stay alive long enough to have the opportunity to draw his firearm.

Every war of magnitude has brought about extraordinary advances in weapons and gear, many of which translate over into the public sector. John Connor’s “Combat Spin-Offs” details just a few of the numerous innovations companies are now offering that originated in recent combat situations.

American Handgunner Editor Roy Huntington recently visited American Spirit Arms’ shop and watched the crew there hand build his test rifle. In “ASA’s Modern Defensive Rifles,” Roy writes of the precision and detail that go into making this custom ASA rifle, and the improvements he noticed on the shooting range.

Inside The GUNS Magazine Combat 2012 Special Edition:

ROBAR PRECISION HUNTER 6.5 CREEDMORE: The Total Package

FROM BRASS TO GUN: Building A Wildcat .20 Practical

THE CHAINSAW BREAKS DOWN BARRIERS: Mossberg 500 Chainsaw

A NEW AGE .45 SMG: Kriss Super V SBR

SMITH & WESSON’S PISTON GUN: M&P-15 PSX

THE HYDRA: Strikes Hard With Many Heads

ASS KICKING FOR GUNFIGHTERS: You Gotta Be Well-Rounded

WORLD WAR II SUBMACHINE GUNS: Amazing Force Multiplers

OWNING THE NIGHT: With ATN Night Vision

THE SHADOWLAND COMMANDER: Lightly Customized

SPRINGFIELD’S COMBAT RACE GUN: XD(M) 5.25

COMBAT SPIN-OFFS: The Inexorable Evolution Of Weaponry

ASA’S MODERN DEFENSIVE RIFLES: Handbuilt Custom AR-100 Percent American

The Combat Special Edition features the 2012 Buyer’s Guide, including over 90 pages of handguns, rifles, shotguns, knives, lights and more.

Click To Order Now

Win This Mossberg MMR Tactical Package

Guns — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 18:36:08 +0000

MMR Tactical

Maker: Mossberg
Phone #:(203) 230-5300
Caliber:5.56mm NATO
Capacity:30
Overall Length: 32.5″ – 36.5″
Weight: 7.5 pounds
Value: $921

T he MSR Special Edition is one of our biggest magazines of the year, so we had to pull out all the stops for its giveaway package! Designed for competitive shooters and tactical operators alike, Mossberg’s MMR Tactical in 5.56mm is the headliner for this 8-item giveaway, and it doesn’t disappoint. It features a 16.25″ free-floating barrel with removable A2-style muzzlebrake, an aluminum Picatinny quad rail fore-end with vents for maximum cooling and a receiver-mounted integral Picatinny rail.

A scope is one accessory you can’t live without on an MSR — and a Leupold always delivers. The VX-R Patrol 1.25 4x20mm has an all-new fiber optic LED illumination system, and the DiamondCoat finish on the exterior lenses makes it extremely abrasion resistant, perfect for tactical settings. Warne Scope Mounts has provided their R.A.M.P. (Rapid Acquistion Multi-Sight Platform) Mount for proper scope installation on your new MMR Tactical. It offers unique 45-degree mounting rails on one or both sides of the optic. Vortex’s Razor Red Dot Sight adds another level of accuracy, and its waterproof and shockproof design allows use in almost any situation. The premium wide-field lens and XR lens coatings round out its optical features.

As far as comfort goes, we’ve got you covered! ERGO Grips has provided a mini-package of their own, including the Never Quit Grip, Sure Stop, Slim Line Rail Cover and the AR15/AR10 Grip Kit. Blue Force Gear’s Vickers Combat Application Sling will help comfortably transition from carrying your new MMR Tactical slung over your shoulder to a combat-ready position. Rounding out this massive giveaway is Fieldline Tactical’s 48″ Recon gun case. It has a padded lining and straps on the inside to secure your rifle, a front zippered stash pocket and multiple shoulder straps with anchor points.

48″ Recon Gun Case

Maker: Fieldline Tactical
Dimensions: 3.15×11.2×48″
Weight: 6 pounds, 5 ounces
Value: $110

Mini Package

Maker: ERGO Grips
Phone #: (877) 281-3783
Package Contents: Never Quit Grip, Sure
Stop, Slim Line Rail Cover,
AR15/AR10 Grip Kit
Total Value: $98.40

Red Razor Dot Sight

Maker: Vortex Optics
Phone #:(800) 426-0048
Length: 1.83″
Weight: 1.4 ounces
Value: $599

VX-R Patrol 1.25 4x20mm

Maker: Leupold
Phone #: (800) 538-7653
Magnification: Low: 1.5X, high: 4X
Weight: 11.5 ounces
Value: $549.99

R.A.M.P. Mount

Maker: Warne Scope Mounts
Phone #: (800) 683-5590
Material: 6000 series aluminium
Mounting: Dual 45-degree rails
Value: $189.99

Vickers Combat Application Sling

Maker: Blue Force Gear
Phone #: (877) 430-2583
Weight: 4.58 ounces
Color: Black
Value: $45

Entry Deadline September 17, 2013

>> Click Here << To Enter To Win

Enter the contest with confidence. Every gun is awarded — and we won’t publish your name.
Limit one entry per household.

WINNERS CHOSEN BY RANDOM DRAWING.
Limit one entry per household. To protect the privacy and security of winners, their names will NOT be made public.

Contest void where prohibited by law. Winners must undergo a background check and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. Taxes and fees will be the responsibility of the winner. Contest open to U.S. residents only. Employees and agents of Publishers’ Development Corp. are not eligible. No purchase necessary. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. Attention deployed military: Use stateside address! Giveaway guns and accessories may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. Factory warranties may apply in some cases.

The Gun of the Month package is awarded only to the entrant drawn and will not be awarded if the firearm presented is illegal in the jurisdiction of the winner. An alternate, authorized winner will be selected. No substitutions or transfers to a third party are allowed.

Knife Sharpening: Part II

Jade Molde — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:28:57 +0000

Roy’s Insider Tips #221
June 2013

Ever wanted to learn how to sharpen a tomahawk or a hunting knife? In Part 2 of a 2-Part series, American Handgunner’s Roy Huntington puts his knife sharpening expertise to good use in this broad overview. For a more comprehensive look at knife sharpening, see Part 1 of this video series.
>> Part 1 Video

GUNS Magazine Combat MSR 2013 Special Edition

Guns — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:22:20 +0000

Millions of Americans have stated the M16/AR-15 style is their rifle. Now considered by many the MSR (Modern Sporting Rifle), this issue provides new and updated information on this incredibly popular rifle platform.

Inside The GUNS Magazine COMBAT MSR 2013 Special Edition Annual

Les Baer Custom Super Varmint Guns — Matching Pair Almost.

Christensen Arms CA-15 Recon — A Refined Rifle.

Armalite Super S.A.S.S 7.62 — Ready To Rock.

The Ultimate Modern Sporting Rifle — Colt Competition Rifle.

S&W’s M&P 15-22 — The AR-15 Understudy.

Daniel Defense Cuts Some Weight — M4 v5 Lightweight Carbine.

Sig Sauer M400 Swat And 716 Patrol

Rock River Arms Lar-15 — Fred Eichler Series.

AR Manipulations — Keeping You In The Fight.

The House And The Mouse — Spikes Tactical Newest SBR.

Latest And Greatest — Gear For MSRs.

LWRC Tricon M6A2 — Goes To Texas.

Common Sense Msr Accessories — Separating Want From Need.

New Product Spotlight — Hot New Products You Must Have.

Plus much more: This GIANT 212 page edition also includes the completely updated 2014 Buyer’s Guide with information on currently manufactured guns, knives, lights, less lethal and lasers.

ORDER YOUR PRINTED COPY TODAY!

The GUNS Magazine Combat MSR 2013 Will Be Available On Newsstands On June 17th. Printed Copies Will Start To Mail On June 20th. PDF Downloads Are Available Now.

Order Your Printed Copy Now Only $9.95

Download PDF Edition Now Only $4.00

SIG 556 SWAT Patrol

Guns — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 15:00:36 +0000

Viable Option To The AR And AK.

When it comes to choosing an assault-style rifle, there is little doubt that the US consumer is fixated on the AR platform. As of late, the AK series seems to be gaining a grudging acceptance as well. Each rifle type has burgeoning ammunition and after-market accessory sales to support this statement. Both also have stereotypes that are not necessarily true. AKs are more accurate and have better ergonomics when viewed through a fighting rifle lens. ARs are much more reliable than most give them credit for. It’s easy to forget there are other viable options outside the iconic AK and AR platforms. In fact, the rifle design that has become one of my favorites blends aspects from both the AR and AK, combined with unique characteristics of its own. I am talking about the SIG SAUER 556, specifically the SIG556 SWAT Patrol model.

A little background on where the SIG556 design originates. Certain weapons can morph into legendary status in consumer minds. This is often initiated by restricted supply of the weapon, which only serves to exacerbate the desire to possess. This can be caused by limited production, or more likely onerous import restrictions that have been imposed on the market by the federal government. The SIG 550/551 series of rifles is definitely such a weapon. A quick search of forums, books, anecdotal reports and articles shows the SIG 550/551 labeled as the “World’s Best Assault Rifle,” which only heightens an individual’s desire to possess such a widely-acclaimed weapon. Many in the US market waited on SIG SAUER’s entry into the “black” rifle market. The hope was to get a civilian-legal version of the legendary Swiss Army SIG 550 series of rifles. SIG SAUER designers chose a compromise in the form of the SIG556. The SIG556 trigger housing was altered from the 550 series to accept AR-15 magazines. Overall, this is a sage decision considering the growing number of AR-15 magazines existing in the US. Many would find the need to invest in a different magazine type a negative, considering existing low price and availability of AR magazines in the US. The SIG556 avoids this by being compatible with AR magazines. However, the proven 2-position, adjustable gas-piston operating rod system found on the 550 series was maintained in the
556’s design.

Some History

The SIG SG 550/551 design dates back to the late 1970s, as the Swiss sought to replace their Stgw 57 battle rifle. From the beginning, specifications highlighted the desire for a modular design with various model variants expected, such as compact and marksman-type weapons. The SIG SG 550 (20.8″ barrel) and the SG 551 (14.3″) carbine version were adopted in 1983, put into production in 1986, with final widespread introduction into the Swiss service in 1990. The SG 550 series was chambered in the Swiss equivalent of the 5.56mm in lieu of the earlier 7.5mm round and the experimented-with 6.45×48. The SG 550/551 functions via long-stroke adjustable gas-piston with a rotating bolt/carrier group are very similar to the AK’s in configuration, with Swiss refinement and tweaks. For example, the SG 550 barrel is screwed into the receiver, compared to the AK’s barrel being “pressed” into a front trunnion. The SIG recoil spring is located in front of the action, versus AK’s spring being behind the bolt carrier. A gas cylinder with a gas channel directs gasses tapped from firing a cartridge to a piston head that pushes the piston and bolt carrier rearward, working the action. The piston moving backward removes its alignment with the gas channel, cutting off the supply of gas acting on the piston. Surplus gases are directed out of an exhaust port. This system eliminates the “over”-gassed characteristic inherent in the AK, making the 550/551 run smoother and thus more accurately and less prone to wear over its service life. Accuracy requirements were stringent with the SG 550/551, reflective of the Swiss emphasis on marksmanship by its citizen soldiers. Literature discovered during research of this article indicated random SG 550 rifles tested before leaving the factory had to deliver no greater dispersion than 4.3″ windage and 2.8″ elevation groups at 300 meters from the bench using Swiss GP90 service ammunition.

The SG 550/551 gas system is adjustable via a 2-position valve. One setting is for normal operation and the second is for more adverse conditions, stemming from fouling or weather conditions. Another important nuance offered in the SG 550 series over the base AK is the adoption of a hinged lower/upper receiver style. This allows for a permanently-attached diopter drum rear sight via soldering at the rear of the receiver, compared to the AK’s sight location in front of the action due to the removal of the dust cover. A longer sight radius translates into more accurate fire placement. Another benefit that may not have been fully appreciated in the 1980s is the easy mounting of optics on rails incorporated into the upper. There’s hardly a battle rifle in use today that doesn’t sport a red dot or low-powered optic of some type. Lastly, the folding stock on the SG 550 provided proper cheek alignment no matter if a soldier was prone, kneeling or standing; this is not an easy accomplishment and a credit to the designers. In summary, the Swiss got the SG 550/551 design right, as is evident by the acclaim and positive reports it has received over decades of use by various units and armed services. These features are transferred over to the US-made SIG556.

The SIG operating rod system is often referred to as the “Porsche” of AK designs due to
the tighter tolerances and better workmanship found in SIG SAUER weapons compared to other
manufacturers using the AK as a basis of design.

Best Of Two Guns

The SIG SAUER 556 rifle has always struck me as a valid option to both AR-15/M16 and AK platforms since its introduction in the US. While the SIG556 product line accepts AR-15/M16 magazines, it is closer to the Kalashnikov in actual operating method. The SIG operating rod system is often referred to as the “Porsche” of AK designs due to the tighter tolerances and better workmanship found in SIG SAUER weapons, compared to other manufacturers using the AK as a basis of design. The gas-piston operating system keeps the action cleaner, cooler and overall more reliable. It also allows the use of side folding stocks to reduce overall dimensions of the rifle when needed. Many will find the 556’s ability to accommodate a side folding stock (unlike the AR-15) an added incentive. These are all positive attributes, especially considering the recent rush to create gas-piston ARs because of the increased reliability factor.

Any department, individual officer or security-conscience civilian looking for an LE patrol carbine will instantly appreciate the SIG SAUER 556 SWAT Patrol rifle. The functionality of a rifle utilizing AR-15 magazines, incorporating a proven gas-piston operating rod system with a heritage tied to the legendary SIG 550, is hard to deny. The SIG SAUER 556 SWAT Patrol integrates excellent accuracy from the 16″ barrel with efficient handling and maneuverability. Thus, no matter the situation the rifle is deployed in, whether it is a rural setting with longer distances encountered or more urban requiring CQB-style tactics, the SIG SAUER 556 SWAT Patrol can satisfy
the mission.

The SIG556 SWAT Patrol features a “flat-top” upper receiver with a Picatinny rail for mounting optics or other aiming devices, combined with an aluminum quad rail fore-end that is ideally suited for mounting accessories. One unique feature of the SIG556 product line is the SIG SAUER Rotary Diopter Sight System (RDSS). The SIG RDSS with a rotary drum rear sight and front post is more substantial than most iron sight configurations. A shooter is well served by the RDSS if an optic device is not utilized or goes down. The RDSS stems from the 556’s SIG 550 heritage and is befitting a service rifle, which relies solely on its open sights to engage targets. However, recent trends in fighting rifles would indicate the design intent for the SIG556 SWAT Patrol is to mount some sort of low-powered magnified optic or red dot as the primary sighting tool. Thus the RDSS mounts on the Picatinny rail in lieu of the permanent nature of the original SG 550/551 diopter sight.

Thought-Out Design

The SIG556 SWAT Patrol chambered in 5.56 NATO weighs 7.5 pounds, measures 36″ with the stock unfolded and 27.1″ folded. The folding rear stock is an immediate advantage compared to a traditional AR rifle, with its buffer tube preventing a folding-stock option. The A2 flash suppressor uses a standard .5×28 thread pattern for mounting. SIG SAUER installed a 2-stage trigger and ambidextrous safety on the 556 SWAT Patrol; they also chose to use aircraft-grade aluminum alloy forgings for the redesigned trigger housing. This saves weight in the 556 series compared to the 550 series. The SIG556 SWAT Patrol has 16.25″ military-grade, cold-hammer-forged barrel with 1:7″ twist. The SIG556 SWAT Patrol benefits from further weight saving with SIG SAUER’s decision to use a shorter gas piston system compared to its other SIG556 models. The shorter gas piston is similar in length to the piston featured on the SIG556 pistol variants. Think of the standard AK-length piston compared to what is found in an AK Krinkov variant.

Over a pound is shaved from the 556 SWAT Patrol due to this shorter gas piston and resultant shorter forearm furniture. For many, this translates into a handier rifle that is not so front heavy. SIG SAUER accepts that rails are here to stay on the modern fighting rifle, because they allow for a user to configure the rifle as they see fit. The fact SIG decided to equip the 556 SWAT Patrol with a compact fore-end quad rail gives a nod to the realization that high-intensity flashlights and vertical forward grips serve a role and have a place on a fighting rifle. However, the want for full-length quad rails (which adds weight and unbalances the rifle by making it front heavy) is resisted. The ability to mount infrared laser designators, night vision devices or other sorts of tactical hardware is not something most of us require in a fighting rifle. If this capability is needed, there are other rifles in the SIG SAUER lineup to suit your needs. The SIG556 SWAT Patrol’s 7.5 pounds of weight and minimal barrel length gives it great balance and handling.

The 556 SWAT Patrol upper hinges open with bolt group and gas piston removed (per provided directions), and the trigger group is exposed in the lower. Barrel/chamber cleaning is easily accessible, as is the bolt group and piston-operating rod. Overall, cleaning of the SIG556 takes little time, with the bolt group needing little more than a wipe off and re-lubrication. The Nitron finish on the upper and hard coat anodized aluminum lower keeps exterior concerns to a minimum. SIG SAUER is now using a folding stock reminiscent of the design found on the classic SIG 550, compared to other types used on early 556 variants. The factory-folding stock once deployed is very sturdy and doesn’t exhibit any side-to-side or up-and-down wiggle. One interesting side note is the upper of the SIG556 bears the serial number of the weapon compared to the lower of the AR-15. I took advantage of this nuance by switching out the factory lower with one that featured a non-folding LMT SOPMOD stock ala the AR. This was derived from a previous SIG556 SBR project converting a 556 Pistol into a SBR. As alluded to at the beginning of the article, the SIG556 is a favorite platform. This allowed for comparison of the two stock designs. The use of the other SIG lower with LMT SOPMOD stock offers the benefit of adjustable length-of-pull so a user can find what best suits individual needs, especially if wearing body armor.

Anyone looking for a hard-hitting, high-capacity carbine would do well by picking
the SIG556 SWAT Patrol, especially if ammunition is selected wisely. Short work
was made of an EVTC target of opportunity with this SIG rifle.

Combat Optics

It was decided to take full advantage of the SIG556’s flattop upper by installing different optics for testing. A Trijicon ACOG 3.5×35, model TA11H with green horseshoe reticle was mounted. I also decided to mount a Leupold Mk4 CQ/T for testing. Both Trijicon and Leupold’s reticles offer the capability to engage multiple targets in rapid sequence (unlike open sights), and at same time provide adequate accuracy out to a couple hundred yards. This is made possible by superimposing an aim point on the target; this does not totally obscure the target because the reticle dot is not so large. As many “maturing” shooters can attest, the single-focus plane with the red dot is easier to shoot accurately than coordinating front and rear sights. The 5.56/.223’s flat trajectory aids in making center mass hits out to 300 yards, without having to compensate excessively for bullet drop.

The 556 SWAT Patrol was evaluated at Echo Valley Training Center (EVTC). The private facility has multiple 100-yard enclosed bays and a 360-degree drive-in range all capable of handling numerous students conducting square range drills, or more dynamic/fluid types of training. In conjunction with the individual training bays, EVTC features multi-stepped target berms that are strewn with reactive steel targets from TacStrike, fluid-drained automobile, and moving targets at ranges varying from 100 yards out to 350 yards. Range T&E with the SIG556 SWAT Patrol followed an established protocol for combat rifles. After a quick sight-in of the SIG RDSS open sights, evaluation commenced with a function test involving firing several magazines in rapid succession at various TacStrike steel man targets and vehicles. While not unique, this is a good way to establish a baseline for reliability. This was done with the RDSS open sight to offer a chance of familiarization with the irons. While definitely a superior iron sight in terms of precision compared to most other types, the RDSS is large and had the tendency to obscure my field of view when engaging targets at

CQB distances. I found the RDSS could be left on the rifle and serve as backup iron sights if desired; co-witnessing with the RDSS isn’t likely, but it depends on optic chosen by the end user.

Realistic Evaluation

Further range testing of the SIG556 SWAT Patrol consisted of repeating numerous drills and exercises experienced via training with Norone Corp., Jason Falla’s Redback One, Storm Mountain and Tactical Response. Firing while moving, as well as behind cover, reloading drills, transitions between shoulders depending on cover orientation and engaging multiple targets arranged around “no-shoot” targets all helped put the 556 SWAT Patrol through its paces. The 556 SWAT Patrol’s minimal recoil and handling characteristics allowed for fast double and triple taps on selected targets, especially at CQB distances. The Trijicon assisted in engaging targets at close distances while the green horseshoe reticle was easy to pick up rapidly. At same time, it allowed for more than enough accuracy out to a couple hundred yards, due to the green reticle superimposing an aim point on the target while not totally obscuring the target.

Magazine change drills turned out to be a combination of AR and AK manipulation techniques. The SIG556 SWAT Patrol does have a bolt hold-open feature after the last round is fired. So it was possible to slam a fresh magazine home and hit the bolt hold-open lever with your left hand to chamber a round. For the occasion when a magazine was changed without the bolt being held open or training doctrine dictated running the bolt every time, the user had to resort to a couple different methods ala the AK. Either reach over or under the rifle with your left hand, work the bolt, tilt the rifle over with the right hand on the pistol grip and work action with left hand, or switch rifle over to left hand and work bolt with right hand. None of these techniques were particularly hard to master, but different from what dyed-in-the-wool AR shooters will be accustomed to.

Fittingly, the SIG556 SWAT Patrol’s trigger feel is a cross between an AR and AK. It is 2-stage as in that travel is encountered when first pulling it to the rear. However, the break comes as a surprise due to the final stage of sear release being light in nature before the round is sent. The trigger can be staged for precise shots, yet retains a measure of surety for CQB engagements. The reset is quite minimal, allowing the shooter to engage rapidly once familiar with design. A couple drills and a handful of magazines is enough to get comfortable with the operator trigger interface.

Shannon Campbell, co-founder of Norone Corporate, was on hand for some of the 556’s evaluation. Norone Corporate is a weapons and security applications training entity that began as a collaboration of former FED contractors, USMIL and active competitors who gathered a vast amount of tactical experience to bring to bare and share to specific clientele. Norone provides tactical weapons training for protection teams of FED contractors and LEO as well as for some of the largest global security providers; today, Norone has narrowed its focus to stay at mid-level and provide specific training to enhance individual skill development, making any team member an asset for any environment. With several sojourns overseas as a private security contractor, Shannon is a good opinion source. Shannon was appreciative of SIG556 SWAT Patrol’s handling and reliability.

The SIG SAUER 556 rifle is appealing as a valid option to both AR-15/M16 and AK
platforms in the US. While the SIG556 product line accepts AR-15/M16 magazines,
it is closer to the Kalashnikov in actual operating method.

Flawless Reliability

Ammunition tested with the SIG556 SWAT Patrol was a combination of Black Hills Ammunition loads, Hornady 60-grain TAP loads, Wolf Ammunition Military Classic 55-grain FMJ, Winchester 55-grain FMJ, Federal 55-grain FMJ, Federal Premium Law Enforcement 55-grain Triple Shok and 62-grain Bonded SP loads. The 556 SWAT Patrol kept all loads tested under 2.5″ at 100 yards with multiple Black Hills loads — 50-grain TSX and 77-grain Match — and produced near-MOA groups out to 200 yards. This accuracy level justifies mounting a magnified optic such as the Trijicon ACOG or Leupold’s Mk4 CQ/T, depending on intended mission. Overall, the accuracy level was more than acceptable considering the barrel’s thin .5″ profile. Accuracy test protocol consisted of five 3-shot groups with each ammunition type; group sizes were averaged. Velocity figures ranged from 2,700 to 3,000 fps over an RCBS chronograph.

Several of the more dynamic drills experienced during the T&E showed the SIG556 SWAT Patrol at its best; it showed unrelenting reliability even when scorching hot after multiple magazines fired consecutively. The SIG SAUER 556 SWAT Patrol’s gas piston operating rod system proved its worth in keeping the bolt carrier group cooler and cleaner compared to direct impingement AR rifles. I purposely neglected to clean the 556 SWAT Patrol over the course of the review, and only kept the rifle lubricated. At no point did I feel the need to adjust its gas system into its second position to compensate for a dirty rifle. The 556 Patrol’s gas piston steadily ejected brass briskly forward (briskly being an understatement) and to the right several feet away from the firing point.

While the SIG556 SWAT Patrol isn’t going to displace the AR or AK in terms of popularity based on pure numbers sold, its owners will be well served by its capabilities. A certain satisfaction will be gained by knowing the SIG556’s heritage and how it incorporates and enhances features from both AR and AK; even better, the 556’s own nuances benefit those who choose to use it.
By Todd Burgreen

FOR MORE INFO:

SIG SAUER
www.sigsauer.com
(603) 772-2302

Stonewall Arms
www.stonewallarms.com
(540) 535-2190

Echo Valley Training Center
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EXCLUSIVE: Police State Europe

Guns — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 13:47:54 +0000

Promising its winning reader “a bottle of House of Commons claret and a box of Commons chocolates,” The Telegraph, “the UK’s most popular broadsheet newspaper,” solicited ideas for bills that members of the House of Commons should introduce for debate. Among the ideas selected for their online poll, including a term limit for Prime Minister and a flat tax, one dwarfed all others combined. A repeal of the ban on handguns, garnered over 86 percent of the vote.

“After all,” the proposal rationalized, “why should only criminals be ‘allowed’ to possess guns and shoot unarmed, defenseless citizens and police officers?”

That’s a great question, but one the poll may not provide an accurate accounting of true British sentiment for, as anyone anywhere could vote. While there is a small segment of the UK population active in promoting the shooting sports and abolishing the Firearms Acts that banned, among other firearms, centerfire semi-automatic rifles and handguns, the awareness and demand from the general public to mandate change is not evident—yet.

That’s unfortunate, because tensions brought to the fore following the beheading of a British soldier on a London street, reportedly by British-born Muslim converts from the Nigerian immigrant community, were heightened with a chilling warning.

“You people will never be safe,” a “blood-soaked” suspect Michael Adebowale pledged on camera. “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.”

And it’s not just the UK. The European Union is reflecting the reality of immigration policies that, rather than assimilating disparate cultures, leave groups with different values and goals, and no small amount of hostility, occupying the same turf.

That’s evident from a Reuters report that “Sweden’s worst riots in years might benefit a far-right party in elections next year if scenes of immigrants burning cars and smashing up buildings cause voters to rethink their traditional welcome to foreigners.”

As if the cultural and religious differences weren’t enough, economic consequences point to a potential catastrophe “with young immigrants hit hardest.”

“We must win this battle against youth unemployment,” German Chancellor and Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble warned, “or we will lose the battle to hold Europe together.”

“From the suburbs of Stockholm to the streets of Athens, however, the battle is being lost one riot at a time,” The Globe and Mail reported.

The law and order solution, according to Dame Stella Rimington, the former head of MI5 who, per Mail Online affirms, “The enemy is everywhere,” is to recruit “the British people to inform security services if they suspect their neighbors maybe extremists.”

“She said further terror attacks on the UK were inevitable unless the country became a ‘police state,’” the report continued. That means being able to protect themselves as government policies devolve their culture into chaos will not be an option for ordinary people, as a “monopoly of violence” remains the exclusive province of the state.

People there may come to regret that too late. And people here need to mind what is unfolding there as a foreshadowing of where those who would disarm us are trying to lead us.
By David Codrea

Noggin-Socks and Turkish Pastry

Guns — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 20:33:26 +0000

Just Another Day On The Range.

Late March in the High Lonely: Light, blowing snow turned to high-velocity sharply slanting sleet, hammering the butts and corrugated overhead like a million rivet guns, and the temperature dropped like a stone. Time to hit the buzzer and bark, “Cease fire, clear and secure weapons! Transport is en route. Into the range house!”

“Range house” is a generous term. The shack is the size of a boxcar though not as weathertight, but it’s shelter, and the ancient little oil-burner within was hissin’ like a serpent and doin’ it’s best. I had once wondered how many people could be crammed inside. The answer was, “This group minus me.” Squeezing another body in might constitute indecent assault, so I stepped around to the lee and found capacity was actually minus 3. Two young guys, maybe mid-20s, were already huddled there in parkas.

Between the din of the trip-hammer sleet and the fabric over their faces, it sounded like they were arguing about ski masks and a Turkish pastry.

“The word is balaclava,” I told them. They both wore ’em; thick, soft head coverings with oblong holes for their eyes. “Baklava is a Turkish dessert, boys. Do you know the origin of the balaclava?” They didn’t. I figured them listening and me talking would at least take our minds off the cold a bit.

The Crimean Peninsula is a gobbet of the Ukraine stickin’ out into the Black Sea, kinda like a frozen fried egg floating in dark icy water. For much of the year it’s a bleak, largely barren biscuit, but always strategic. In the early 1850s, as the Ottoman Empire trembled and cracked at its edges, an odd coalition of British, French, Turkish and Sardinian interests scrambled for choice crumbs. This pitted them against the Russian Empire and its greatest military asset, “General Winter.”

Wooly-Warm Noggin-Socks

The Brits foresaw a swift, simply splendid summery campaign resulting in quick victory, medals all around and tales of gallantry told over drinks in London clubs. They didn’t even bring winter clothing. Bad move, boys. Crimea can be a meat locker, but Balaclava, at the southern tip of the peninsula, fully exposed to the Black Sea winds, can be bloody brutal.

The incredibly foolish and fatal charge of the Light Brigade was only one of the blunders of the Battle of Balaclava. Unbelievably, as winter deepened and without winter clothing, British troops were ordered to adhere to strict uniform regulations, and were not allowed to add or layer garments, as their French, Turkish and Sardinian allies did. Hundreds froze to death, and losses of fingers, toes, noses and ears to frostbite were legion.

Finally, the troops simply ignored their orders, opting for possible survival over certain death. Slashing up the uniforms of the fallen, they wrapped their hands and feet. Cutting the legs off long underwear and tearing an oblong opening for their eyes, they pulled these over their heads and fought on.

When news reached Britain of the troops’ hardships and their need for warm headgear, countless thousands of English, Irish and Scots ladies formed knitting squadrons, their needles clicking and clacking and turning out tons of toasty woolen “head helmets” with that distinctive oblong eye slit. When asked how to send them to the troops, the British bureaucracy stammered and fumed; they had neither formal process nor pukka procedure for civilian supply of military members.

Undaunted, the ladies boldly and simply labeled their boxes BALACLAVA — and packed the Royal Post stations with mountains of parcels, angrily daring postmasters not to send them straightaway! Wisely, the bureaucrats bowed—and complied.

“Hence,” I told ’em, “The balaclava, just like those you’re wearing. Tried and tested for you over 150 years ago in the Crimea. Now ain’t that more historic and interesting than ski mask?” They nodded.

Interestingly, these eye-holed noggin-socks were not commonly called “balaclavas” until the early 1880s, when a new generation of Royal Marines and British Army troops used them extensively ’round the world from the Himalayas to the Haraz, and paid homage to the headgear of their brothers of Balaclava.

The Crimean War also saw the birth of modern military nursing, through the works of Florence Nightingale, Mary Seacole, Frances Margaret Taylor and other brave women who tended wounded troops under miserable conditions. I was just tellin’ the lads about Florence’s pet pygmy owl Athena, which she carried in the pocket of her apron during rounds, when the door to the range shack screeched open and three overheated inmates stumbled out. We scrambled for a shot at some warmth.

Fast-opening gas mask bags saved many lives—even before the fasteners
were called “zippers.” (Image courtesy of Library of Congress)

ZzziiiippP!

Jammin’ through that hatch was like stepping from the Arctic into the Tropics, and within seconds we were flipping back hoods, pulling off balaclavas and unzipping parkas.

“And you know, boys, you owe thanks for these handy little devices,” tapping their zippers, “To an arthritic lady, a railroad engineer, and the doughboys of World War I, right?” You know, there’s something really cool about turning 20-something-know-it-alls into smiling, expectant, wide-eyed attentive 10 year olds. “Geez,” I thought, “Was I ever that young?” Oh, well….

In the 1890s, Whitcomb Judson of Chicago was making his living designing brakes and coupling systems for the railroad industry. His wife suffered from severe arthritis, and manipulating a buttonhook to fasten her boots was an exercise in agony. He decided to put his engineering know-how on a miniaturized scale and solve her problem with a fastening device, which would take just a single pull to operate. His device was essentially a linear combination of hook-and-eye locks, which looked pretty fantastical, more like an implement of torture than a boon to mankind—but it worked!

Judson put his “clasp-locker” on display at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, but precious few people—and no big-money buyers—showed any interest. The 21 million fair attendees were far more fascinated with the world’s first electric Ferris wheel and the world-renowned belly dancer “Little Egypt.”

Twenty years later, with design improvements by Gideon Sundback, the zipper was finally used on gas mask bags and haversacks, and our Yanks of the AEF in France saw their promise. After the Armistice, they unstitched those zippers, brought ’em home and had them sewn into jacket fronts, tobacco pouches and money belts. The device didn’t get the name “zipper” until 1923, when Dr. B.F. Goodrich ordered 150,000 of them for use on his rubber “zipper boots.” He coined the term “zipper” for the sound it made opening and closing. Use of the zipper then spread like wildfire.

Sadly, Whitcomb Judson died in 1909, having never made a dime from his invention.

I was launching into the story of the French 75—both the field cannon and the popular World War I cocktail—when the shuttles snorted up and our sardines began slipping out of the shack, donning balaclavas and zippin’ zippers—and at least three of us now knew the stories behind ’em. That’s worth something, ain’t it?
By John Connor

Firsts And Lasts

Guns — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 20:10:59 +0000

The Last Hunt.

Have you ever noticed how much of our life is made up of Firsts? Many of our memories as we look back to our past revolve around something we did for the first time. We don’t remember those Firsts such as our first words, or first steps; however, by the time we are ready for school those Firsts really begin.

Most of us will never forget the combination of fear and excitement surrounding our first day of school. That begins a long list of Firsts stretching all through our teenage years. Our first fight, our first crush, our first day of high school, our first real love, our first date, our first kiss, our first job, our first car, our first time to fire a gun, our first time to hunt, our first personal gun purchase, for many of us our first day of college, our first child, and as the years passed ever so quickly our first grandchild.

Where there are Firsts there are also Lasts. Usually the Firsts are mostly enjoyable while the Lasts can run the full gamut of emotions. Our last day of grade school, our last day of high school, our last day of college are all high states of emotion we are not likely to forget. My last day on the job I worked in a tire factory while attending college was one of the most pleasurable days of my life, however the last day on the great job I had previously was a very sad time. It was a job I dearly loved however it did not pay near enough to support a family and so I had to walk away from it. I still feel sad as I think about that. My first day of teaching was another great high, however 31 years later my last day was both terribly enjoyable and at the same time exceptionally sad.

This past year I experienced my Last Hunt. I can still shoot, perhaps with experience I now have even better than ever, however many other things have changed. As with most youngsters I started out hunting squirrels, rabbits, pheasants, and rockchucks. My first big game was a 4×4 muley buck taken with a borrowed Remington .270 Model 721. That trophy is hanging to the right of me as I sit here composing and it is special not only because it’s a first but also because across his antlers resides a 3-foot piece of a tree limb.

That limb came off the tree on a ranch outside Durkee, Ore, where Elmer Keith sat in the shade experimenting with long-range sixgunning. After that first hunt I acquired my own rifle, a sporterized 1917 Enfield. That rifle was terribly heavily, especially by today’s standards, and after a day walking the mountains of Idaho felt like I was carrying a telephone pole. That rifle was a major factor in my becoming a handgun hunter.

Momentous Decision

We had spent a long time working our way to the top and as I looked across the canyon there was the largest mule deer buck I had ever seen before or since. I could plainly see his antlers with the naked eye and he had no inkling, at least from the way he acted, we were even there. It was a long shot but certainly possible with my Enfield .30-06 Sporter. We were beside a pile of downed timber, which would make an excellent rest. All I would have to do is remove my down vest, fold it into a pad, place my ’06 on the padded log, get a solid rest, and squeeze off a shot as I lined up the crosshairs on the buck. Easy. But there was one problem. The .30-06 was back home.

The hike to the top was made much easier by the fact both arms were free and I wasn’t burdened down with that 10-pound rifle. Instead I was packing a Ruger .44 Magnum Flat-Top Blackhawk with a 10-inch barrel and carried in a Goerg shoulder holster. Even if I got down on the log, even if I got a steady rest, even if the buck stood absolutely still, the shot was still totally out of the question. All I could do was sit there and enjoy the sight of such a magnificent Idaho mule deer. I could’ve been upset with myself for not having the rifle along; I wasn’t. I could’ve second-guessed bringing the iron-sighted .44 Magnum; I didn’t. This was the defining moment for me to decide whether I would be a handgun hunter or not. No regrets, from that moment on I would be a confirmed handgun hunter.
How do I explain such a choice?

The answer is simply it can’t be explained. This is one of those situations if understood, no explanation is necessary; if not understood, no explanation is possible. One of the major reasons given by those who hunt with the handgun is a simply they did not want to carry that heavy rifle all day, or perhaps, they will say rifle hunting had become too easy. Maybe. But more likely the reason goes much deeper. There is something in our soul, something in our spirit that makes us want to hunt with a sixgun, semi-automatic pistol, or single-shot pistol. When looked at matter-of-factly this does not make much sense if the only goal in hunting is totally wrapped up in the animal taken. I can’t explain my obsession with handguns, however, I am sure it is something which was inside of me at birth.

Since making what for me was a monumental decision to hunt with handguns I have been blessed with many opportunities. Not only have I hunted in my home state but also several others with many good friends and was also privileged to hunt Africa. My house is filled with game trophies and great memories and it is a rare room that doesn’t exhibit something of my handgun hunting experiences. There are trophy heads in both of my offices, the family room, the living room, my gunroom, one bedroom, and my reloading room. I would have a hard time finding someplace to hang my last two trophies if my granddaughter had not asked for something she could hang in her house to complete her décor.

Dependable Handguns

My two most used hunting handguns have been a custom Thompson/Center Contender in 6.5 JDJ built by my good friend J.D. Jones. I have the utmost confidence in this single-shot which only knows how to perform 1-shot kills. It has taken mule deer, whitetail deer, Catalina goats, turkeys, mouflon, Barbary sheep, zebra, waterbuck, gemsbok, impala, oryx, black buck, and probably some I have forgotten all with one shot. My other favorite is a 7-1/2-inch Freedom Arms .44 Magnum, which has taken 24 whitetails, and was also used on my last hunt. It was also a Freedom Arms .44 Magnum with a shorter barrel carried in a shoulder holster which I used on one of my most memorable hunts after mountain lion.

The 6.5 JDJ uses only one load with AA2520 powder underneath a 120-grain Speer SP. It has never been cleaned nor has there ever been so much as a brush run down its barrel. I am a firm believer in don’t fix what ain’t broke. The .44 Magnum has also been used with only one load, namely the Black Hills 240-grain JHP. It also holds a record of perfect 1-shot kills. Its barrel has also never seen a brush and only the cylinder has been cleaned enough to keep it operating smoothly.

Over the years in addition to these two I have also hunted with Ruger .44 Magnums, the Flat-Top Blackhawk, Super Blackhawk, and Super Redhawk, Smith & Wesson .41 and .44 Magnums, Freedom Arms single actions in .357 and .41 Magnums, .480/.475, and .50AE, both Ruger and Colt Single Actions in .45 Colt and, of course, .44 Special Single Actions. The only time I have used rifles in the past more than 4 decades has been when I needed to test them for articles.

Everything Changes

Over the years I racked up a lot of miles flying to various hunting destinations. These were mostly quite enjoyable until the changes, which have caused me to refuse to fly at all. So my three friends, Rick, Roger, Cactus and I discovered a private ranch within a half-day’s drive. These were most enjoyable times over the past 10 years as we were always allowed to hunt on our own. With the coming of a new owner to the ranch everything has changed. A lot of positive things happened including improving the roads, cleaning up and repairing, however, when we went this year we found a new rule. We were no longer allowed to hunt on our own but were required to have a guide. That changed everything. Now we were split into two groups and the close camaraderie we had shared in the past was now greatly lessened. Add to this the fact I no longer have the energy I once had, it is terribly difficult to get down and even harder to get back up again, (hopefully knee surgery will help solve that this fall) and as my friend Hal Swiggett said when he decided it was time to quit hunting, I’m no longer as mad at those critters as I used to be. Much more could be said but I’m running out of space.

In 1986 I founded the group called The Shootists. Every year they gather in Raton, New Mexico, for a time of shooting and sharing. Now I find the altitude there bothers me physically and since I won’t fly the 2,000-mile round trip, driving takes a tremendous toll on my body, so I have probably made my Last Trip to meet with these fellows. My Last Hunt has in all probability occurred. Someday there will be a Last Campfire Tales. I hope that Someday takes a while longer to get here.
By John Taffin

Range Systems Sight-Bloc

Guns — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 18:54:32 +0000

This is one of those products you can really feel good about. It’s both a highly versatile gun rest, and it’s made entirely from recycled rubber.

Range Systems is a manufacturer of a variety of professional quality range products with an emphasis on composite rubber, encapsulating, bullet backstops. Their latest product made from a recycled rubber composite is really clever. It’s called the Sight-Bloc.

Measuring 6x9x11 inches, the Sight-Bloc is molded to give the shooter three different height rests by merely flipping the block. There’s a 4-inch rest surface, a 7-inch surface and a 9-inch surface. Each rest surface is shaped like a deep “U” to firmly support your gun. Weighing 14 pounds, the Sight-Bloc is also a very stable platform, and being a rubber composite, it grips firmly to any surface it’s rested on.

I’ve noticed many times that some rifles shoot their best when rested over a softer surface than a front rest bag or sandbag. To solve the problem, sometimes I would simply cradle the forearm with my hand resting on the front bag of my rest. Other times, I have placed a soft, gummy, recoil reduction pad over the front bag and rested the forearm on that. Being made of rubber, the Sight-Bloc by design already provides a soft surface to rest the forearm on.

One of the more contemporary challenges is benchresting an AR or AK when fitted with a 30-round magazine. The Sight-Bloc solves that problem by offering a 9-inch-high rest position. It is simply ideal for an AR or AK plus if you accidentally knock it off the bench, it won’t break. You aren’t going to hurt the Sight-Bloc. Carried around in a car or truck, it will prove to be a very handy and flexible field rest.

For handgunners, two of the rest surfaces measure 4-inch and 6-inch deep respectfully so they will clear a suitable length handgun barrel.

The Sight-Bloc is a well-designed and ingenious product for the shooter. It’s available directly from Range Systems for $49.99.
By Holt Bodinson

Range Systems
5121 Winnetka Ave. N.
New Hope, MN 55428
(877) 423-1785
www.gunsmagazine.com/range-systems

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A Beastly Blade!

Guns — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 18:49:46 +0000

CRKT’s Ken Onion Redemption Is A heavy-Duty Taskmaster.

Ken Onion is one of the rare custom knifemakers who have had an impact on the cutlery industry since the modern tactical era spawned in the early 1990s. His assisted opening mechanism took the tactical genre by storm and is still red hot. While the talented maker is best known for his folders, Onion designs a mean fixed-blade such as the Redemption model you see here, a factory collaboration with Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT).

Onion has long been a fan of the Filipino Bola blade, a drop-point style that flares wider toward the end. The Bola design excels on large knives where the added weight on the top half of the blade adds hellacious chopping power. The Redemption—15 inches in overall length with 9.5 of the total in the blade—is a survival knife posing as a monster, or vice versa. The knife’s full tang construction utilizes O1, a time proven high carbon non-stainless “tool steel” that’s been around since dirt. The back spine of the blade is ground for enhanced penetration and a black powder coat keeps oxidation in check. The Redemption has a curvaceous black G10 composite handle with fingergrooves for excellent purchase and an integral guard at the top for finger protection. To grip the Redemption’s 20.8 ounces (the steel is over a 1/4-inch thick) of weight is to know there are no large chores off limits. This is a bushwhacker, site clearer, shelter builder, butcherer, and more.

CRKT delivers the Redemption with a first class black nylon Molle sheath with a plastic insert to hold the knife tight, and further accoutered with leg straps and a pouch for a sharpening stone or folder. One major benefit of O1 steel is—unlike many of the modern day stainless steels—it can easily be sharpened in the wild, even using a smooth stone if necessary. At $300 suggested retail the Redemption will be worth every penny when it comes to putting its worth to task, and you’ll never have to say you’re sorry you didn’t bring a beast along to do a beast’s job!
By Pat Covert

KEN ONION REDEMPTION
Maker: CRKT
18348 S.W. 126th Pl.
Tualatin, OR 97062
(800) 891-3100
www.gunsmagazine.com/crkt

Blade Material: O1 high carbon steel
Blade Length: 9.5″
Overall Length: 15″
Weight: 20.8 ounces
Handle: Black G10
Carry: Nylon sheath/thermal plastic insert
Price: $300