Made with FlowPaper - Flipbook Maker
< Previous08 @HOOKANDBARRELMAG | HOOKANDBARREL.COM DID YOU KNOW Did you know the most visible annual meteor shower takes place in the summer between July 14th and August 24th? During that time, up to 100 meteors will streak across the sky every hour at a speed of 37 miles per second. They are best viewed during the pre-dawn hours. It would be a great time to go camping away from city lights. A SPECIAL FAMILY DESTINATION Imagine with me a place you can take your family where there is plenty for everyone to do, and they will all love it. Branson, Missouri, is located right in the middle of America in the beautiful Ozark Mountains. There are three lakes filled with fish and all kinds of on-the-water fun. You can tent camp, RV camp, stay in a log cabin or a lodge, and more. You can hike scenic trails or around theme parks or shopping outlets or golf courses. You can cook hot dogs or s’mores around a campfire or dine at a multitude of restaurants. You can sit in a boat fishing or sit in seats at one on the many theaters offering every kind of entertainment imaginable. There are so many family fun things to do in this beautiful area of America. Go to explorebranson.com and check it all out for yourself. Doesn’t your family deserve it? PETE’S STORY Pete is 96 years old. He still cooks for himself, does all his household chores, and drives his car. No nursing home for Pete. He has more energy than most men half his age. The World War II veteran was a paratrooper. He is one of “The Greatest Generation.” Each year we lose more of these men and women who sacrificed so much for us. We need to take time to thank all of our military men and women who served or are serving—but especially this generation before it’s too late, and they are all gone. Pete likes to tell stories. My favorite is a fish story. He always starts with, “It’s midnight on a hot summer day. The moon is full. I am out fishing by myself in an old wooden boat. The night is filled with the sounds of crickets chirping, owls hooting, and frogs croaking. I take my old baitcaster and throw a topwater bait toward some bushes. I let it settle then start reeling. It gurgles and wiggles back toward me. Suddenly, a very big bass attacks and thunders upward with the plug rattling in its jaw.” He always acts out the fight until he got it in the boat. I love the expressions on his face and listen each time like I have never heard his fish story before. Truth is, summer nights are still a great time to go bass fishing. When Pete goes home to heaven someday, I will miss him. There will be a lot of family and military buddies who will be glad to see him again. I am sure they will enjoy hearing Pete’s fish story as much as I do. AD by larry whiteley The great outdoors. WISDOM DOG DAYS Back in the “old days,” anglers called the hottest days of summer “dog days” thinking the fish, like dogs, just stayed in the shade and didn’t do much. Today, we know how to find the best oxygen- ated water where fish will be more active. We have learned how to be better night fishermen and be out there when it’s more comfortable for us and the fish. Really, about the only way you won’t catch fish in summer is if your bait is not in the water. SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT “Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it… it flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.” UNKNOWNRIAC IS ALWAYS ACCEPTING QUALITY CONSIGNMENT, ONE GUN OR AN ENTIRE COLLECTION! Call: 800-238-8022 or Email: guns@rockislandauction.com WWW.ROCKISLANDAUCTION.COM Undisputed World Leader for Quality Collectable and Antique Firearms ® 7819 42nd Street West, Rock Island, IL 61201 ∙ PHONE: 309-797-1500 or 800-238-8022 ∙ FAX: 309-797-1655 ∙ EMAIL: info@rockislandauction.com ∙ Fully Licensed Class III Auctioneer CATALOG ONLINE SOON! Magnificent Pair of Highly Embellished Exhibition Quality German Parlor Pistols by Adolph Frohn of Suhl Excellent “Sakanazukushi” Themed Pair of Japanese Swords, NBTHK Documented as an “Especially Precious” Ranked Daisho Set Magnificent Engraved & Gold Inlaid Holland & Holland 10 Bore Double Barrel Rotary Underlever “Paradox” Hammer Ball & Shot Gun Exceptional Documented Chiseled, Carved, and Silver Mounted Neapolitan Miquelet Smoothbore Sporting Gun by Camerchioli, Matteo Fonzo, and Lupi Dated 1827 Premier AuctionPremier Auction Fine, Historic, & Investment Grade FirearmsFine, Historic, & Investment Grade Firearms Rock Island Auction Company® FOR YOUR COMPLIMENTARY CATALOG CALL 800-238-8022 (REFERENCE THIS AD) SEPTEMBERSEPTEMBER 10TH, 11TH & 12 TH 10TH, 11TH & 12 TH REAL ART REAL HISTORY REAL IRON∙∙ The #1 Firearms Auction House in the World! Engraved Parker Brothers A1-Special Upgrade 16 Gauge Double Barrel Shotgun with Case THE GUN SHOW! LOCK AND LOAD WITH OUR TOP PICKS FOR GUNS AND OPTICS. AD NEMESIS 6.0 GTX® Agility and protection all-in-one. The engineered upper provides superior abrasion and cut resistance with a sock-like fit and less break-in time. Available in 4 and 6 inch heights. garmonttactical.com WeAreGarmontTactical THE GUN SHOW! LOCK AND LOAD WITH OUR TOP PICKS FOR GUNS AND OPTICS. ADHOOKANDBARREL.COM | @HOOKANDBARRELMAG 13 The 102-year-old O.F. Mossberg company is known for its venerable pump-action shotguns. (The Model 500 alone has sold over 12 million units, likely making it the world’s most popular long gun, period.) But the “Mossberg makes good pumps” perception is changing. In 2020, the company unveiled an upgrade to its flagship semi-automatic, the model 930, but it didn’t just trot out the first model it could most quickly get to market. Rather, Mossberg led with the 940 JM Pro, a flashy race-car-of-a-shotgun designed by likely the best all-around shooter in history, Jerry Miculek. It’s a shotgun conceived to compete with the best semi-autos avail- able, yet thanks to Mossberg’s well-oiled production line and sheer sales volume, the 940 JM Pro is priced significantly below others in its class. 940 JM PRO INSIDE AND OUT While the 940 has undergone a facelift, the real story is the overhaul on its internals that now run more efficiently with a wider range of ammo. How? The gas delivery system features two oversized ports in the cylinder. A dual short-stroke piston assembly accepts the burst of gas from the shell and slams rearward, moving the spacer tube, pusher assembly and the bolt rearward to cycle the action at similar speeds regardless of the load. Another key to the 940’s enhanced reliability is owed to its innovative spacer tube. This aluminum cylinder that rides on the mag tube features grooves to reduce surface area and to allow carbon fouling and moisture from condensation a place to go rather than just building friction under it. All critical internal parts are boron-nitride-coated to further reduce friction. Translated, the 940 is touted to run 1500 rounds with- out cleaning compared to 500 of the 930. Externally, the 940 has several key upgrades. Its plastic buttstock is adjustable via five spacers and shims that alter drop at comb/heel and cast on/off, as well as a modular buttpad system that makes the gun’s LOP adjustable from 13 inches to 14¼. This means it’ll even fit Jerry’s petite, champion-shooter daughter, Lena. These critical aspects of shotgun fit are imperative for intuitive shotgun shooting, recoil management and overall shooter satisfaction. Next, engineers slimmed the fore-end and made it flush-fitting to the receiver, something Jerry insisted on to facilitate speed loading so the hand doesn’t snag. The JM Pro features a nine-round extended mag tube below the gun’s 24-inch barrel. It comes with three (C, IC, M) premium Briley extended choke tubes that’d cost around $100 if you were to purchase them separately. The 940 JM Pro features oversized controls to reduce fumbling. The bolt-release button also serves another nifty purpose; with the gate manually depressed, a push will release a shell from the magazine so the mag can be emptied—or a single shell replaced—without cycling each shell through the chamber. Its safety is wholly Mossberg and located on the tang. Its trigger averaged a superb 4 lbs. 12 oz. pull weight. On the range, the 940 came up to my eye naturally; instantly I hit fast-flying targets without conscious thought, indicative of a gun that shoots where I look, thanks in large part to great stock fit and a well-regulated barrel. Further- more, it’s silky to load, owing to its fore-end contour and non-pinching gate. The gun never jammed when shooting 1 1 /8-ounce loads and heavier. The 940 JM Pro delivered consistent patterns with Winchester AA No. 8s. Recoil was milder than expected from this lighter-than-expected 7 1 /2-pound gun, thanks to its gas system, effective recoil pad, and impulse-soaking return spring. I’d deem the shotgun perfect if it had a modular cheek-pad system in its stock. In sum, the 940 JM Pro has everything you need to enter a 3-Gun competition right out of the box and still compete with guys shooting guns costing double. (And I’d pity the jackwagon who broke into your home not knowing you had this blue-yellow puppy fully stoked and waiting behind the door.) But for Mossberg it represents more than another good shotgun: Rather, it’s a shotgun that could change how the shooting public perceives Mossberg for the next century. MSRP, $1,015. For specs and more details, visit: mossberg.com. review by jeff johnston MOSSBERG’S 940 JM PRO In the interests of full disclosure, I’ve been a big fan of Springfield Armory guns for at least the last 30 years. My wife would say I own too many. These include a Saint, a precision M1A, the ridiculously accurate 2020 bolt-action rifle, the more- rifle-than-pistol XDM-9, and the storied FBI Hostage Rescue Team’s TRP. I refuse to sell any of them, even as I consider downsizing my collection. So, when I first heard the rumors of a true micro-compact 9mm, optics-ready handgun that packed more rounds than it has any business pack- ing, I could not wait to get my hands on one. Life got busy, and some time passed, but I finally had that chance as I prepared for this review. The great men and women of Springfield Armory did not disappoint. I want to dance. In 2020, the Springfield Hellcat OSP 9mm won prestigious Handgun of the Year awards from Guns & Ammo and the NRA for good reason. OSP stands for Optical Sight Pistol, by the way. I don’t know how these awards are doled out, but the process worked this time. Springfield has designed and built a truly tiny self-defense pistol that really shines in today’s threat environment. Countless others have tried and failed. At six inches long, four inches tall, and one inch wide, the Hellcat’s dimensions give the company the right to claim title to the smallest fighting handgun on the planet. That it comes with an 11+1 capacity carried with the flush-fitting magazine and a 13-round second magazine only back the claim. Springfield’s marketing materials don’t miss the opportunity to appropriately boast the “world’s highest capacity micro-compact 9mm.” The tiny package weighs in at only 17.9 ounces unloaded. Weight is not a big deal when carrying a gun on the belt, but every ounce matters when carrying off-body, especially for women who carry in a purse. I wear a medium-size glove, and my entire hand rides comfortably on the grip of the Hellcat even with the slightly shorter 11-round magazine that sports a frontend extension. Unlike many other short-gripped pistols, my pinkie finger isn’t treated like an inconsequential appendage. Having all four fingers on the grip helps control recoil for quick follow-up shots. For those who must have the smallest possible overall profile, a completely flat baseplate comes with the gun and two fingers on the grip prove sufficient to manage recoil. Because the 13-round magazine only grows the height by about 1 /2-inch, I will be tempted to carry this gun with the higher capacity magazine in it and the 11-round magazine as the back-up. Really, in today’s strange and unpre- dictable world, I will probably simply order another 13-rounder and carry it review by darren lee SPRINGFIELD ARMORY’S HELLCAT OSP and the 11-rounder in my off-side pocket. Having this tiny fighting gun on me with 38 rounds of quality hollow point loads at my disposal will allow me to rest easy. Small is great, but reliability is king when it comes to a defensive gun. As they say, the loudest noise a gun owner might hear is a “click” when a “bang” is needed. With the “great ammo shortage” haunting all of us, I put 300 rounds through my test gun without a malfunction of any kind. I have no doubt that the pistol would have mowed through 1,000 if I were able to have my usual hours-long session making steel targets “ping.” I couldn’t part with that much of my stash. Fighting accuracy was proven, as the plates of a plate rack fell time and again with deliberate shots at 25 yards. I have only recently adopted optics on my carry guns. For many reasons (not particularly good ones), I was one of the holdouts. My diminishing near and low-light sight as I age made the transition mandatory. Now I generally refuse to carry a gun without an optic attached. For all of the reasons we use red-dot optics over iron sights on rifles, we should use them on pistols. One of the first things I noticed when taking the Hellcat OSP from the box is the remarkably low cut on the slide for the seating of the optic. This, along with the direct-mounting system, makes the transition from iron sights to optics easier in every way and allows co-witnessing with the standard-height iron sights. There are a number of high-quality micro-optics that are compatible with the Hellcat OSP. Make sure you choose a good one because it will help avoid frustration and wasted cash. As a friend at SureFire says—buy once, cry once. A crisp and well-positioned, push button-style magazine release al- lows for easy and fast reloads. It can easily be transferred to the right side of the gun for you southpaws out there. Springfield refers to the grip texture as Adaptive Grip Texture. I usually ignore such things, but this stuff really does seem to be special. Even with sweaty hands on a warm day, the gun stayed put during rapid fire strings. The particularly useful shelf for my support hand thumb to apply downward resistance was just icing on the cake here. The Hellcat OSP sets the standard for the smallest true fighting pistols with meaningful magazine capacity. It looks like my already-too-big Springfield Armory collection has just grown by one because this one is not going back to the factory. MSRP, $599. For specs and more details, visit: springfield-armory.com.HOOKANDBARREL.COM | @HOOKANDBARRELMAG 13 The 102-year-old O.F. Mossberg company is known for its venerable pump-action shotguns. (The Model 500 alone has sold over 12 million units, likely making it the world’s most popular long gun, period.) But the “Mossberg makes good pumps” perception is changing. In 2020, the company unveiled an upgrade to its flagship semi-automatic, the model 930, but it didn’t just trot out the first model it could most quickly get to market. Rather, Mossberg led with the 940 JM Pro, a flashy race-car-of-a-shotgun designed by likely the best all-around shooter in history, Jerry Miculek. It’s a shotgun conceived to compete with the best semi-autos avail- able, yet thanks to Mossberg’s well-oiled production line and sheer sales volume, the 940 JM Pro is priced significantly below others in its class. 940 JM PRO INSIDE AND OUT While the 940 has undergone a facelift, the real story is the overhaul on its internals that now run more efficiently with a wider range of ammo. How? The gas delivery system features two oversized ports in the cylinder. A dual short-stroke piston assembly accepts the burst of gas from the shell and slams rearward, moving the spacer tube, pusher assembly and the bolt rearward to cycle the action at similar speeds regardless of the load. Another key to the 940’s enhanced reliability is owed to its innovative spacer tube. This aluminum cylinder that rides on the mag tube features grooves to reduce surface area and to allow carbon fouling and moisture from condensation a place to go rather than just building friction under it. All critical internal parts are boron-nitride-coated to further reduce friction. Translated, the 940 is touted to run 1500 rounds with- out cleaning compared to 500 of the 930. Externally, the 940 has several key upgrades. Its plastic buttstock is adjustable via five spacers and shims that alter drop at comb/heel and cast on/off, as well as a modular buttpad system that makes the gun’s LOP adjustable from 13 inches to 14¼. This means it’ll even fit Jerry’s petite, champion-shooter daughter, Lena. These critical aspects of shotgun fit are imperative for intuitive shotgun shooting, recoil management and overall shooter satisfaction. Next, engineers slimmed the fore-end and made it flush-fitting to the receiver, something Jerry insisted on to facilitate speed loading so the hand doesn’t snag. The JM Pro features a nine-round extended mag tube below the gun’s 24-inch barrel. It comes with three (C, IC, M) premium Briley extended choke tubes that’d cost around $100 if you were to purchase them separately. The 940 JM Pro features oversized controls to reduce fumbling. The bolt-release button also serves another nifty purpose; with the gate manually depressed, a push will release a shell from the magazine so the mag can be emptied—or a single shell replaced—without cycling each shell through the chamber. Its safety is wholly Mossberg and located on the tang. Its trigger averaged a superb 4 lbs. 12 oz. pull weight. On the range, the 940 came up to my eye naturally; instantly I hit fast-flying targets without conscious thought, indicative of a gun that shoots where I look, thanks in large part to great stock fit and a well-regulated barrel. Further- more, it’s silky to load, owing to its fore-end contour and non-pinching gate. The gun never jammed when shooting 1 1 /8-ounce loads and heavier. The 940 JM Pro delivered consistent patterns with Winchester AA No. 8s. Recoil was milder than expected from this lighter-than-expected 7 1 /2-pound gun, thanks to its gas system, effective recoil pad, and impulse-soaking return spring. I’d deem the shotgun perfect if it had a modular cheek-pad system in its stock. In sum, the 940 JM Pro has everything you need to enter a 3-Gun competition right out of the box and still compete with guys shooting guns costing double. (And I’d pity the jackwagon who broke into your home not knowing you had this blue-yellow puppy fully stoked and waiting behind the door.) But for Mossberg it represents more than another good shotgun: Rather, it’s a shotgun that could change how the shooting public perceives Mossberg for the next century. MSRP, $1,015. For specs and more details, visit: mossberg.com. review by jeff johnston MOSSBERG’S 940 JM PRO In the interests of full disclosure, I’ve been a big fan of Springfield Armory guns for at least the last 30 years. My wife would say I own too many. These include a Saint, a precision M1A, the ridiculously accurate 2020 bolt-action rifle, the more- rifle-than-pistol XDM-9, and the storied FBI Hostage Rescue Team’s TRP. I refuse to sell any of them, even as I consider downsizing my collection. So, when I first heard the rumors of a true micro-compact 9mm, optics-ready handgun that packed more rounds than it has any business pack- ing, I could not wait to get my hands on one. Life got busy, and some time passed, but I finally had that chance as I prepared for this review. The great men and women of Springfield Armory did not disappoint. I want to dance. In 2020, the Springfield Hellcat OSP 9mm won prestigious Handgun of the Year awards from Guns & Ammo and the NRA for good reason. OSP stands for Optical Sight Pistol, by the way. I don’t know how these awards are doled out, but the process worked this time. Springfield has designed and built a truly tiny self-defense pistol that really shines in today’s threat environment. Countless others have tried and failed. At six inches long, four inches tall, and one inch wide, the Hellcat’s dimensions give the company the right to claim title to the smallest fighting handgun on the planet. That it comes with an 11+1 capacity carried with the flush-fitting magazine and a 13-round second magazine only back the claim. Springfield’s marketing materials don’t miss the opportunity to appropriately boast the “world’s highest capacity micro-compact 9mm.” The tiny package weighs in at only 17.9 ounces unloaded. Weight is not a big deal when carrying a gun on the belt, but every ounce matters when carrying off-body, especially for women who carry in a purse. I wear a medium-size glove, and my entire hand rides comfortably on the grip of the Hellcat even with the slightly shorter 11-round magazine that sports a frontend extension. Unlike many other short-gripped pistols, my pinkie finger isn’t treated like an inconsequential appendage. Having all four fingers on the grip helps control recoil for quick follow-up shots. For those who must have the smallest possible overall profile, a completely flat baseplate comes with the gun and two fingers on the grip prove sufficient to manage recoil. Because the 13-round magazine only grows the height by about 1 /2-inch, I will be tempted to carry this gun with the higher capacity magazine in it and the 11-round magazine as the back-up. Really, in today’s strange and unpre- dictable world, I will probably simply order another 13-rounder and carry it review by darren lee SPRINGFIELD ARMORY’S HELLCAT OSP and the 11-rounder in my off-side pocket. Having this tiny fighting gun on me with 38 rounds of quality hollow point loads at my disposal will allow me to rest easy. Small is great, but reliability is king when it comes to a defensive gun. As they say, the loudest noise a gun owner might hear is a “click” when a “bang” is needed. With the “great ammo shortage” haunting all of us, I put 300 rounds through my test gun without a malfunction of any kind. I have no doubt that the pistol would have mowed through 1,000 if I were able to have my usual hours-long session making steel targets “ping.” I couldn’t part with that much of my stash. Fighting accuracy was proven, as the plates of a plate rack fell time and again with deliberate shots at 25 yards. I have only recently adopted optics on my carry guns. For many reasons (not particularly good ones), I was one of the holdouts. My diminishing near and low-light sight as I age made the transition mandatory. Now I generally refuse to carry a gun without an optic attached. For all of the reasons we use red-dot optics over iron sights on rifles, we should use them on pistols. One of the first things I noticed when taking the Hellcat OSP from the box is the remarkably low cut on the slide for the seating of the optic. This, along with the direct-mounting system, makes the transition from iron sights to optics easier in every way and allows co-witnessing with the standard-height iron sights. There are a number of high-quality micro-optics that are compatible with the Hellcat OSP. Make sure you choose a good one because it will help avoid frustration and wasted cash. As a friend at SureFire says—buy once, cry once. A crisp and well-positioned, push button-style magazine release al- lows for easy and fast reloads. It can easily be transferred to the right side of the gun for you southpaws out there. Springfield refers to the grip texture as Adaptive Grip Texture. I usually ignore such things, but this stuff really does seem to be special. Even with sweaty hands on a warm day, the gun stayed put during rapid fire strings. The particularly useful shelf for my support hand thumb to apply downward resistance was just icing on the cake here. The Hellcat OSP sets the standard for the smallest true fighting pistols with meaningful magazine capacity. It looks like my already-too-big Springfield Armory collection has just grown by one because this one is not going back to the factory. MSRP, $599. For specs and more details, visit: springfield-armory.com.HOOKANDBARREL.COM | @HOOKANDBARRELMAG 15 For most American hunters, shooters, and home- defenders including this writer, nearly any sub-$1,000, mil-spec AR-15 will meet the performance requirements asked of it. But how boring is that? Most of us prefer a brand-name AR with enough features that we don’t have to spend so much money modifying it that we’re left wondering why we didn’t just buy a high-end model in the first place. That’s what Sig’s set out to do with its entry-level Tread series. Tread rifles come standard with quality stainless-steel barrels, CNC-machined receivers, Magpul furniture, ambidextrous controls, aluminum M-Lok handguards, micro-gas blocks, optimal length direct impingement gas systems, rubber buffers to ensure tight upper/lower fit, and hard-polished triggers. These features form the foundation of reliable and accurate ARs. Then Sig tailored Tread models for specific uses by features, all while keeping costs pleasantly low. One such model for varmint hunters is the M400 Tread Predator. Chambered in 5.56, the Predator’s 16-inch stainless-steel, free-floated pipe offers hunters a greater level of rust protection when nasty weather rains on your coyote calling. The gun is threaded for a suppressor and capped by a thread protector rather than wearing a flash suppressor. Ambidextrous controls are standard. Sig even guarded its innovative left-handed mag release button from accidental activation by machining a protective gate around it. And rather than pinning a standard safety switch on the receiver’s right side for lefties, it shortened it so it doesn’t impede the trigger finger of righties. Four main differences distinguish the Predator from other Tread models: 1. It features a full-figured Precision Adjustable Buttstock to fit the shooter’s exact length-of-pull and comb height requirements so shooters can choose any optic yet still obtain a comfortable cheekweld that aligns the eye perfectly every time. This is critical for precision accuracy. 2. The rifle’s mid-length gas system (superior to the shorter carbine-length tubes found on many 16-inch barrel ARs) is hidden underneath Sig’s aluminum, 15-inch handguard. I dig its squared bottom that facilitates solid resting whether on a benchrest, pack, or your buddy’s bony shoulder. Its top is scalloped so it doesn’t feel as blocky as it should. M-Lok slots perforate its sides and top for mounting accoutrements. 3. All external metal is finished in Sig’s “Elite Jungle” Cerakote that not only camouflages the rifle and protects it, but looks sweet. Cerakote is usually reserved for guns costing more, but it’s standard on the Predator. 4. A five-round Magpul magazine is included so hunters can go prone and still rest the rifle without teeter-tottering on a 30-rounder. Hunters rarely need more than a few shots at a time, so the five-rounder is the way to go. But of course any standard AR mag will function if you really need to quell the hog rebellion. During testing I fired over 500 rounds and only experienced one jam. It demonstrated good accuracy with a variety of ammo, averaging 1.35-inch, 3-shot groups. It probably could have been slightly more accurate had its trigger been lighter than 8 lbs., 4 ozs. Regardless, it was huge to be able to mount whatever optic I wanted (I tested an Eotech Vudu 1x-8x and a Leupold red dot) in whatever mounts I had and then was able to adjust the comb so it aligned the optic to my eye perfectly. I only experienced one problem with my test rifle and that was with its five-round P-Mag. When fully loaded, it was excessively difficult to seat it with the bolt closed. I either had to only load four rounds in it or lock the bolt rearward before seating it. I know this is a magazine issue and not a flaw of the rifle, however, because the same problem occurred when I tested the mag in several other ARs. Ten and 30-round magazines worked fine. If you’re primarily a varmint hunter or mid-range (100 to 600 yards) shooter, Sig’s new Tread Predator is a versatile, quality AR that comes standard with several specialized features for which you’d normally pay extra. This green machine represents a fantastic value—so good in fact, that I’m now wondering why I’d ever pay more. MSRP, $1,099. For specs and more details, visit: sigsauer.com. review by jeff johnston SIG SAUER’S M400 TREAD PREDATOR review by brian mccombie KIMBER’S MICRO 9 RAPIDE As concealed carry became increasingly popular, gun makers turned out dozens of smaller, much-easier- to-conceal handguns. Makes sense, right? Big potential problem with pint-sized pistols, though: they can be very difficult to shoot accurately. Tiny grips, smallish trigger guards, and dinky sights. Sure, they tuck right into a pocket. But try to hit a target at 10 yards. Not the bullseye— just the target! Thankfully, Kimber has figured out how to make a smaller carry gun that is also accurate and easy to shoot: the Kimber Micro 9 Rapide in 9MM. Essentially a baby 1911, the Kimber Micro 9 Rapide is a single action, semi-automatic, and mine looked great right out of the box. Done in a two-tone finish—a silver gray slide and a darker, almost pewter-colored frame—the pistol also features stepped cocking serrations, slide lightening cuts, black G10 grips, and a Stiplex front strap pattern cut into the frame for added gripping stability. But it was also small, fairly short with a 3.1-inch barrel, and weighed under a pound. So, I had to wonder: can I hit anything with it? To answer that question, I used five brands of ammuni- tion in the Micro 9 Rapide, including Winchester’s Train and Defend self-defense round with a 147-grain jacketed hollow point bullet. In over 200 rounds, I experienced no loading or ejecting malfunctions. The one problem I had with the Micro 9 Rapide, early on, was gripping the pistol too high. With the recoil of firing, my hand came up on the grip and onto the beavertail, and the side of my shooting hand’s thumb engaged the ambidextrous butterfly safety. I was holding the Micro 9 Rapide much like a full-sized 1911, with my shoot- ing thumb riding up on the frame. The solution? I laid my shooting thumb over the left grip on a horizontal line with the middle of the trigger, then placed my other thumb over the shooting thumb at a 90-degree angle. The pressure from my non-shooting thumb kept the other thumb away from the safety. Once I had mastered this holding technique, I was amazed at this little pistol’s accuracy. I started at a concealed carry range of five yards, firing offhand, and quickly concluded that any five-shot group not at 1.0 inches or better was my fault. At 10 yards and still shooting offhand, my groups averaged larger in the 1.5-inch to 2.0-inch range, still quite admirable. My best 10-yard group was shot with the Winchester Train and Defend ammunition at just .85 inches. I also shot a 1.0-inch group with Winchester’s USA Ready range ammunition. The Kimber’s Tru-Glo TFX Pro Day Night Sights popped nice- ly and put me on target quickly, thanks to the fiber optic inserts front and back. The rear notch was also large enough so that I could see the whole front post with space on either side, versus the all-too-common handgun sights that don’t allow the shooter to see much beyond sights themselves. Trigger pull on the Micro 9 Rapide averaged five pounds, five ounces. The trigger itself was just a bit balky, but with the accuracy I achieved, it was obviously not a problem. I carried the Micro 9 Rapide for several days using a Galco Stow-N-Go, IWB holster (Model K-STO664). The Galco clipped on to the outside of my belt and held the Rapide at a near- perfect height for drawing out the pistol. The holster and pistol were comfortable, even after hours of carry. I also carried the Micro 9 Rapide in the small of my back using a Sticky Holster. This was ultra-comfortable when walking and standing and really wasn’t a bother when sitting as long as I sat with my trunk leaning a smidge forward. In hand, the Micro 9 Rapide feels solid and serious despite its relatively small footprint. Concealed carriers will find much to appreciate in this pistol, and it will fit nicely on the night- stand, too. MSRP, $910. For specs and more details, visit: kimberamerica.com.HOOKANDBARREL.COM | @HOOKANDBARRELMAG 15 review by brian mccombie KIMBER’S MICRO 9 RAPIDE (BLACK ICE) As concealed carry became increasingly popular, gun makers turned out dozens of smaller, much-easier- to-conceal handguns. Makes sense, right? Big potential problem with pint-sized pistols, though: they can be very difficult to shoot accurately. Tiny grips, smallish trigger guards, and dinky sights. Sure, they tuck right into a pocket. But try to hit a target at 10 yards. Not the bullseye— just the target! Thankfully, Kimber has figured out how to make a smaller carry gun that is also accurate and easy to shoot: the Kimber Micro 9 Rapide in 9MM. Essentially a baby 1911, the Kimber Micro 9 Rapide is a single action, semi-automatic, and mine looked great right out of the box. Done in a two-tone finish—a silver gray slide and a darker, almost pewter-colored frame—the pistol also features stepped cocking serrations, slide lightening cuts, black G10 grips, and a Stiplex front strap pattern cut into the frame for added gripping stability. But it was also small, fairly short with a 3.1-inch barrel, and weighed under a pound. So, I had to wonder: can I hit anything with it? To answer that question, I used five brands of ammuni- tion in the Micro 9 Rapide, including Winchester’s Train and Defend self-defense round with a 147-grain jacketed hollow point bullet. In over 200 rounds, I experienced no loading or ejecting malfunctions. The one problem I had with the Micro 9 Rapide, early on, was gripping the pistol too high. With the recoil of firing, my hand came up on the grip and onto the beavertail, and the side of my shooting hand’s thumb engaged the ambidextrous butterfly safety. I was holding the Micro 9 Rapide much like a full-sized 1911, with my shoot- ing thumb riding up on the frame. The solution? I laid my shooting thumb over the left grip on a horizontal line with the middle of the trigger, then placed my other thumb over the shooting thumb at a 90-degree angle. The pressure from my non-shooting thumb kept the other thumb away from the safety. Once I had mastered this holding technique, I was amazed at this little pistol’s accuracy. I started at a concealed carry range of five yards, firing offhand, and quickly concluded that any five-shot group not at 1.0 inches or better was my fault. At 10 yards and still shooting offhand, my groups averaged larger in the 1.5-inch to 2.0-inch range, still quite admirable. My best 10-yard group was shot with the Winchester Train and Defend ammunition at just .85 inches. I also shot a 1.0-inch group with Winchester’s USA Ready range ammunition. The Kimber’s Tru-Glo TFX Pro Day Night Sights popped nice- ly and put me on target quickly, thanks to the fiber optic inserts front and back. The rear notch was also large enough so that I could see the whole front post with space on either side, versus the all-too-common handgun sights that don’t allow the shooter to see much beyond sights themselves. Trigger pull on the Micro 9 Rapide averaged five pounds, five ounces. The trigger itself was just a bit balky, but with the accuracy I achieved, it was obviously not a problem. I carried the Micro 9 Rapide for several days using a Galco Stow-N-Go, IWB holster (Model K-STO664). The Galco clipped on to the outside of my belt and held the Rapide at a near- perfect height for drawing out the pistol. The holster and pistol were comfortable, even after hours of carry. I also carried the Micro 9 Rapide in the small of my back using a Sticky Holster. This was ultra-comfortable when walking and standing and really wasn’t a bother when sitting as long as I sat with my trunk leaning a smidge forward. In hand, the Micro 9 Rapide feels solid and serious despite its relatively small footprint. Concealed carriers will find much to appreciate in this pistol, and it will fit nicely on the night- stand, too. MSRP, $910. For specs and more details, visit: kimberamerica.com.HOOKANDBARREL.COM | @HOOKANDBARRELMAG 17 Among my earliest memories are the countless times I sat glued to our wood-paneled TV set, complete with rabbit ears, watching The Rifleman. Lucas McCain’s masterful handling of his Winchester Model 1892 .44-40 lever-action rifle had me wishing I was young Mark McCain, learning the Rifleman’s ways. If you watched the show, you know the towns were dusty, the horses were fast, and the gunslingers were even faster. Of course, 19 years before production of McCain’s famed Model 1892, Winchester began producing another rifle that would weave the brand into the fabric of American history—the Model 1873 lever=action rifle—yes, the gun that won the west! To be sure, Winchester has maintained something of an untouchable legacy over the past 155 years. The good news continues, too. Winchester produces the types of hunting rifles us trigger-happy history buffs love, including that every-climb- and-place Model 70, which has expanded to a Model 70 Extreme lineup. I recently had the pleasure of testing one such model, the Extreme Weather SS chambered in .300 Winchester Magnum. THE WALK-AROUND The Model 70 Extreme Weather SS I tested was manufactured by Browning in Viana, Portugal, and like all performance rifles, it begins with great bones. The Model 70 Extreme Weather SS boasts a Bell & Carlson stock constructed via a “hand lay-up” process in which each composite ingredient is meticulously applied. Internal to the stock is an aluminum bedding block system designed to ensure the barreled action remains perfectly stable, balanced, and bedded for exceptional accuracy. The Model 70 Extreme’s action and barrel form the backbone of the rifle’s performance. As a starting point, both compo- nents are constructed of stainless steel with a rich matte finish. True to desirable pre-1964 Model 70s, today’s iterations feature Winchester’s iconic claw extractor with controlled-round feed and a three-position safety. The safety’s middle position allows the bolt to be cycled while still on safe—perfect to safely check if a rifle is unloaded. The Model 70 Extreme’s 26-inch .300 Win. Mag. barrel is fluted and free-floating with a 1:10 twist, recessed crown to protect rifling, and is capped by a pepperbox-style muzzle brake. The assembled barreled action is designed to deliver the consistent sub-MOA accuracy hunters demand and reliability they can trust. Additional features include precision-machined bottom metal with a hinged-plate magazine and Winchester’s M.O.A. Trigger. TRIGGER TIME For testing, I used a Brownells Model 70 Long-Action single-piece scope base and Accu-Tac’s medium-height, 30mm scope rings. On top, I mounted a Sightmark Citadel 3-18x50 LR2 first-focal-plane riflescope with a mil-dash reticle and .1-MRAD turret adjustments. Underneath, I employed a Firefield Stronghold 6-9-in. bipod and my trusty Tactical Tailor squeeze bag. For ammo, I chose Black Hills Ammunition’s 212-grain ELD-X. With the rifle setup for hunting conditions, I headed to the Arlington Sportsman Club, a local shooting range on the western edge of Mansfield, Texas. To begin, I visually boresighted to a paper target just 50 yards away, made quick adjustments, settled down behind the rifle, and squeezed the trigger. Up front, the trigger seemed a tad stiff, but the shot rang out sooner than I expected. My first lesson—the trigger has short travel and is incredibly crisp. I had expected a longer pull, and it felt as though it hovered around 3 lbs. Later testing with a Wheeler gauge resulted in a 20-pull average break-weight of 3 lbs., 6.8 oz. At 100 yards, I employed my LabRadar chronograph and shot for groups. The Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather SS and Black Hills Ammunition’s 212-grain ELD-X .300 Win. Mag. ammo did not disappoint! I managed a .585-MOA 5-shot group. Soon after, I also scored a .75-MOA at 200 yards. Black Hills Ammunition’s ballistic data was equally impressive. Average muzzle velocity was 2810 fps with a standard deviation of 9.7. Extreme spread was 31, and muzzle energy was 3718 ft.-lbs. THE FINAL SHOT With the Model 70 Extreme’s Pachmayr Declerator buttpad and muzzle brake, recoil was quite manageable, even comfortable for the caliber size and lighter rifle weight. Loaded, with a riflescope, the Model 70 Extreme SS weighs about 10 pounds. Empty, the rifle weighs seven pounds four ounces. Considering shooting and carrying comfort, as well as accuracy and the Model 70s proven reliability, I’m a big fan of the Extreme Weather SS. MSRP, $1,379. For specs and more details, visit: winchesterguns.com. review by kevin reese Smith & Wesson is considered a national treasure by most red- blooded Americans. The company began making guns in 1856 and has been a brand synonymous with quality and reliability ever since. Unlike the big American auto makers, it never had a period of complacency. It has always known that the lives of millions of good men and women through the decades counted on the company’s guns for survival when unprovoked violence came knocking. In 2005, the company introduced its M&P (Military and Police) line of polymer-framed, semi-automatic pistols to the world. The line was meant to compete with the Glock—the big kid on the block since the 1980s. Without question, the line has been an astounding success. When friends ask me for suggestions regarding a semi-auto pistol purchase, it is always one of only a few I mention. It is good to keep things simple. Because of the NRA’s good work in legislatures around the country, the concealed carry of firearms for self-defense outside of the home has become common. It is a great thing, at least for anyone who is not a violent predator. In 2012, Smith & Wesson introduced the M&P Shield as a truly small but potent pistol that could be easily and discretely carried in daily life. People can find excuses to leave bigger guns at home. The Shield had a capacity of seven rounds in the flush-fitting maga- zine and eight rounds in the slightly extended version that many owners carried for any necessary reload. A few years ago, the manufacturers of tiny, reliable concealed carry guns upped the ante with significantly increased magazine capacity, and the Shield Plus is Smith & Wesson’s brilliant move into this space. With no meaningful increase in the overall size of the pistol, magazine capacity has now grown to 10 and 13 rounds, respectively, through what some call a “stack and a half” magazine design. Counting the round in the chamber, this grows the two-magazine package from 16 rounds in the original Shield to 24 rounds in the appropriately named Shield Plus. For the mathematically challenged like me, this is a 50 percent increase in ammunition available during a life-or-death battle. Yes, I am assuming that everyone carries at least one spare magazine because they should, end of story. In all honesty, I carry a second 13-round magazine in my support hand pocket to bring my available ammunition supply to 37 rounds of 9mm +P. Call me paranoid, but I long ago decided that I will do what is needed to face down an active shooter. Take Stephen Willeford for example, the hero who literally ran to the sound of gunfire in Sutherland Springs, Texas. He got into a gun- fight with the mass murderer and hit him with all six rounds he fired. Authorities credited him with saving countless lives that day. “I wish I had fewer rounds of ammo” has never been said by any fight winner in history. The beauty of the Shield Plus is that the owner can be absolutely ready for the worst of circumstances while doing it with the utmost discretion. The most significant design change from the original Shield, other than magazine shape and capacity, is the trigger. The original trigger had a hinged safety and was necessarily of the traditional curved design. It worked well. The new trigger on the Shield Plus has a nearly flat face, and the hinged safety is replaced by a wide blade safety. Dry firing the gun extensively prior to taking it to the range convinced me that I was going to love this new trigger once I started to burn through rounds on steel targets. I was right. The engineers at Smith & Wesson made some great decisions. For the hundreds of thousands of Shield fans already out there, some really good news is that all of the holsters for the Shield still work for the Shield Plus. This is how little the dimensions of the gun changed. The overall width was the only expansion, and that was from .95” to 1.10,” a mere .15” difference that is imperceptible from a practical perspective. The unloaded weight has increased from 18.3 ounces to 20.2 ounces. Again, this is not something that is noticeable when holding the two guns, one in each hand. A friend who had already shot the Shield Plus told me that he felt that the Plus was more pleasant to shoot, especially with hotter self-defense loads, than the original Shield. Though he may have biased me, I walked away from the range with the same impression. The new gun is a real pleasure to shoot. This could be due to the slight weight increase and increased rear grip area distributing the recoil impulse. Regardless, the recoil from the Shield Plus is easily managed even by the slightest-framed shooters. When friends ask about their options for concealed carry guns, I will now replace my previous Smith & Wesson Shield recommendation with the Shield Plus. There are a select few I have ever included in my answer. It has been a great option from the beginning, but the serious enhancement to magazine capacity and new trigger design make the great even better. MSRP, $553. For specs and more details, visit: smith-wesson.com. review by darren lee SMITH & WESSON’S M&P9 SHIELD PLUS WINCHESTER’S MODEL 70 EXTREME WEATHER SS.HOOKANDBARREL.COM | @HOOKANDBARRELMAG 17 Among my earliest memories are the countless times I sat glued to our wood-paneled TV set, complete with rabbit ears, watching The Rifleman. Lucas McCain’s masterful handling of his Winchester Model 1892 .44-40 lever-action rifle had me wishing I was young Mark McCain, learning the Rifleman’s ways. If you watched the show, you know the towns were dusty, the horses were fast, and the gunslingers were even faster. Of course, 19 years before production of McCain’s famed Model 1892, Winchester began producing another rifle that would weave the brand into the fabric of American history—the Model 1873 lever=action rifle—yes, the gun that won the west! To be sure, Winchester has maintained something of an untouchable legacy over the past 155 years. The good news continues, too. Winchester produces the types of hunting rifles us trigger-happy history buffs love, including that every-climb- and-place Model 70, which has expanded to a Model 70 Extreme lineup. I recently had the pleasure of testing one such model, the Extreme Weather SS chambered in .300 Winchester Magnum. THE WALK-AROUND The Model 70 Extreme Weather SS I tested was manufactured by Browning in Viana, Portugal, and like all performance rifles, it begins with great bones. The Model 70 Extreme Weather SS boasts a Bell & Carlson stock constructed via a “hand lay-up” process in which each composite ingredient is meticulously applied. Internal to the stock is an aluminum bedding block system designed to ensure the barreled action remains perfectly stable, balanced, and bedded for exceptional accuracy. The Model 70 Extreme’s action and barrel form the backbone of the rifle’s performance. As a starting point, both compo- nents are constructed of stainless steel with a rich matte finish. True to desirable pre-1964 Model 70s, today’s iterations feature Winchester’s iconic claw extractor with controlled-round feed and a three-position safety. The safety’s middle position allows the bolt to be cycled while still on safe—perfect to safely check if a rifle is unloaded. The Model 70 Extreme’s 26-inch .300 Win. Mag. barrel is fluted and free-floating with a 1:10 twist, recessed crown to protect rifling, and is capped by a pepperbox-style muzzle brake. The assembled barreled action is designed to deliver the consistent sub-MOA accuracy hunters demand and reliability they can trust. Additional features include precision-machined bottom metal with a hinged-plate magazine and Winchester’s M.O.A. Trigger. TRIGGER TIME For testing, I used a Brownells Model 70 Long-Action single-piece scope base and Accu-Tac’s medium-height, 30mm scope rings. On top, I mounted a Sightmark Citadel 3-18x50 LR2 first-focal-plane riflescope with a mil-dash reticle and .1-MRAD turret adjustments. Underneath, I employed a Firefield Stronghold 6-9-in. bipod and my trusty Tactical Tailor squeeze bag. For ammo, I chose Black Hills Ammunition’s 212-grain ELD-X. With the rifle setup for hunting conditions, I headed to the Arlington Sportsman Club, a local shooting range on the western edge of Mansfield, Texas. To begin, I visually boresighted to a paper target just 50 yards away, made quick adjustments, settled down behind the rifle, and squeezed the trigger. Up front, the trigger seemed a tad stiff, but the shot rang out sooner than I expected. My first lesson—the trigger has short travel and is incredibly crisp. I had expected a longer pull, and it felt as though it hovered around 3 lbs. Later testing with a Wheeler gauge resulted in a 20-pull average break-weight of 3 lbs., 6.8 oz. At 100 yards, I employed my LabRadar chronograph and shot for groups. The Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather SS and Black Hills Ammunition’s 212-grain ELD-X .300 Win. Mag. ammo did not disappoint! I managed a .585-MOA 5-shot group. Soon after, I also scored a .75-MOA at 200 yards. Black Hills Ammunition’s ballistic data was equally impressive. Average muzzle velocity was 2810 fps with a standard deviation of 9.7. Extreme spread was 31, and muzzle energy was 3718 ft.-lbs. THE FINAL SHOT With the Model 70 Extreme’s Pachmayr Declerator buttpad and muzzle brake, recoil was quite manageable, even comfortable for the caliber size and lighter rifle weight. Loaded, with a riflescope, the Model 70 Extreme SS weighs about 10 pounds. Empty, the rifle weighs seven pounds four ounces. Considering shooting and carrying comfort, as well as accuracy and the Model 70s proven reliability, I’m a big fan of the Extreme Weather SS. MSRP, $1,379. For specs and more details, visit: winchesterguns.com. review by kevin reese Smith & Wesson is considered a national treasure by most red- blooded Americans. The company began making guns in 1856 and has been a brand synonymous with quality and reliability ever since. Unlike the big American auto makers, it never had a period of complacency. It has always known that the lives of millions of good men and women through the decades counted on the company’s guns for survival when unprovoked violence came knocking. In 2005, the company introduced its M&P (Military and Police) line of polymer-framed, semi-automatic pistols to the world. The line was meant to compete with the Glock—the big kid on the block since the 1980s. Without question, the line has been an astounding success. When friends ask me for suggestions regarding a semi-auto pistol purchase, it is always one of only a few I mention. It is good to keep things simple. Because of the NRA’s good work in legislatures around the country, the concealed carry of firearms for self-defense outside of the home has become common. It is a great thing, at least for anyone who is not a violent predator. In 2012, Smith & Wesson introduced the M&P Shield as a truly small but potent pistol that could be easily and discretely carried in daily life. People can find excuses to leave bigger guns at home. The Shield had a capacity of seven rounds in the flush-fitting maga- zine and eight rounds in the slightly extended version that many owners carried for any necessary reload. A few years ago, the manufacturers of tiny, reliable concealed carry guns upped the ante with significantly increased magazine capacity, and the Shield Plus is Smith & Wesson’s brilliant move into this space. With no meaningful increase in the overall size of the pistol, magazine capacity has now grown to 10 and 13 rounds, respectively, through what some call a “stack and a half” magazine design. Counting the round in the chamber, this grows the two-magazine package from 16 rounds in the original Shield to 24 rounds in the appropriately named Shield Plus. For the mathematically challenged like me, this is a 50 percent increase in ammunition available during a life-or-death battle. Yes, I am assuming that everyone carries at least one spare magazine because they should, end of story. In all honesty, I carry a second 13-round magazine in my support hand pocket to bring my available ammunition supply to 37 rounds of 9mm +P. Call me paranoid, but I long ago decided that I will do what is needed to face down an active shooter. Take Stephen Willeford for example, the hero who literally ran to the sound of gunfire in Sutherland Springs, Texas. He got into a gun- fight with the mass murderer and hit him with all six rounds he fired. Authorities credited him with saving countless lives that day. “I wish I had fewer rounds of ammo” has never been said by any fight winner in history. The beauty of the Shield Plus is that the owner can be absolutely ready for the worst of circumstances while doing it with the utmost discretion. The most significant design change from the original Shield, other than magazine shape and capacity, is the trigger. The original trigger had a hinged safety and was necessarily of the traditional curved design. It worked well. The new trigger on the Shield Plus has a nearly flat face, and the hinged safety is replaced by a wide blade safety. Dry firing the gun extensively prior to taking it to the range convinced me that I was going to love this new trigger once I started to burn through rounds on steel targets. I was right. The engineers at Smith & Wesson made some great decisions. For the hundreds of thousands of Shield fans already out there, some really good news is that all of the holsters for the Shield still work for the Shield Plus. This is how little the dimensions of the gun changed. The overall width was the only expansion, and that was from .95” to 1.10,” a mere .15” difference that is imperceptible from a practical perspective. The unloaded weight has increased from 18.3 ounces to 20.2 ounces. Again, this is not something that is noticeable when holding the two guns, one in each hand. A friend who had already shot the Shield Plus told me that he felt that the Plus was more pleasant to shoot, especially with hotter self-defense loads, than the original Shield. Though he may have biased me, I walked away from the range with the same impression. The new gun is a real pleasure to shoot. This could be due to the slight weight increase and increased rear grip area distributing the recoil impulse. Regardless, the recoil from the Shield Plus is easily managed even by the slightest-framed shooters. When friends ask about their options for concealed carry guns, I will now replace my previous Smith & Wesson Shield recommendation with the Shield Plus. There are a select few I have ever included in my answer. It has been a great option from the beginning, but the serious enhancement to magazine capacity and new trigger design make the great even better. MSRP, $553. For specs and more details, visit: smith-wesson.com. review by darren lee SMITH & WESSON’S M&P9 SHIELD PLUS WINCHESTER’S MODEL 70 EXTREME WEATHER SS.Next >