Since the website has not been updated in a long time, I wanted to drop a quick note to say that I am still here and still running the site. If you are an avid follower of our content, you may have noticed that I have still been posting on our Instagram feed and responding to comments on Facebook and YouTube. However, our content on YouTube has not been updated in some time. I am working to find a better day-job/content creation balance and hope to get some more videos up and rolling soon. Thanks for sticking with us!
Category Archives: News
Primary Arms announces new GLx Scope Line
Primary Arms has just announced the pre-order of their new Gold Series scope line. The Gold Series scopes are designed in Texas and made in the Philippines. They are placed as a mid-tier scope just under their Platinum line, but boast some very nice features. The most interesting model for most precision rifle shooters will be the 6-24x50mm. It features locking turrets with resettable zero stops as well as several first focal plane reticle options. One very interesting feature is that the magnification ring is customizable with a folding lever to assist in rapid magnification changes.
The GLx series of scopes will all retail under $1000, which places them at a very competitive price point compared to other Precision Rifle oriented FFP scopes with these features. Continue reading Primary Arms announces new GLx Scope Line
Trijicon SRO First Look from NRAAM
Trijicon announced the new Specialized Reflex Optic (SRO) several days before the National Rifle Association Annual Meeting. Almost immediately, the internet exploded with speculation about what the SRO is and what it isn’t.
Many shooters see the SRO as a successor to the combat proven RMR. Trijicon reps were quick to refute that. Trijicon intends the SRO to fill the needs of competition shooters and intends the RMR to continue its position as their slide mounted combat optic.
I had a chance to discuss the new optic with Trijicon reps at the NRAAM. At first glance it is easy to see how the SRO could be mistaken for a RMR replacement. The SRO boasts the same black forged aluminum housing as the RMR. The SRO window has very similar coatings and the footprint of the SRO fits current RMR mounts and slide cuts. Continue reading Trijicon SRO First Look from NRAAM
Taking Stock with Kelly McMillan
Magpul Pro 700 Chassis Announced
Just one week prior to the 2018 Shooting Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show) Magpul announced the release of their new Pro 700 Chassis for the Remington 700 rifle. The Pro 700 appears to have addressed all of my criticism of the Hunter 700, although that stock continues to be an excellent value for the entry level precision rifle shooter. The question is, how will the market accept the Pro 700 at this price point in a saturated chassis market.
The highlights include:
- Ambidextrous bedding block (left or right-handed actions)
- Push button folding stock (reversible for left or right folder)
- Tool-less Length of Pull, Buttpad Height/Tilt and Comb Height Adjustment
- Molded, Adjustable for Sweep and Trigger Pull Length
- Large Trigger Guard for Glove Use
- QD Sling Mounting Points
- M-Lok Accessory Slots
- AICS Compatible Magazine Well
- Low-Profile Magazine Release
- Ambidextrous Thumb Shelf
- Length – 32.7” – 34.6” (23.5” when folded)
- Weight – 5.4 lbs
Magpul has set the MSRP at $999.95 and estimated availability in April 2018. Hopefully, we will have more information after we get our hands on the Pro 700 at the SHOT Show.
Franklin Armory “Reformation” SHOT Show AR tease
Franklin Armory dropped a pre-SHOT Show bomb today in the form of a press release. The image in the press release appears to be an AR15 type short barreled rifle, but Franklin Armory claims that this new firearm does not require registration under the National Firearms Act. The firearm appears to have a conventional buttstock and a 11.5″ barrel.
There is not much information available yet, but based on the image and the legal definition of a short barreled rifle, it will be interesting to see how they managed to convince the ATF that this firearm doesn’t fall under the requirements for registration.
My speculation based on the “rifle” features that are visible in the photo, is that they are using a barrel that doesn’t qualify as “rifled”. How they intend to stabilize the projectile and if it will accept standard ammunition is a question that we will have to wait to answer.
You can be sure that we will stop by the Franklin Armory booth at the SHOT Show to bring you more information.
Revic PMR 428 on deck!
Revic has sent us a beta version of their new PMR 428 rifle scope. This scope comes with a host of features that we are used to finding on high-end rifles scopes, but also adds a built-in ballistic computer with a heads-up display.
This is not a “one size fits most” setup like some other scopes on the market. The PMR allows you to program in your rifle’s profile. The scope then samples the atmosphere and computes a real-time ballistic solution based on the position of the turret. What this means is that as you turn the turret on the scope, it will show you what yardage your dope is set for based on the current conditions. You also have the ability to input a wind speed and vector and see your hold on the display.
If your batteries die and you are left without the electronics, you still have a high-quality rifle scope with MOA turrets and a usable MOA based reticle.
I am looking forward to working with this revolutionary new optic and seeing how it stacks up against a traditional optic and Kestrel Weather Meter.
Federal’s new cartridge: .224 Valkyrie
Sources state that the new cartridge that Federal is hinting at will be a bit smaller than the 6mm many were hoping for. It appears that Federal’s new offering will launch the .224 caliber bullet. The question is, will the initial offerings be heavy target/long range bullets, or are we looking at another varmint cartridge? Their marketing so far seems to indicate the former.
Federal is set to spill the beans on 10/16/17, but we will update you as more details leak out.
Ruger Precision Rifle Safety Bulletin
Ruger has identified a problem with Ruger Precision Rifles with the aluminum bolt shroud. Some rifles may experience interference with the firing pin that can cause light strikes. In severe cases, it may cause failure to fire when the trigger is pulled, then cause the rifle to fire when the bolt is touched.
This is not a recall, but Ruger has setup a program where owners of affected rifles may apply for a free replacement bolt shroud. Ruger advises that if you have fired more than 100 rounds through your rifle without any light strikes or other issues, your rifle is “unlikely to be affected” and no further action is necessary.
Possibly affected serial number range is 1800-26274 to 1800-78345 OR 1801-00506 to 1801-30461
Full details on the issue are available in the Safety Bulletin PDF.
TriggrCon 2017
TriggrCon 2017 is a relatively new trade show held in Tacoma, Washington. John Hwang of Defense Marketing Group has assembled some of the best firearms and accessory manufacturers that the Northwest United States has to offer, as well as others from across the country. The show kicked off on Thursday with a industry only range day at a secluded location away from any possible protests (this is western Washington). Friday the show opened at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center for industry members only. Saturday and Sunday are open to the public. While many in the general public take offense to the “industry only” days, it offers a great opportunity for networking and allows media better access to bring coverage to shooters who are not able to physically attend the show.
While walking the isles I heard many exhibitors and attendees comment on how the show has grown from last year. Judging by the turnout this year, I expect that this show will continue to grow and possibly help fill the gap between each SHOT Show (typically held in January). There was a great assortment of innovation with a handful of the odd thrown in. There were even some glimpses of products that won’t be released publicly until the SHOT Show in January. Below is just a handful of the products we encountered. Continue reading TriggrCon 2017