Last week we got the opportunity to attend an event hosted by Savage Firearms, Federal Ammunition, and Bushnell Optics. We shot a mountain of ammunition around the T-Diamond Ranch in Texas, engaging targets from 10 yards all the way to 1,620. It was a great opportunity to get hands on with some of the new toys being released this year, and to pick the stuff for review that our readers are going to want to know more about.
Clay Martin is a retired Marine and Green Beret, having served with distinction in the 3rd Special Forces Group. A multi-service, multi-decade sniper, he’s also a seasoned 3-Gun competitor and a Master-ranked shooter in USPSA Production. When he’s not writing about firearms and tactics, Clay is the author of the novel Last Son of The War God, a gritty story about dispensing justice the hard way. Follow him on Twitter @offthe_res or visit his website at Off-The-Reservation.com.
Experience:
– U.S. Marine Corps Infantry, Scout/Sniper, and Recon Marine
– U.S. Army Green Beret, 3rd Special Forces Group (ODA Comms SGT, Intel SGT, SFAUC Instructor)
– Competitive Shooter – Master-ranked in USPSA Production, experienced 3-Gun competitor
– Tactical Instructor – Extensive background in teaching carbine, pistol, CQB, and survival skills
– Author – Fiction and non-fiction works on warfare, survival, and American resilience
– 2A Advocate – Defender of the Constitution and vocal proponent of gun rights
– Outdoorsman – Idaho-based hunter, adventurer, and father of feral children and dogs
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Clay on the Road: Savage, Federal and Bushnell Writer’s Event
Published: May 31, 2017 { 2 comments }
Gunfighter Tip of the Week: DIY Chest Rig for Suppressed Pistol
Published: May 26, 2017 { 9 comments }The only problem with a suppressed pistol is carrying it. Today we are going to solve that problem.
Gunfighter Tip of the Week: Shirt Modification to Improve Draw Stroke
Published: May 19, 2017 { 20 comments }Clay shows you how to modify your shirt to ensure that it doesn’t get in the way when you go to draw your gun.
A Street-Legal Spec Ops SAW? The FN M249S Para – Full Review.
Published: May 17, 2017 { 29 comments }Do you need an $8,500, 16-pound semi-auto 5.56? Of course you do! Read on to learn more about the new FN M249S Para that is part of the company’s Military Collector Series line of products.
Quick Draw Your AR? Hornady’s RAPID Safe AR Wall Lock – Hands On Review.
Published: May 16, 2017 { 7 comments }This week, I got my hands on the new Hornady RAPID Safe AR Wall Lock. A pretty ingenious design, the safe basically covers over the important parts of an AR, like the safety, trigger, and chamber, with a cutout area for optics.
Red Dot Pistol Shoot-Off: Clay Picks the Best Optics-Ready 9mm
Published: May 12, 2017 { 34 comments }In the interest of a look toward the future, we decided to have a shoot-off of some of the most popular brands of 9mm pistol with a factory red dot mount option. There can be only one! So, let’s get them out on the range and in the hands of some different shooters and see what comes out on top.
Clay Tests Bushnell’s Smartphone-Compatible Elite 1 Mile CONX Rangefinder & 1-6.5X SMRS
Published: May 9, 2017 { 3 comments }This week I got a chance to take a quick look at two fantastic products from Bushnell. How am I already so excited in the pants for these products, when I have had them less than a week? Easy. These aren’t completely new. They are updated models of two products I have actually been running for years. Bushnell has really come up in the world with the Elite Tactical line, and they represent arguably the best buy in optics today.
Clay: Getting Ready for Your First USPSA Match
Published: May 4, 2017 { 11 comments }One of the most fun things you can do with a pistol is shoot a competitive match. There are many flavors in this regard and, eventually, you will find the one that suits you best.
It’s Hammer Time! Springfield’s New 9mm XD-E – Full Review.
Published: April 29, 2017 { 49 comments }Springfield Armory has taken their mastery of small gun ergonomics in a new direction with the release of the XD-E. The E stands for external hammer, which is a feature many people look for in a carry gun. If you are in the “don’t trust strikers” crowd, this gun was absolutely made for you.
A 3.5-Inch Group at 850 Yards? Tikka’s Amazing T3X TAC A1 6.5 – Full Review.
Published: April 18, 2017 { 82 comments }Normally, I am a buy American kind of guy. I drive a Ford truck, I drink Coors, and go out of my way to buy work boots made in the USA. Sometimes, however, we want something a little bit exotic. And the Finnish Tikka T3X TAC A1 is quite possibly the most impressive rifle I have ever picked up. And I have shot a couple rifles in my day.