Dave Bahde

While it was once possible to get into a solid American-made 1911 for around $500.00 all day long, that number has almost doubled in many cases. If you are looking for some of the most popular features you may get closer to twice even that. Move up to semi-customs and full customs and the price can reach the stratosphere. For all but a few it’s just too much, prompting a return to basics, and more than a few companies are starting to do just that, including Doublestar.

The AR-10 PRC 260 in .260 Remington gives precision rifle shooters a high-end rifle that can accurately deliver this capable cartridge both suppressed and unsuppressed. It is expensive, but for those who want everything this has to give, it is worth the price.

Savage is well-known for producing rifles that outperform their price points. In fact, they often can outshoot rifles that cost twice as much or more. I recently had a chance to try out the 10 BA Stealth, which is designed to be lightweight, simple, and above all accurate.

This project took awhile to put together, but it was worth it. Overall weight is minimal; almost light for a precision rifle. If you are looking for a truly precision rifle, then give the Surgeon Scalpel a solid look. If you want to lighten it up, then a Proof Research barrel should be your first upgrade.

DoubleStar Corporation is offering a .308 AR with custom grade features, but at a production rifle price point. From its Wilson air gauged barrel to its ACE Hammer stock, this one is ready to perform.

The commander-sized No. 3 FRAG pistol from Guncrafter Industries brings some heavy-duty firepower to an EDC-ready 1911 pistol.

EraThr3 delivers a fresh take on “tactical” firearms. It makes guns that are fun and effective, and the Grunt is a great example of this. It is ultralight at 4.7 pounds and just plain looks cool.

the DRD Tactical Kivaari .338 Lapua Magnum is a long-range, semi-automatic, AR-based rifle that can be taken down in moments and placed inside a portable case.

The Longslide 10mm 1911 from Republic Forge makes for not only great close-range performance but can also be pushed out to 100 yards distance due to its power and accuracy.