Rifle

The new Pro 700 chassis is Magpul’s solution for Remington 700 short-action barreled receivers. The stock is in production and shipping now.

Today was the first time I got to test the new Ruger 10/22 with the Silent-SR ISB, or Integrally Suppressed Barrel. The lines look like a double barrel gun, but the bottom half is actually a baffle stack. A one-piece barrel and suppressor, it fits any 10/22 takedown model as a replacement. It is one of the most well thought out rimfire suppressors I have seen, Ruger hit it out of the park this time.

The ability to convert existing M4A1 carbines to a PDW, chambered in 300 BLK, offers several appealing advantages.  First, it is far more economical than purchasing complete carbines.  Far more conversion kits can be purchased than complete carbines.  Second, the purchase of a retrofit kit presents fewer issues than building a new carbine.  Finally, should the receiver be damaged, the conversion kit can be fitted to another lower.

I was ready to rock ‘n roll earlier this month when I made my way to central Texas to try my hand at a 1000-yard target with the new Long-Range Rifle (LRR) from Smith & Wesson’s Performance Center and Thompson/Center. Like many gun owners in 2018, my long-range shooting knowledge exceeded my experience. I’ve been geeking out about D.O.P.E. cards, bullet trajectories, and MIL vs. MOA for years, but I hadn’t had many chances to pull the trigger.

Size matters, but when it comes to combat-ready firearms, smaller is often better. Compact weapons allow for easy maneuvering in tight spaces, which is an especially useful attribute in a home-defense firearm. Now, thanks to a favorable ruling from the ATF, Springfield has introduced two pistol-length versions of their popular Saint AR-15: the .556 and, more recently, a 300 Blackout model.

The origin story is foundational dogma for gun nerds like us. George Sullivan incorporated the ArmaLite Corporation in 1954 as a tiny little subsidiary of the Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corporation. Operating out of a modest machine shop in Hollywood, California, Sullivan envisioned ArmaLite as a think tank to explore cutting-edge concepts in small arms. Their first serious effort was a small takedown survival rifle intended for use by downed military aircrew.

The .30 M-1 Carbine was used by the U.S. Military in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. The carbine was supplied to allied forces and hung around long after Vietnam. I encountered the M-1 carbine in service with the Bolivian UMOPAR counter-drug police in the 1990s. These fun guns remain popular and effective for civilians today.

Last year, I got my first experience with the Browning X-Bolt, using a Hell’s Canyon model in 6.5 Creedmore. I came away very impressed, my respect for the Browning name rekindled. They got a lot right with this model, from the trigger to the muzzle brake. So when the chance popped up to take a look at the X-bolt Pro in 300 Winchester Magnum, I hopped on it.

If the AR-15 is America’s most popular rifle, the Ruger 10/22 might be its most beloved. Thousands, probably millions, of youngsters have cut their teeth on the little rimfire, and its popularity shows no signs of slowing down. Whether you’re building a precision rifle or a budget squirrel hunter, Brownell’s new BRN-22 is a great place to start your 10/22 build.