Tactical

I’ve always dreamt of going on a black bear hunt. Go ahead, admit it … bet you have too?

When I finally got invited I couldn’t figure out what gun I wanted to take. I’ve always been into lever guns — but was it the right choice? I needed something light, for climbing trees, for getting into shooting positions fast, that sort of thing. I needed something with enough accuracy and power to handle a black bear, but still quick enough for follow up shots. It’s the sort of quandary most shooters love to get into. “Oh darn, I gotta’ decide on what new gun I need to buy!”

AR specialist CMMG is launching a new series of pistols and short-barreled rifle-pattern AR-15s with suppression in mind.

SIG’s flagship pistol was tested against several other very recent offerings including the Beretta APX, Canik TP9 SF and Gen 5 Glock 17.

The action is a miniaturized Mauser action, something CZ does exceedingly well. There are a lot of Mauser’s in a huge variety of calibers floating the Earth, and last I heard they tend to work. The “micro action” is based on a 223 length, though it is available in several calibers. My test sample of the CZ 527 Carbine Rustic is chambered in 7.62×39, and also available in 223.

Competing in the Extreme Tough Man Division of the Mammoth Sniper Challenge is a test of both shooter and gear. This 3-day event held each January requires competitors to carry all their gear 25+ miles between stages and campsites, camp out, and engage precision rifle targets out to 800+ yards. Many of the lessons learned are applicable to hunting and backcountry scenarios. Here are a few of those I discovered over the years.

Developing and eventually truing your ballistic data is going to start at the zero range. Getting a solid zero for the rifle is essential.  I prefer a 100 yard zero for my precision rifles because at that short of a range the environment is going to have a negligible effect on the bullet.

The Blac-Rac 1070 weapon retention system will secure a weapon anywhere you need to place one. They have attachments for cars (ceiling or upright), helicopters, ATVs, UTVs, and, motorcycles, and, of course, bicycles. Yes, you can also get attachments for in-the-home use as well. 

The Hornady RAPID SAFE AR GUNLOCKER offers a security solution for our mid-sized long guns. It is designed to support carbine length firearms up to 40.5 inches long. The size of this unit supports all of my AR platform firearms, folding stock precision rifles, and my over/ under shotguns when broken down. To put it plainly, the Gunlocker is simply a great idea that is way overdue.

I have retained our original 870 DM, and I am back today with a follow-up report. The original review is here, and I am happy to say I can stand behind this one. The 870 DM remains the best change to shotguns since the original model 870 was introduced back in 1951.