Inside Firearms July 2023

JULY 2023 www.insidefirearms.com

july 2023 | insidefirearms.com | 3 july 2023 | contents Inside the Industry First Round With Tenacity & Faith By Patrick Meitin New & Notable Firearm products with strong sales potential Industry News The latest on news, events, and people in the firearms industry Beyond the Sale Manufacturers that give back Radcolube CLP 3IN1 Industry 5Q Five Questions with Rothco People Power of Participation Firearms Industry Members Participating in the Sport Tagua Gunleather Attractive Quality at an Attractive Price By Michaelean Pike Market Trends Shop Safety Fortress Display By Patrick Meitin Pistol Report EAA Girsan MC 14T Tip-Up Pistol in 380 ACP By Patrick Meitin The Rifles Modern Big Game Hunters Want By Patrick Sweeney Gear Report Vantac Direct Access Defense System (D.A.D.S.) AR/M4 Stock System By Patrick Meitin Rifle Report Best of the West ALTOPO Rifle System By Patrick Meitin Essential Range Gear By Gary Lewis 4 8 10 42 58 14 16 26 28 30 40 46 48 16 14 30 28 8 40 46 42

inside the industry | first round With Tenacity & Faith L aunching Inside Firearms came with multiple hurdles. Or maybe it was just bad timing… Hot on the heels of a global pandemic, the largest of these tribulations were paper shortages triggered by resulting supply-chain issues. Added to our headaches, mounting inflation saw printing costs skyrocket, not just for this magazine but our well established Inside Archery. After a few more hurdles and some sputtering, we are finally catching our rhythm this year. It would be dishonest if I were not to admit print magazines exist only by the good graces of its advertisers. Selling ad space in a new, and then unproven, title proved a serious challenge. But we remained undaunted, as we knew we had something other titles in this space could not match—large among those the personal touch absent from “Corporate America” magazines. Our approach had been proven with Inside Archery, the unequivocal leader in the archery trade arena. A deep belief in our formula, and our personal passion for the shooting sports, left us confident in success. Obviously I’m a bit biased, but much of that success hinges on our ability to work intimately with every advertiser to ensure they get exactly what they want and need to help them thrive. As trite as it may sound, we care deeply about each one of our advertisers. They are more than numbers for us. They represent the personal relationships resulting in the in-depth, hard-hitting and exclusive content that makes Inside Archery, and now Inside Firearms, the most informative and deep-dive content in the trade realm. Which is to say, reading Inside Firearms makes our readers more informed owners, managers, or sales associates, while also offering engaging insight into what consumers want, and what has helped successful shooting-sports companies excel in a highly-competitive atmosphere. From our signature Cover Stories to our Leading Manufactures and Giving Back columns to the news that directly affects doing business to exhaustive equipment features and even the ability to connect the industry through Power of Participation, Inside Firearms’ success was all but assured. We have arrived, and in just four issues are seeing some of the country’s largest manufacturers and distributors of all things firearms related believe in us and come into the fold. We do not take this honor lightly. We will continue to serve our advertisers to the best of our ability, while not losing sight of the fact we must offer readers something valuable, something informative, something useful to their continued commercial success, and ultimately something entertaining and uplifting. We are Inside Firearms and we are here to stay. Patrick Meitin, Executive Editor

Inside Firearms is a publication of Apollo Creative Inc Printed in the USA. Publisher Apollo Creative Inc Owners • Stephen Mack | Patrick Meitin | Ed Rother Executive Editor Patrick Meitin • [email protected] Associate Editor Michaelean Pike • [email protected] Copy Editor Kat Ainsworth Stevens • [email protected] Online Editor Stephen Mack • [email protected] Contributors Gary Lewis | Michaelean Pike | Patrick Sweeney Sales & Marketing Stephen Mack • [email protected] • 814.341.9313 Aaron Buehler • [email protected] • 616.520.3244 Design & Production ER Graphics / Ed Rother • [email protected] Social Media Manager Jason Ashe Video Editor Marc Balistreri Account Manager Pam Ludlam • [email protected] Subscription Services & Change of Address: Inside Firearms Circulation Department Inside Firearms, PO Box 986, Levittown, PA 19055-9998 Phone: 844.862.9286 • Fax: 888.965.9961 [email protected] Publication Office Inside Firearms / Apollo Creative Inc P.O. Box 15827, Colorado Springs, CO 80935 Phone: 719.495.9999 • www.InsideFirearms.com Inside Firearms Copyright © 2023 Apollo Crreative Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. Inside Firearms is a registered U.S. trademark of Apollo Creative Inc. Opinions expressed in by-lined articles or columns are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, the magazine or its staff. Submission Guidelines: Apollo Creative Inc and Inside Firearms magazine assume no responsibility for unsolicited editorial, photography or art submissions. Contributors submitting articles, photos or art do so at their own risk. Material will not be returned without a selfaddressed envelope with sufficient postage. No contract, agreement, term or condition provided by any contributor shall be binding on Apollo Creative Inc unless it is signed and returned by the Editor. Firearms and hunting are inherently dangerous activities. Improper use of hunting or firearms equipment may cause serious injury or death. Always follow state and local hunting safety rules, and get required permits or licenses before hunting. Apollo Creative Inc uses reasonable efforts to include accurate and up-to-date information in our publications; however, we do not make any warranties or representations as to accuracy or completeness. All information in this magazine is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind. Apollo Creative Inc is not responsible for researching and investigating the accuracy of the contents of stories or advertisements published in this magazine. Readers use the information in this magazine at their own risk. Apollo Creative Inc assumes no liability for any errors or omissions in the content of this magazine, or arising from use by any person of the information in this magazine.

8 | inside firearms | july 2023 market trends | new & notable Hammer Targets Hammer Targets’ portable system holds a 10-by-8-by1.75-inch swiveling gong cut from 0.375-inch AR500 steel and set on a shock absorbing neck of coldrolled steel. The 0.5-inch support post can be driven into nearly any ground with the sliding vertical/cylindrical 3.5-by-6.75-inch, 3.25-pound hammer driver. A 1/8-inch-thick steel fin prevents spinning. The modular target system is jointed to allow disassembly for easy transport or storage, sections held together by stout R-pins. An R-pin secures the sliding driver during transport to prevent pinched fingers. The assembled target weighs 21.5 pounds and takes only minutes to deploy. The 20-degree angled plate deflects bullets downward for added safety, allowing shooting non-magnum handguns at 12 yards, magnum handguns at 25 yards, non-magnum rifles at 50-100 yards, magnum rifles at 200-300 yards, and shotgun slugs at 50 yards. Find more info at hammertargets.com. Starline Brass Starline Brass has added the 6mm ARC to the company’s growing lineup of high-quality brass options. Starline’s 6mm ARC brass is produced with the same demanding quality control standards for which all of its products are known for. The 6mm ARC, or Advanced Rifle Cartridge, is essentially a shortened 6.5 Grendel necked down to 6mm. It offers the ability to load high BC bullets to magazine length in AR-style rifles or “mini-action” bolt guns. The efficient little cartridge is an excellent choice for long range and target work, including the versatility to shoot light varmint bullets or handle heavier hunting bullets suitable for deer or wild hogs. The 6mm ARC makes an excellent choice for those looking for a low recoil, flexible option in AR and bolt-action rifles. New rifles are now available from several makers in AR, bolt actions and single-shot rifles and pistols. Find more info at starlinebrass.com. Zeta Industries The new Zeta6 K-PAK2 from Zeta Industries offers a refinement of the company’s unique and revolutionary speed loader system for flip-out cylinder revolvers. The K-PAK2 is configurable for either left- or right-hand reloading of many popular revolver models, and includes soft rubber construction that is comfortable to carry in a pants pocket. They are also much more affordable than rigid metal or molded-plastic options. The K-PAK2 allows shooters to quickly reload three and then three rounds in most six-shot K-Frame style revolvers. The K-PAK2 offers the correct spacing to ensure precise cartridge placement while loading most six-shot K-Frames models, including those from Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Colt, Kimber and Taurus. Two K-PAK2 speed loaders can be nested together to keep 12 rounds at the ready for when they are needed most. Dealers inquiries are welcomed. Find more info at zetasix.com. TargetTackTM Sighting in rifle scopes, testing loads, and off-season rifle or handgun practice typically involve paper or vinyl targets. This commonly includes a cardboard, plastic or wood-frame backstop and troublesome tape or stapleguns to hold targets. TargetTack offers a better, more efficient way. Patent Pending TargetTacks are an affordable and reusable solution that makes attaching targets to cardboard, plastic or plywood target stands faster and easier. The sturdy, three-edged, serrated TargetTack includes a flat-faced, low-profile head for securely anchoring target corners, the added eyelet also perfect for attaching wind flags. They are made to last for years and minimize ricochets often seen with steel pins or clamps. They are offered in 1-inch ideal for cardboard, plastic, or plywood (using predrilled holes), or 3-inch, which are perfect for foam or fiber crossbow/archery targets. An 8 Piece Variety Pack including four of each is also available, as well as bulk purchases for ranges. Find more info at targettackllc.com. KOR Technik KOR VRS Case Inserts, available in Large (5013S-3) and Medium (3525s-3) to fit into popular long gun hard cases, eliminate the need for custom-cut foam liners. KOR VRC technology allows using existing gun cases while providing a firmer and more secure fit adjustable to any firearm shape or attached optic, as well as accessories like bipods, ammo boxes, or detachable magazines. The system allows a single case to serve all firearm needs, saving storage space and money. Patented VRS universal technology replaces the foam bedding layer of compatible hard cases, and weighs around 5 ½ pounds. The key is KOR’s Vacuum Rigidizing Structure (VRS), a “pillow” of tough mil-spec textile filled with rigidizing beads. The integrated two-way valve, adaptor kit and separate pump allows increasing/ decreasing the rigidity of the insert for a custom fit. A patch kit is also provided. Find more info at kortechnik.com. InfiRay Outdoor The RICO Hybrid 50mm fuses the capabilities of a thermal clip-on and a thermal weapon sight to create a new breed of thermal device. This new Hybrid breed provides never-before-seen versatility and performance boasting a 2,400 yard detection range as a dedicated thermal sight or an inline clip-on sight compatible with day optics up to 10x. The combination of the Hybrid’s low-distortion orthoscopic eyepiece paired with a 1.03-inch 2560x1920 UHD display allows for an extra-large sight picture with edge to edge clarity. The Hybrid’s generous sight picture offers comfortable viewing as a dedicated sight, while still maintaining the pixel density and resolution for use as a clip-on optic. The Hybrid also unlocks advanced new features such as compatibility with a 2,000 yard laser rangefinder, a custom reticle generator, Bluetooth, and an onboard ballistic solver, with an MSRP of $6,999.00. Find more info at irayusa.com.

ZERUST® Products ZERUST®/EXCOR® Vapor Capsules are compact and portable blocks containing patented VCI technology. The Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor Technology (VCI) emitter can be used to protect metal surfaces in any tight area, which makes them perfect for gun safes or storage closets. Vapor Capsules provide targeted corrosion protection in any enclosed space, and additional protection to metals when used in conjunction with ZERUST VCI packaging applications. ZERUST capsules are quick and super-easy to deploy. Simply peel back the protective paper from the adhesive tape and install it securely in the desired location. Next, tightly seal the enclosure to trap protective vapor inside. Metals will be protected from rust and tarnishing for one to two years, depending on the capsule model selected and environment. Six sizes are offered, protecting areas from 1 to 6 square feet. Find more info at zerust.com. Kick’s Industries Kick's Industries' newest Optima HP Smoke Titanium 12-guage choke tubes are 40 percent lighter, but are just as strong as the company’s steel tubes. The newest versions are made to be compatible with Optima HP, Invector Plus, Mobil and Kreighoff thread patterns, and are offered in Negative, Skeet, Cylinder, Improved Cylinder, Light Modified, Modified, Improved Modified, Light Full and Full chokes with restrictions from minus .005- to .035-inch. These are extended chokes with a conical/parallel internal configuration and holding diagonal ports to help reduce recoil. They can be easily installed by finger tightening, so require no special wrenches or tools to install or change. The chokes measure 4 9/32 inches long, 1 17/32 inches comprising the ported section, 2.0625 inches extending into the barrel, and including a standard bore size of .733-inch. They are proudly made in the USA. Find more info at kicks-ind.com. Black Hills Ammunition Black Hills Ammunition is a reliable source for loads handcrafted for shooters who demand highly dependable, accurate and performance-driven rounds designed for particular purposes. This has made the company’s defensive and training handgun ammunition among the most sought after in the shooting sports. A couple of the latest offerings from Black Hills Ammunition include a pair of .380 Auto loads tailored for self-defense and training—each tested in a typical 3.25-inch barrel. The first is a 90-grain jacketed hollow point defensive load that delivers 180 foot pounds of energy at 950 fps; the second a 100-grain FMJ training load hitting with 160 foot pounds of energy at 850 fps. New loads are also offered in 32 H&R Magnum, 9mm Luger (six options), 38 Special (two options), 357 Magnum (two options), 40 S&W (three options), 44 Magnum (two options) and 45 ACP (six options). Find more info at black-hills.com.

10 | inside firearms | july 2023 inside the industry | industry news KOR Supports Disabled Veterans with Donation to Extreme Adventures Long-Range Shooting Team KOR, known for inventing and patenting the only universal gun storage transportation system, the VRS (Vacuum Rigidizing Structure), is proud to support the Extreme Adventures Long-Range Shooting Team with the donation of a KOR 5R Universal Firearms Transportation System. Founded by retired, military-disabled veteran Toby Prudhomme, Extreme Adventures is a 501(c)(19) nonprofit offering outdoor experiences and adventures to disabled veterans and their families. “An important pillar of the KOR mission is supporting our U.S. veterans and showing our appreciation for their service and many sacrifices,” said G.P. Searle, Founder of KOR. “Extreme Adventures gives disabled veterans recreational and social opportunities that foster confidence, friendships, and memories, and we are proud to back them while they bring enjoyment to the lives of those who fought for the freedoms we enjoy.” According to Prudhomme, “I’m an amputee myself, and Extreme Adventures shows other veterans that if a one-legged person can do it, anyone can. With help from people like G.P. and KOR, we get folks involved in something that gets them off the couch, requires discipline, and helps them realize anything is possible. “Last year, we provided veterans with antelope hunts in Wyoming, moose hunts in Idaho, and elk hunts in Montana,” said Prudhomme. “Today, we’re putting together a disabled veteran’s competitive Extreme Long Range (ELR) shooting team, and KOR stepped up to help us.” KOR’s VRS gun case inserts offer endless customization options for transporting gear by replacing the bottom layer of foam. The insert secures guns and gear by conforming to the contents and delivering NRA Partners with NAFWS to Deliver Free Online Hunter Education The National Rifle Association’s free, award-winning hunter education online course is now available to any federally recognized Native American tribe, which includes tribal members of the Native American Fish & Wildlife Society. This is the latest addition as NRA works to make the course available to hunters in all 50 states. Since inception of the program in 2017, NRA has provided nearly 150,000 students free online hunter education, fostering the interest and expansion of new hunters and shooters across the country. The Native American Fish & Wildlife Society (NAFWS) is a national tribal organization incorporated in 1983 to develop a national communications network for the exchange of information and management techniques related to self-determined tribal fish and wildlife management. "We express our gratitude to the National Rifle Association for extending their free online hunter education program to our individual and tribal members of the Native American Fish & Wildlife Society (NAFWS),” said Don Reiter, president of the organization. “This significant step forward not only enhances tribal hunting sovereignty but also acknowledges the importance of recognizing and supporting Native American hunters." The Native American Fish & Wildlife Society joins Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia as states that accept NRA hunter education as a prerequisite for hunting licensure. The NAFWS NRA Hunter Education online course can be accessed at TRIBESHE.org. “The NRA developed this free online course with one main goal in mind: to make it easier for new hunters to get into the field,” a tailor made carrying solution for virtually any long gun. VRS provides a versatile option in a single product that saves time, money, and storage space. “The KOR VRS insert is a game-changer for our shooting team and me as a competitor,” Prudhomme said. “It eliminates the headache of multiple cases and foam cut-outs for various shooting activities. I don’t need to store different foam inserts or modular foam pieces for the PRS matches, ELR matches, and 3-Gun matches I shoot or when I travel into the field for a hunt,” he said. Extreme Adventures is a 501(c) (19) Veteran’s non-profit organization founded to enhance the lives of America’s Veterans through recreational and social opportunities that reengage them with the activities they love and unite them with people who share similar backgrounds and experiences. Traditional American pastimes like hunting, fishing, and sport shooting reunite them with the activities they love and connect them with fellow veterans. To donate and to learn more visit xtremeadventures.org. KOR develops cutting-edge technology to solve transportation and storage systems for outdoor enthusiasts. The patented KOR Vacuum Rigidizing Structure provides a reusable, environmentally friendly option for transporting guns, optics, and gear. KOR is a proud American small business in Arizona. KOR’s values of integrity, craftsmanship, conservation, and education make us different. We donate a percentage of gross sales to wildlife conservation, education, and supporting our Veterans. KOR is committed to developing and strengthening a community of like-minded, proactive sportsmen and women. | TO LEARN MORE ABOUT KOR AND THE INNOVATIVE VRS UNIVERSAL GUN CASE INSERTS, VISIT KORCASES.COM. Continued on Page 12

12 | inside firearms | july 2023 inside the industry | industry news said Joseph P. DeBergalis, Jr., executive director of NRA General Operations. “We are pleased to partner with the Native American Fish & Wildlife Society to bring this no-cost program to all their tribal members. NRA has been and will continue to be the leader in providing the very best hunter education and training in the country.” All of this instruction is available at students’ fingertips, whenever and wherever they are able to complete it. Removing the sometimes-prohibitive cost barrier of other online courses, the NRA Online Hunter Education course is available completely free of charge, encouraging new hunters to take the first step and making it easier for seasoned hunters to revisit the material. | TO TAKE THE NRA HUNTER EDUCATION ONLINE COURSE OR LEARN MORE, VISIT NRAHE.ORG. MidwayUSA Foundation Provides $900,000 in Range Development Grants The MidwayUSA Foundation has provided cash grants for the third year in a row to help ranges across the country expand and encourage more youth shooting sports activities. This year, $900,000 was awarded to 45 recipients. These grants ensure our country’s ranges are able to support our youth with the best shooting experience possible. This is just one of the many programs that MidwayUSA Foundation offers to provide funds to grow and sustain youth shooting sports. Since this grant program’s inception, some funded improvements have included creating bigger and better parking areas to allow a range to host larger youth events, handicap accessibility for ease of athletes and spectators, the addition of sporting clays courses to offer youth shooters another way to compete, and more. MidwayUSA Foundation’s Range Development grant program ensures that the future of youth shooting sports continues to progress. Since 2021, the Foundation has awarded 122 grants across the country totaling $2,150,000 for range improvements. To see the full list of MidwayUSA Foundation Range Development grant recipients, visit midwayusafoundation.org/grants/ Applications for special purpose grants, like Range Development and Coach Training, will be accepted annually and applicants must hold an endowment with MidwayUSA Foundation to apply. Each of these are competitive grant programs. Youth shooting teams and organizations interested in improving their respective range should work closely with that range to complete the grant application. The MidwayUSA Foundation is a 501(c) (3) public charity working to sustain and grow youth shooting sports by providing long-term funding to youth shooting teams. Every donation made is tax-deductible and allows the Foundation to assist in expanding and enhancing the leadership skills, confidence, and discipline of today's youth through shooting sports activities. The Foundation supports all shooting disciplines. | FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW THE MIDWAYUSA FOUNDATION IS CHANGING THE FUTURE OF YOUTH SHOOTING SPORTS, PLEASE VISIT MIDWAYUSAFOUNDATION.ORG OR CALL (877) 375-4570. Bushnell Celebrates 75 Years of Optics Built for the Pursuit Iconic optics brand Bushnell is proud to announce its 75th anniversary of developing innovative, affordable, and high-quality optics that enhance the pursuit of outdoor enthusiasts and professionals. For three-quarters of a century Bushnell has been at the forefront of designing products that are “Built for the Pursuit,” whether discussing hunting, shooting, birdwatching, or any other outdoor passion. Since its founding in 1948, Bushnell has remained committed to its mission of providing top-notch options that deliver exceptional performance without breaking the bank. Over the years the brand has earned a reputation for its dedication to quality, reliability and precision, making it the go-to choice for those seeking to experience life through a new lens. From its humble beginning Bushnell has evolved into a global leader in the optics industry. Known for decades for its dependable riflescopes and binoculars, Bushnell’s success can also be attributed to its patented technologies that helped reshape the industry. The brand’s market leading innovations such as RainGuard HD water-repellant lens coating, EXO Barrier lens protection and ARC (Angle Range Compensation) technology have set new standards in optics while earning consumer trust. In addition to its focus on technology, Bushnell takes great pride in its partnerships with renowned outdoor enthusiasts and experts who share the brand’s passion for the pursuit. Prominent Bushnell ambassadors such as Michael Waddell and the Bone Collectors, acclaimed shooters KC Eusebio and Jessie Harrison and legendary hunters Will and Jimmy Primos have relied on Bushnell optics to achieve their remarkable feats and inspire others to follow in their footsteps. Their expertise and feedback, along with that of many others, has been invaluable in reshaping the development of Bushnell’s products. “The 75th anniversary is a significant milestone for Bushnell, and we are incredibly proud of our journey so far,” said Jim Bruno, President of Vista Outdoor Hunting and Shooting Accessories. “Our success can be attributed to our loyal customers, dedicated employees, and unwavering commitment to delivering superior optics that are built for your pursuit. We are grateful for the trust they have placed in us and look forward to many more years of innovation and excellence.” To celebrate its 75th anniversary, Bushnell will be launching a variety of contests, social campaigns, and retail activations that pay homage to the brand’s rich heritage. Fans are encouraged to follow along on Bushnell.com, Facebook and Instagram as the brand embarks on its next chapter of bringing to market new products that continue to exceed the expectations and redefine industry standards around the globe. Continued from Page 10

14 | inside firearms | july 2023 people Gary Lewis • Missouri Whitetail Freelance Writer/TV Host, Frontier Unlimited Firearm ■ Nosler Model 21 Cartridge ■ 27 Nosler Ammo ■ Nosler AccuBond Sight/Optic ■ Vortex Optics Rings/Base ■ Warne Scope Mounts Other ■ SIG Sauer Rangefinder and Binocular Jacob Wilcox • South Africa Kudu Owner, RMR Bullets Firearm ■ Seekins Havak, TriggerTech Cartridge ■ 6.5 SAUM Diamond Trigger, XLR Element Stock Optics ■ Athalon Cronus Ammo Reload ■ 127 Barnes LRX/Retumbo Rings/Base ■ Precision Hardcore Other ■ Strelok Pro App Gear Picatinny Rail/Warne Rings Power Participation The of Firearms Industry Members Participating in the Sport SUBMIT YOUR PHOTO: Visit insidefirearms.com/pop or mail a color image with your name, address, where the animal was taken, and firearm gear used—both manufacturer and model— to Inside Firearms Power of Participation, P.O. Box 15827, Colorado Springs, CO 80935.

july 2023 | insidefirearms.com | 15 Patrick Meitin • Texas Bobcat Executive Editor, Inside Firearms Firearm ■ Alexander Arms Highlander Pistol Cartridge ■ 300 AAC Blackout Ammo ■ Hornady Subsonic Sight/Optics ■ Sig Sauer ECHO1 Other ■ Rebel Silencers SOS Hunter Other ■ Streamlight TLR-1 weapons light C. Dustin Bomley • Rocky Mountain Elk General Manager, Alpine Ind. Mfg./Precision Hardcore Gear Firearm ■ Hells Canyon Ammo ■ Reloaded 200-grain Armory Carbon Killer Rifle Nosler Accubond/ Peterson Cartridge ■ 300 PRC Brass/ H-1000 powder Other: ■ Atlas Bipod Rings/Base: ■ Bobro Engineering Precision Hardcore Gear Optics: ■ Nightforce .308-caliber reloading funnel NXS 3-15x50mm Joe Michaletz • Dall Sheep Owner/CEO, Best of the West/Huskemaw Optics Firearm ■ Best of the West Rifle System Cartridge ■ 6.5 PRC Ammo ■ Hornaday 147 gr. ELD Match BOTW Custom Ammo Optics ■ Huskemaw 5-20x50mm Tactical Hunter Dean Capuano • Kansas Whitetail Director of Communications, Swarovski Optik Firearm ■ Mossberg Patriot Long Range Hunter Cartridge ■ 7mm PRC Ammo ■ Hornady Sight/Optic ■ Swarovski Z5 3.5-18x44mm Rings/Base ■ Talley

16 | inside firearms | july 2023 Tagua Gunleather Attractive Quality at an Attractive Price In this era of mass production, small, independent craftsmen cannot produce high-quality products at scale. Meanwhile, largescale factories churning out machinemade goods can’t replicate the attention to detail, rugged durability and unique character that artisans are capable of producing. Enter Tagua Gunleather. Tagua bridges the gap between handcrafted quality on one side and efficient operation on the other, delivering quality leather handgun holsters at a price working-class gun owners can afford. “We’re Gucci quality at Banana Republic prices,” Marcelo Mongelos, founder and director of research and development, said when I asked what sets Tagua’s holsters apart from the competition. BY MICHAELEAN PIKE

TOP TO BOTTOM: Luis Kelleman, founder and CEO Marcelo Mongelos, founder and director of research and development Nelson Kelleman, commercial director july 2023 | insidefirearms.com | 17

18 | inside firearms | july 2023 “It’s all about the quality and the price,” agreed Nelson Kelleman, the company’s commercial director. “Everything we do here is done manually. It’s all hand-crafted. The only machine we use is one that cuts the leather. Everything else is done by hand.” At Tagua, it’s that simple: Produce the highestquality holsters they can using premium leather and artisanal methods—without a premium price tag. Retailers and consumers have taken notice. Since its inception in 2005, the company has grown year over year, and is now looking to expand into new markets. And it all started when two young men had a dream. One Store At A Time “In a way, this is a true American dream,” Marcelo said. Originally from Paraguay, Marcelo and his friend Luis Kelleman started Tagua with little more than an idea, a car and a willingness to work hard. Marcelo graduated from high school in Paraguay, then spent a year in California working on his English before he moved to Florida to attend the University of Miami. “After I graduated, I came back to Paraguay,”

july 2023 | insidefirearms.com | 19 he said. “I had a few ventures going on. I started two restaurants. Then I was assaulted with a gun. In those times, my country was unstable. So my father hired a bodyguard. The bodyguard was the one who asked me if I could buy him a holster. The holsters didn’t seem hard to make, and I realized I could do that. I started looking for people who could actually make it for us. We started with one guy, then two guys. Little by little we started growing.” Initially, Marcelo tried making shotgun cases and holsters, but he wasn’t happy with the quality of the shotgun cases. He also saw that the market for holsters was larger. Focusing his efforts on leather handgun holsters, he approached Luis, who had stayed in the United States and landed a job working in a bank. “I went to Luis with this idea of selling holsters,” he said. “We started Googling. We would just Google gun stores in Miami. Then we went store by store showing them our gun holsters, and we saw that people liked the price, liked the quality. After that we sat down, and Luis asked me if I thought he should quit his bank job. I said yes. That’s when we started working full-time on Tagua.” Marcelo returned to Paraguay to ramp up production, and the company shipped its first 100 units. Once the two young men had visited all the gun shops in Miami, they expanded their Google search to other areas of Florida. Driving Luis’s car, they visited store after store, showing their holsters to owners and trying to get orders. “There were times when Luis and I would go into a store and feel like we were going to be millionaires,” Marcelo recalled with a chuckle. “Then we’d go into the next store and think we were going to go bankrupt. It all depended on what the store owner told us. We would come out of a store feeling happy or broke. It all came down to how each visit went.” The company’s success speaks to both the quality of the products themselves

20 and the grit of the Tagua team. After all, there was no fancy marketing campaign to drive sales, no big celebrity endorsements or splashy magazine ads. It was just Marcelo and Luis showing gun store owners what they could produce. And it wasn’t always easy. “Most of our competition says ‘Proudly Made in the USA,’” Marcelo said. “Our holsters are American-made products, but some stores didn’t want to buy them because they weren’t made in the USA. And coming from South America, without good English, sales calls could be hard.” Marcelo and Luis were undaunted. “Once, Luis and I went to a store,” Marcelo said. “There was a huge sign of Uncle Sam saying, ‘I Want YOU to Speak English.’ We saw the sign and were worried because our English isn’t perfect. I started presenting, and the guy behind the counter said, in a hard tone, ‘Wait, wait, wait. Where are you from?’ I told him we were from Paraguay and we sell holsters. After showing him our products, he said, ‘I respect you guys because you try. You try to speak my language.’ “In the end, he was a really cool guy and we became friends.” That story is a good illustration of Marcelo and Luis’s work ethic and determination to make their company a success. As for the stores that declined to stock Tagua holsters because they’re not made in the USA? Marcelo refused to give up on them. “After trying and trying, we are now in many of those stores,” he said. “We gained their hearts.” A Growing Business As it grew, Tagua needed help reaching more gun stores, and the two partners began bringing on additional help, including Luis’s brother, Nelson Kelleman. “When I started selling Tagua holsters, I didn’t have GPS or Google Maps,” Nelson said. “I would drive around with maps printed off from MapQuest. I would go through cities and towns and look for gun stores. Then I’d go into the store, introduce myself, and show the holsters.

july 2023 | insidefirearms.com | 21 That’s how we started.” One encounter demonstrated how quickly Tagua holsters were winning over consumers. “I was in a really, really small town,” Nelson said. “I walked into a store, and all they sold were Tagua holsters. Wherever you looked at the walls, you could see our holsters.” That might seem like a good thing, but it was close to the end of the month and Nelson was trying to hit his monthly sales goal. Looking around at the products on the walls, he figured he wasn’t going to sell any more holsters there. But he was in for a surprise. “The guy told me, ‘I want 20 more of every single holster you have,’” Nelson recalled. “I walked out of the store with a $20,000 order. It was unbelievable.” Exceptional Quality So what makes Tagua holsters so special? First, there’s the fact that each holster is hand-crafted by skilled artisans. Then there’s the leather itself, which comes from Argentina—specifically, a fertile grassland region known as the Pampas. Cattle in the region

22 | inside firearms | july 2023 spend their lives grazing on the rich plains and prairies. “It’s very high-quality leather,” Nelson explained. “It’s also because of the weather,” Marcelo added. “The air is a little colder, so the skin is a little thicker. That gives us a thicker leather.” Tagua uses full-grain Argentinian leather, which makes for a premium product. “Even though the leather of the holster is thick, it’s still soft,” Marcelo said. “It’s very comfortable to wear. It’s not like a thick, hard leather. It molds to the body really easily.” That premium leather ensures Tagua is able to create popular holsters like its best-selling Quick Draw 4 in 1. Designed for open or concealed carry, the Quick Draw can be worn four different ways: inside the waistband, strong side, crossdraw or in the small of the back. This lightweight, versatile holster is opticready and covers the entire barrel. Another hot-selling holster is the Cushion Soft IWB, which Tagua says is the softest holster on the market today for comfortable concealment. Both the Quick Draw and the Cushion Soft IWB feature an open-top design and come in left- or right-handed configurations. Other Materials In addition to leather holsters, Tagua offers holsters in both ecoleather and Kydex. Ecoleather is a sustainable, environmentally friendly alternative to animal leather. Currently, Tagua has found the market for ecoleather holsters is growing steadily. “It’s one of our best sellers,” Nelson said. Another popular option is Tagua’s Kydex holsters. “Kydex is a hard plastic material,” Nelson said. “It’s the same material you see on the back of an airplane seat. It’s waterproof and scratch resistant. It holds its shape. You can wipe it clean. And Kydex holsters offer the ability to have a click

july 2023 | insidefirearms.com | 23 sound so you know your gun is holstered securely. It’s becoming very popular among young people in the United States right now.” A Focus on Service From the beginning, Marcelo and Luis made giving the retailers what they wanted the company’s top priority. “If a dealer asks if we can do something special—maybe add a strap to a holster or create a specific holster—we do it for them,” Marcelo said. “We listened to the dealers and their needs, and then we would customize holsters for them based on their needs. Even now that we’re bigger, we still do that. If one of our dealers asks for a special order or a special detail, we do it.” Tagua also stands behind its products with a lifetime warranty. “It’s a no-questions-asked warranty,” Marcelo explained. “We say lifetime warranty, and we respect what we say.” The result of that emphasis on customer service has been a steadily growing customer and dealer base. Over the company’s 16-year history, its dealer network has grown each year, thanks in large part to its commitment to truly listening to its customers’ needs. Expanding Into New Markets When I asked Marcelo and Nelson what was in store for Tagua in the future, they were quick to answer. “The idea is to keep growing,” Marcelo said. To do that, the Tagua team is looking at new products in new markets. “We’re working on concealment purses for women,” Marcelo said. “And for men, fanny packs and satchels. Anything gun related or holster related. We’re working on some concealed carry clothing, like T-shirts and exercise apparel, as well as gun totes.” “We’re also working on multi-tool holsters,” Nelson said. “And we’re looking into knife holsters.” One area Tagua is already involved in but looking to expand further into is

24 | inside firearms | july 2023 Western holsters. “We currently have two Western holsters, and we want to try to get more into the Western world,” Marcelo said. “We know it’s a completely different world of concealment, but we have some really nice Western-style holsters.” Those two Western-style holsters are the Sheriff and the Western. Both holsters are designed for both double-action and single-action revolvers. “These holsters are beautiful,” Marcelo said. “The artistry and the craftsmanship in that line are amazing, and the price is incredible.” The Western line is yet another example of Tagua responding to requests from existing clients. The company originally started producing the holsters when a client asked for one. “We did it and he loved it,” Marcelo said. “He bought 50 of them already.” Blood, Sweat, and Tears Today, Tagua employs more than 100 employees between the United States and Paraguay. Luis Kelleman serves as the company’s CEO, with Miguel Coronel working as the CFO. All production is done in-house in the company’s facility in Paraguay. “We used to ship containers to Florida and do the distribution from Miami,” Nelson said. “Then we started using FedEx, and they approached us with an offer to ship directly from Paraguay to our clients in the States. So now we do

july 2023 | insidefirearms.com | 25 everything here, even shipping directly to our customers in the States.” Tagua has come a long way from its early years, when two young men set out with some samples and a map to convince gun store owners to give their products a try. “We started small,” Nelson said. “It’s a family company. It’s grown up to be a very good company with a very good name that’s known all over the United States. It’s really hard to find a gun store that doesn’t stock Tagua holsters. We started by jumping into a car and driving all over, store by store. It was a tough road, but we did it.” Marcelo agreed. “This is a company that was built with a lot of blood, sweat, and tears,” he said. “We’ve made our name by locating and recruiting the right employees, and with our handcrafting, authenticity and premium leather. And, most importantly of all, our holsters are offered at an affordable price for the average working man.”

26 | inside firearms | july 2023 market trends | shop safety Fortress Display H offman Manufacturing Corporation launched their high security display segment about 10 years ago, having been challenged by a major regional outdoor sporting goods retailer to develop a display that could protect merchandise for three minutes from an onslaught of sledgehammer, crowbar, hatchet, and gunfire assault. This was in response to suffering a rash of smash-and-grab losses. The display met the three-minute objective, with the effort to penetrate the display ending after 15 unsuccessful minutes. Hoffman High Security Displays (now known as Fortress Displays) were installed in every store and though there were smash-andgrab attempts even after re-fixturing the chain, there were no successful display penetrations. The rest, as they say, is history. The Fortress Display line was designed, engineered and fabricated from the ground up to provide the ultimate in loss prevention. While preventing smash-and-grab theft is a primary objective, the Fortress Display line has not lost sight of the key objective of providing an attractive, user-friendly, spacious display vehicle to optimally display valuable merchandise. A more attractive display is a key component of the selling process. The use of keyretained locks is another aspect of security. Locking the case is the only way to remove the key, thus creating a simple visual to ensure cases are never left unlocked. Fortress Display cases have been tested in the company’s plant as well as in retail stores. So far it has withstood sledgehammers, crow bars, hammers, an axe, kicking, being jumped on, and very mean looks from frustrated criminals. Fortress Display’s website has a fantastic video demonstration of the impact resistance of their display cases. Fortress Display’s most common display case, the HS-20, is 48 inches wide, 22 inches deep, and 44 inches tall. This maximizes both display space and customer interaction ability. The company also offers a lower ADA height case. Fortress Display’s backwall display (HS-32) is 48 inches wide, 20 inches deep, and 84 inches tall. All display cases maintain a 48-inch-wide dimension, as this allows optimal strength, product visibility and flexibility in store display configurations. Investing in Fortress Display cases is a critical decision to ensure loss prevention and store security. The company offers new customers assistance with product selection and with any questions. The company’s terms are 50 percent down and 50 percent to ship. Ultimately, the incentives are safeguarding valuable merchandise and providing optimal display aesthetics. As Harlan B. of Great Escape Powersports & Guns in South Dakota (thegreatescape.com) put it, “After a lot of research, we found that the Fortress Display was the best fit for our business. Being a Power-Sports business, we needed a good looking display that didn’t need constant watching. I sleep well at night knowing my inventory is safe. Highly recommended.” Start with Fortress Display’s website: fortressdisplay.com. Interested dealers can also call (608) 333-0942. By Patrick Meitin Many parts of the country are experiencing rampant crime and an upside down criminal justice system where crime is tolerated and store owners and employees are punished for protecting their livelihoods.

28 | inside firearms | july 2023 market trends | pistol report L ike some shooters, my petite wife sometimes struggles to rack the slide on her concealed carry pistol. The new MC 14T Tip-Up pistol by Girsan, imported by the European American Armory Corporation or EAA, has a solution for this in a compact, higher capacity, blow-back-operated, semiautomatic pistol chambered in the popular 380 ACP. EAA Corporation is based in Cocoa, Florida, and has made its name as a leading American importer of European firearms offering quality and affordability. The MC 14T is manufactured by Girsan, a modern Turkish manufacturer since 1994. Girsan produces several pistol models, including many original designs, and others inspired by 1911, Browning High Power and Beretta designs. The MC 14T—not to be confused with the older Girsan MC 14—includes a 3.81- inch tip-up barrel activated by a lever located on the frame just above the trigger. The barrel is disengaged by pushing this lever downward—a la Beretta’s Model 86—a round inserted directly into the chamber, and the barrel clicked back into place. The pistol is now ready to shoot, subsequent rounds fed from the 13-round double-stack steel magazine. The pistol can be shot double-action, or the exposed knurled hammer cocked for single-action shooting. The 1911-style ambidextrous safety disengages the trigger and blocks the firing pin. There is also an auto firing pin block, which disengages when the trigger is pulled fully rearward. Clicking the thumb safety downward to fire exposes a red dot to each side of the slide. Its unique design makes the MC 14T one of the easiest pistols in the industry to load/unload, without the need to manipulate the slide. Several companies have addressed this issue by designing pistols with slides that are easier to rack, but the tip-up barrel feature eliminates the need to manipulate the slide at all. It is ideal for those with physical limitations that impair hand strength and make manipulating an auto-loading slide troublesome. The MC 14T isn’t a mini pistol exactly but is a compact 4.6-by-6.8 inches, though includes an ambidextrous composite grip large enough to accommodate my big mitts. The magazine holds a polymer pinky rest for comfortable handling and shooting. It weighs just shy of a pound and a half unloaded. It could be easily stashed in a woman’s purse (following safety protocols, of course) or tucked into a discreet waist or shoulder holster for concealed carry. Though reminiscent of the Beretta Model 86, due to the tip-up barrel, the similarities end there. In my view the MC 14T is a decided improvement on Beretta’s version. The MC 14T holds 13+1 380 ACP rounds, providing plenty of firepower in any defensive situation—or just fewer reloads during target training (the Beretta Model 86 includes an 8-round single-stack mag). The pistol also sports a three-slot Picatinny rail milled into the bottom-front of the aluminum frame allowing the addition of a weapon light or By Patrick Meitin The Girsan EAA MC 14T includes a 13-round double-stack magazine, which is equipped with a pinkie rest that makes the pistol more comfortable to shoot. top: The Girsan MC 14T Tip-Up pistol includes a pop-up barrel, which makes it one of the easiest handguns in the business to load and unload. bottom: The safety of the Girsan MC 14T pistol is an ambidextrous 1911 style, with a red dot showing to each side of the slide when the pistol is ready to fire. EAA Girsan MC 14T Tip-UpTM Pistol in 380 ACP

july 2023 | insidefirearms.com | 29 Girsan MC 14T Tip-Up Specifications ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Manufacturer: Girsan ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Country of Origin: Turkey ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Action: Double/Single Action, Blow-Back Semiautomatic ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Caliber Tested: 380 ACP ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Barrel: Steel, Tip-Up Design ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Barrel Length: 3.81 inches –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Magazine Capacity: 13 +1 Double Stack, Steel, with Pinkie Rest –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Safety: Ambidextrous Thumb-Activated, Firing-Pin Block Design ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Measured Trigger Pull: 7.2 pounds single action, 14.7 pounds double action ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Frame: Aluminum, M1913 Accessory Rail ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Slide: Hammer Forged Steel ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Overall Length: 6.8 inches ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Weight: 22.4 ounces ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Finish: Black/Blue ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Sights: Low profile two white dots rear, white dot front ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– MSRP: $498 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For more information, visit eaacorp.com laser. The ambidextrous thumb safety is also a modern touch. Shooting the MC 14T was a pleasant experience. The pistol is large enough to handle easily and not exaggerate the recoil of the mild 380 ACP round like some pocket pistols will. The composite grips were comfortable and all controls easily reached. That said, the relative chunkiness of the double-stack grip made the controls more difficult to reach for my tiny wife and her much smaller hands. Otherwise, all controls—the smoothedged slide release and safety, 1911-style mag-release button, and knurled barrel tip-up lever—were intuitively accessible and easily operated. I especially appreciated the pistol’s simple but effective fixed sights, which include bright white dots. The front sight is fixed to the barrel, instead of the slide, to improve accuracy, the rears dovetailed into the slide. The sights were easy to see and align. Further accuracy is provided by the fact that the barrel locks into the frame, instead of the usual free-floating arrangement. I was easily able to hit a regulation soda can every shot at 20 yards with the first magazine of cheap ammo fired while getting acquainted with the pistol. The steel barrel/slide and aluminum frame make this pistol wellbalanced in the hand and provides easy point-ability. Rapid-fire point-and-shoot shooting without consulting the sights put all shots into center mass at any reasonable range. I had on hand a decent selection of ammunition for testing, including everything from specialty loads to plinking ammo to serious self-defense rounds from several makers. Loads from 50 to 95 grains were tested, including 50-grain Liberty Ammunition Civil Defense and 60-grain Inceptor 60-grain polymer bullets, 90-grain defensive hollow points, and full metal jackets (FMJ) bullets weighing 95 grains. All groups were fired from a rest at 15 yards. As a potential self-defense pistol, the 90-grain jacketed hollow point (JHP) ammunition interested me the most. The “generic” hollow point loads by Quality Ammunition ran flawlessly, while Federal Premium’s Low Recoil Hydra-Shok, and SIG Sauer’s Elite Performance loaded with Sierra’s V-Crown resulted in occasional feeding failures, the more pronounced open hollow-point lips catching on the feed ramp. A qualified gunsmith could undoubtedly polish this area out for more reliable feeding. It is something to keep in mind, especially if considering this pistol for carry purposes. I enjoyed shooting this easy-handling, mild-mannered pistol. It is effortless to manipulate, and provides surprising accuracy for such a compact and lightweight pistol. For customers looking for a reasonably-priced pistol that is simple to run and easy to load/ unload, the MC 14T from EAA would prove a solid investment. left: Federal Premium's 90-grain Hydra-Shok hollow point ammunition grouped into less than 1.50 inches, but resulted in the occasional stoppage. right: Liberty Ammunition's Civil Defense 50-grain lead-free loads assembled a 1.18-inch group at 15 yards, while also feeding flawlessly. Girsan MC 14T - 380 ACP Factory Loads ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 5-shot Measured Extreme 15-yard Load MSRP velocity spread group (grains) (fps) (fps) (inches) ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 50 Liberty Ammunition Civil Defense $39.73/20 1,609 93 1.18 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 60 Inceptor Ammunition RNP $19.99/20 1,292 46 0.76 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 90 Quality Ammunition JHP N/A 1,060 16 1.19 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 90 Federal Premium Low Recoil Hydra-Shok JHP $27.99/20 958 11 1.45 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 90 Sig Sauer Elite Performance V-Crown JHP $20.99/20 919 12 1.59 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 95 Federal American Eagle FMJ $25.99/50 883 22 2.03 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 95 Magtech FMJ $23.99/50 881 26 2.08 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 95 Fiocchi Training Dynamics FMJ $24.99/50 922 19 1.54 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– All velocities established with a LabRadar Doppler unit.

30 | inside firearms | july 2023 There has never been a better time to be looking for a big game rifle. Yes, the gun stores are awash in AR-15s (well, when there isn’t another panic-buying session going on) but the rifle manufacturers have been spending the first two decades of the 21st century perfecting the hunting rifle, nonAR-15 version. (Never fear, we will get to the AR-15 as a hunting rifle). Manufacturers have taken advantage of CNC manufacturing precision and economy to make their rifles more accurate and better fitted. And they have utilized CAD-CAM computerized design to come up with new models that are not only more economical to manufacture, but inherently more accurate. And your customers benefit. Now, in this overview we’ll be looking at rifles intended for big game in North America—deer of various species, up to elk. The bigger non-African calibers could be stretched to moose and the biggest bear, but we’ll be looking at rifles chambered in something belted, with the 375 H&H Magnum as the upper limit. BOLT-ACTION RIFLES The turn-bolt rifle, first seen in the 19th century, has been in use as a hunting rifle ever since for a couple of very good reasons, including reliability, accuracy, strength, the fact they can be chambered in a huge variety of useful cartridges, and their inherent handiness. Okay, five reasons. Mossberg n The Mossberg Patriot is an example of the modern bolt action, built on computerized machinery but with all the options customers want. Customers can go from the Patriot, with a classic-styled wood stock, but with a removable box magazine, to the Patriot LR Tactical, with chassisstyle stock with adjustments for comb height and length of pull, and magazine capacity. If customers want a complete package, then the Patriot Vortex Package provides a walnut-stocked rifle complete with Vortex scope. All the BY PATRICK SWEENEY

july 2023 | insidefirearms.com | 31

32 | inside firearms | july 2023 Patriot rifles have the LBA trigger, which is user-adjustable, and a scope base is already attached to the receiver. By selecting scope and rings at the gun shop, customers are ready to go to the range. Cartridge offerings are extensive, with the hunting models offering as “few” as nine chamberings, and as many as 13, depending on which model is chosen. Learn more by visiting mossberg.com. Ruger Firearms n When faced with a customer who is a classicist, the Ruger Model 77 makes an obvious choice. The classic M77 is now known as the Hawkeye, but is a Mauser-style bolt action, but built to a level of precision Peter Paul Mauser himself could only have dreamed of. The Hawkeye is offered in eight big-game cartridges, with the big magnums (7mm Rem Mag and 300 Win Mag) entirely suitable for elk. It has been chambered in the past in pretty much any hunting-suitable cartridge made. The newest Ruger hunting rifle is the American, and it shows the performance that can be designed by attention to physics. Where it used to be a rifle that consistently shot 1-inch groups (also known as 1 MOA) was a rarity, modern designs and manufactured rifles routinely do that out of the box. The Ruger American is one such rifle. Chambered in seven hunting calibers, customers have their choice of precision with soft recoil, like a 243 Winchester, or a real thumper like the .30-06 Springfield. Learn more by visiting ruger.com. Howa n The all-new Hera H7 Series utilizes a modern and easy-to-use chassis stock system optimized for the Howa Model 1500 short action system—mating German engineering with Japanese precision. The chassis system includes fiberglass-reinforced polymer construction, an aluminum V-block and aluminum forearm that creates a rigid and stable n Mossberg Patriot n Ruger Hawkeye n Howa Hera H7 Series n Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical n Ruger American n Best of the West Altopo n Remington Model 700

july 2023 | insidefirearms.com | 33 platform. The stock system comes with three length of pull spacers, a polymer cheek piece and an AICS-compatible five-round magazine, plus it includes M-LOK slots to facilitate various compatible accessories. The rifle is offered in requisite 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Winchester chamberings, and in black, tan or OD green color schemes. Customers can choose between a 24-inch heavy steel or carbon fiber barrel— both threaded—with only right-hand actions available. The Hera H7 Series makes an ideal long-range vehicle. Learn more by visiting howausa.com. Best of the West n Best of the West had a huge influence on getting the extreme long-range rage moving. Their 100 percent custom rifles have been a big part of that movement, but can prove quite pricn Savage 110 Hunter n Browning X-Bolt Western Hunter n Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather

34 | inside firearms | july 2023 ey. To answer the need for a solid long-range rifle at a more affordable price, while also making shooting to 1,000 yards easier than ever, Best of the West/Huskemaw is now offering the complete ALTOPO shooting package. This package first includes a Best of the West ALTOPO rifle built on a Bighorn Arms stainless steel action, holding a 24-inch spiral-fluted barrel and a crispy TriggerTech Diamond trigger, and bedded into a McMillan carbon fiber stock. Attached is a Huskemaw 5-20x50mm Blue Diamond turret scope set in Tally Manufacturing four-hole rings clamped onto the action’s integral Picatinny rail. A Huskemaw Wind Meter and two boxes of ammunition are also included, all nestled into a Boyt lockable hardcase. The rifle arrives fully assembled, sighted at 200 yards, and out-of-the-box ready for 1,000-yard shooting using the pre-etched turrets and HuntSmart ReticleTM for precision wind holds. The system saves customers all the range time and load development normally associated with creating a long-range-ready rifle, and at a retail price just south of $7,000. ALTOPO rifles are offered in 6.5, 7mm and 300 PRC. Learn more by visiting bestofthewestarms.com. Remington n A long-established firearms maker, Remington went out of business, was re-formed, and is back in business and making the Model 700. The Model 700 was one of the first rifles designed to be an economical and easily manufactured product, and it has been a hunting favorite for more than three-quarters of a century, with more than five million of them manufactured to date. I had planned on listing the models and the calibers available, but the first glance I took told me otherwise: you could have had your Model 700 in 15 different versions, and in 93 different chamberings. A detailed look tells me that was a historical fact, as Remington n SIG Sauer Cross n Weatherby Mark V Deluxe n Marlin 1894 n Marlin 1895 n Henry Side Gate n Henry Long Ranger n Browning BLR Lightweight

july 2023 | insidefirearms.com | 35 lists a total of “only” 36 calibers now, and 28 of them are suitable for big game. I can’t say I’m familiar with the use of all 28 of them in a Model 700, but I have pulled the trigger on one rifle or another on 21 of them, and you could almost pick a suitable hunting caliber, and suitable hunting model from the Remington list at random and be happy with the results on deer. Hand me a Model 700 in any of the magnums, and I’d be happy to use it on elk. Learn more by visiting remarms.com. Winchester Repeating Arms n Winchester’s Model 70 has achieved iconic status. First offered back in the depths of The Great Depression, it was designed at a time when steel was expensive and labor was cheap. Changing times resulted in design changes in 1965, and many lamented the departures from the classic pre-’64 design features. Yet modern manufacturing techniques and better materials have resulted in some of the finest Model 70s ever produced. These are rifles built to last a lifetime and prove the envy of any hunting camp. The Model 70 Extreme Weather MB is a prime example of the modern M70, a rifle providing extreme accuracy and modern recoil control created for tough shooting conditions. It is based on a Bell and Carlson hand-laid fiberglass/ aramid fibers/carbon composite stock including an aluminum bedding block and trim, lightweight ergonomics. It holds a thick Pachmayr Decelerator pad to take the bite out of hard recoiling cartridges. It brings back many pre-’64 features such as its three-position safety and controlled round feed with claw extractor and blade ejector. The barrel is free-floated and the rifle comes with a 1 MOA accuracy guarantee with premium ammunition. Chamberings from light to heavy big game rounds are covered to tackle everything from deer to moose. This reliable rifle is ready for the harshest conditions and hardest knocks. Learn more by visiting winchester.com. Browning n The Browning X-bolt is a modern design that uses three lugs instead of the two used in traditional designs. This means a shorter 60-degree bolt-lift, and it is made with a detachable rotary magazine. The X-bolt has the Browning Feathertrigger, which is useradjustable from 3 to 5 pounds, and has no felt take-up or creep, and minimum over-travel. Those are all good features to have in a trigger and encourage good marksmanship. Customers might want to leave it at the factory-set 3.5 pounds, as lighter trigger pulls, in cold weather or while wearing gloves, is a recipe for an accidental discharge. If a customer does need a follow-up shot, the short bolt lift and slick action will get them ready quickly. The X-bolt can be had in a dozen hunting-suitable calibers, including 375

36 | inside firearms | july 2023 H&H Magnum, for those customers who believe reports of elk shrugging off hits from “mere” cartridges like 7mm or 300 Winchester Magnum. Then again, if they are hunting big game in a location where they might experience bear encounters, a 375 would be very comforting indeed. New models such as the X-Bolt Target Max and Target Lite Max are leading the way. Learn more by visiting browning.com. Savage Arms n The Savage 110 rifle is as straightforward and durable as a pickup truck, and yet can be as good-looking as any customer wants. I have shot Savage 110s in a wide variety of calibers, from 243 Win in deep forest, up to 338 Lapua on targets at what used to be considered absurdly long distances. They have all worked well and they have all been stellar performers. The 110 Hunter offers all the expected n Rock River Arms All Terrain Hunter n Alexander Arms 6.5 Grendel n Kimber Mountain Ascent Caza

hunting cartridge options, and also a stock with adjustable length of pull and comb height. This means you can re-fit it to make it suitable for youth hunters going afield for the first time, or a guy who played basketball in college. The Savage Accu-trigger also means customers can tune the trigger themselves to make it clean and easy to use. The detachable box magazine makes loading and unloading easy, and that means increased safety getting into and out of the hunting blind. Depending on a customer’s budget and needs, they can have a 110 in right or left-hand configuration and choose the stock for the hunting they do most. Models such as the Hog Hunter, Brush Hunter, Classic and Ridge Warrior offer details and options that could make your customer’s hunting experience a lot more enjoyable. Learn more by visiting savagearms.com. SIG Sauer n If your customer’s tastes or needs run to the tactical and longrange side for hunting, then the SIG Sauer Cross would be right up their alley. Customers don’t have much in the way of caliber choices, being able to choose between 308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor (and 277 Fury in the original Cross), but the chassis design and the fully-adjustable, folding stock, means they can adjust the rifle to fit like a bespoke suit. Learn more by visiting sigsauer.com. Weatherby n There were magnum cartridges before Roy Weatherby came along, but he was the one who popularized them, and made magnums across the board, from the smallest to the largest calibers. He also popularized what was called back then the “California style” stock design and decoration. Customers can still have that, in the Mark V Deluxe model, but if they want an all-weather synthetic stock, or a model designed especially for women (the Camilla), then Weatherby can do that, too. And in another departure from its origins, customers can have their Weatherby (even the Mark V) in cartridges outside the Weatherby proprietary stable. Yes, if your customer has to have, say, a .30-378 Weatherby for elk hunting, they can have that. But if they want a Mark V in something more suited to deer, then Weatherby will be happy to provide them with a 243 Winchester or other mainstream chambering. If customers live in a state where some areas are limited to straight-walled cartridges, then the Sportsman’s Edition in 350 Legend would top their list. Learn more by visiting weatherby.com. LEVER GUNS There is nothing more American than the lever gun. Starting with the Henry rifle in the 1860s, up to the present day, the lever-action rifle has long represented a stalwart in hunting camps across the nation. Customers can have their lever action in relatively sedate cartridges like the .30-30 Winchester or .35 Remington, or can patrol the woods with a sledgehammer like .45-70. The modern lever gun is also capable of accepting a scope so customers can use optics to improve their aim and ensure pin-point shot placement. The selection of cartridges isn’t as great as in the bolt actions, but there are more than enough to satisfy hunters’ needs and desires. Marlin Firearms n Marlin had been a lever-action company since the last decade of the 19th century and had been bought early in the 21st century by the conglomerate that held Remington. When Remington folded it looked like Marlin was a goner, but Ruger purchased the company, modernized everything, and now is offering the Marlin series rifle again. And the caliber choices and finishes are plenty, conforming to the tastes of those who love the lever-action. Options include the 1894, 336, and 1895. The 1894 is a pistol-caliber lever action, currently offered in 44 Magnum. Which, for many deer hunters, is plenty. Hunting from a blind, over a food plot, or in

38 | inside firearms | july 2023 deep woods, it is light, handy, accurate and has plenty of power inside 100 yards. Even at a feathery 6.5 pounds, it results in soft recoil, and for those who reload, crafting even softer-shooting ammunition to teach new shooters how to become new hunters is easy. The 1895 is Marlin’s big hammer, chambered in 45-70 Government and offered in the Guide Gun, Trapper, and SBL. The Guide Gun is blued steel, while the other two are stainless steel. The Trapper is made with a barrel a touch less than 16 inches long to make it as compact and quick-handling as possible. It includes an aperture rear sight that is fast and accurate. If the recoil of the 45-70 out of a rifle weighing a bit more than 7 pounds proves a touch too rebust, the muzzle is threaded and customers can remove the thread cover to install a muzzle brake to tame recoil. The SBL is full-sized, with a 19-inch barrel, and a top Picatinny rail in case customers want to mount a red-dot pointed downrange) and simply pouring the cartridges out. Lever once, and eject the chambered round out, and you’re done. Depending on the model, customers can choose a Henry in 360 Buckhammer, .30-30 Win, or 45-70 Government. If customers want a lever action in a handgun cartridge, they can choose from 327 Federal Magnum, 41 Magnum, 38/357, 44 Special/Magnum, or 45 Colt. All-Weather Side Gate models in .30-30 and 45-70 are also available. And then just in case customers desire something not based in the 19th century, Henry offers the Long Ranger. This is a lever-action rifle with a box magazine, not a tube, and as a result Henry is able to chamber these rifles in 243 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 308 Win. With a scope attached, this is a lever action that provides the range, trajectory, and power of a boltaction rifle. Lever action fans need not take a back seat to the bolt-gun shooters. Learn more by visiting henryusa.com. optic, or magnifying optic. It, too, has a threaded muzzle, because the 45-70 is not puny in recoil, even from a slightly heavier rifle. Learn more by visiting marlinfirearms.com. Henry Repeating Arms n Henry rifles have a well-deserved reputation for providing a big bang for the buck and performance above expectations. While many of their earlier models were loaded only from the front of the magazine tube, Henry has introduced side gate loading across the board. This uses both the side gate to load, and the front tube option to unload. It used to be, to load or unload, users turned the magazine tube plunger, slid out the tube, dropped cartridges in, and then shoved the magazine tube follower back in. Now, with the Side Gate models, loading from the side is possible, and unloading is even easier: removing the magazine tube follower (safely, please, keep the muzzle

july 2023 | insidefirearms.com | 39 Browning n The Browning BLR is a relative lever gun newcomer to the hunting fields, only appearing in 1971. What makes it stand out from other designs is that the lever connects to the bolt by a rack-and-pinion system, which provides ultra smooth and even cycling. It comes with either a straight or curved grip, and customers can choose between blued or stainless steel. And, as a nod to the tastes of the past, customers can even choose a takedown version, although they will have to “settle” for a stainless steel and laminated furniture combination to get it. The BLR comes in all the expected hunting calibers, from 243 Win up to 300 Winchester Magnum, depending on the model. And if customers are plying straight-walled cartridge seasons, they have the option of the 450 Marlin in the BLR Lightweight with curved grip, and blued or stainless steel. Learn more by visiting browning.com. AR-15 RIFLES America’s Rifle, the AR-15 in its usual 223 Remington/5.56 NATO chambering, is not approved for big game hunting in many States. But customers can purchase an AR-15 in calibers that meet with DNR approval, as long as they use a cartridge with a large enough bore that generates ample kinetic energy or is a straight-walled cartridge. Rock River Arms n Rock River makes AR-15s that are designed for hunting. If a customer is looking for accuracy, reliability, a really nice trigger, and a carbine that isn’t an anvil, then the All Terrain Hunter in 350 Legend is just the ticket. With an adjustable stock (so smaller framed shooters can also enjoy it) and top rail for scope mounting, the All Terrain can be made to fit just about any shooter, for any hunting situation. The trajectory of the 350 Legend isn’t exactly laser-straight, but since most deer are engaged at less than 150 yards, this shouldn’t present a problem. Rock River builds standard models, but customers can customize orders, so if there are details your customer just has SCY: Build a custom-tailored bullpup configured AR-15! Reap Weaponries • [email protected] •reapweaponries.com • 320-223-5983 • Relocates trigger interface 9 ¾” forward • M-LOK, KeyMod™ compatible • Ambidextrous setup • Mil-spec components • Weights 12 ounces • Linear trigger system • Less than 1.5 lbs. trigger weight added • Designed for all mil-spec lowers with a removable trigger guard • Recoil rated for up to .50 Beowulf • All components made in the USA CALL OR EMAIL FOR ORDERS • FREE SHIPPING! • to have, Rock River will do their best to accommodate them. Learn more by visiting rockriverarms.com. Alexander Arms n For hunting with an AR-15, Alexander Arms offers the 6.5 Grendel in a host of models and colors. The 6.5 Grendel is a flat-shooting cartridge that allows customers to stretch their reach (skill permitting, of course) well beyond woods-deer hunting distances. And it does so with tack-driving accuracy. I once, in a gun writers contest, hit a steel plate at 600-plus yards five times in under 10 seconds with an Alexander Arms 6.5 Grendel. I’m not saying 600 yards is anything like the distance I’d feel comfortable shooting at a deer, but if I can hit steel at 600 yards, then a deer at 200 becomes a piece of cake—or a haul of venison. Learn more by visiting alexanderarms.com. FACTORY-CUSTOM Last is what a lot of hunters call their “lottery gun” or perhaps their “always wanted it” hunting rifle. The factory-custombuild to exactly what they want rifle and hang the cost because this is a once-ina-lifetime rifle. So, customers can start with, say, a Kimber Mountain Ascent Caza, which weighs a wispy 4 pounds 13 ounces. Then they get a top-notch scope like a MeoSport, or if they are going for “Hubble on a Rifle” optics, a Swarovski. Track down the lightest scope rings you can find, or have them made, and customers can have a rifle that is fully ready to go, while still tipping the scales at less than 7 pounds, while also delivering Kimber’s sub-MOA guarantee. Customers will, of course, have spent as much on it as the down payment on a luxury vehicle, but they will have a rifle that will last a lifetime, and remain an heirloom their grandkids will argue over. Learn more by visiting kimberamerica.com. We’re edging into the third decade of the 21st century, and rifle choices for the big-game hunter have never been better. Also, ammunition choices are, if anything, even more glorious than the rifle choices.

40 | inside firearms | july 2023 market trends | gear report Vantac Direct Access Defense System (D.A.D.S.) AR/M4 Stock System V antac’s patented Direct Access Defense System (D.A.D.S.) allows adjusting length of pull (LOP) while staying on the rifle and maintaining sight picture and cheek weld while keeping both hands on the rifle and ready for immediate and accurate reaction to a sudden shot opportunity or threat. The patented system requires adding two parts made of 4140 steel and 7075 aluminum, two pins and three springs, while adding just 1.1 ounces to rifle mass. Controlling LOP is accomplished through an ambidextrous actuator accessible to either hand. LOP—the distance between rifle butt and trigger—determines ergonomics and how a firearm fits a shooter. It is, of course, important to things like shooting comfort and firearm control, automatic shot placement and perceived recoil. LOP can also change dependent on body position (standing verses prone or shooting atop a bench, as examples), and the type of attire worn (tee shirt, winter jacket, or heavy body armor, for instance). These variances can become especially exaggerated during military and law enforcement tactical maneuvers, shooting from a more aggressive “isosceles” stance to offset recoil and maintain superior control of the weapon while working around cover barriers. This moves the shoulders, and in turn the stock, 2-3 inches forward, resulting in the need to stretch uncomfortably to maintain a clean sight picture, especially with magnified optic systems. This can lead to poor shot placement. The standard AR-15 system allows LOP adjustments for such contingencies, though making such adjustments requires removing a hand from the weapon, losing both the sight picture and cheek weld. This can create an unstable shooting platform or even an inability to fire the weapon. In a hostile environment these brief moments of unreadiness can mean life or death. Compensating for an ill-fitting rifle can also lead to an erosion of accuracy. So, with all those scenarios in mind, the D.A.D.S. steps in to alleviate the shortfalls of standard buffer-tube LOP adjustment systems. The system can be manipulated with one hand, in the event the other hand is occupied or otherwise incapacitated—while maintaining that allimportant cheek weld and sight picture. The sleek actuators are large enough to offer sure manipulation, yet streamlined enough to blend and eliminate snags. Actuators are placed just above and behind the shooter’s thumb and designed to begin close to the receiver, and then slowly cut outward, allowing the thumb to easily rise and slide behind the actuator while shooting. The actuators engage the pull-bar after about 8 pounds of pressure, which pushes the stock plunger pin from the buffer tube, and allows the choice of six LOP positions by pulling into the shoulder, or allowing the weapon to move away from the shoulder and releasing to lock LOP in place. Should the actuator become damaged, the stock can be adjusted with its original adjustment lever. Major or minor LOP adjustments are quickly conducted at the pistol grip. Go to vantac.com to learn more. By Patrick Meitin

42 | inside firearms | july 2023 inside the industry | beyond the sale Radcolube® CLP 3in1 About the Company Radcolube® CLP 3IN1 is headquartered in Batavia, Illinois, where the company’s product is formulated, bottled, and distributed by their parent company, Radco Industries, Inc. Radcolube® CLP 3IN1 is an all-in-one cleaner, lubricant and preservative developed in 2014 for the U.S. military for use in small and large caliber firearms. Director of Science Doug McKinney, Distribution & LE Agency Specialist Steve Cleverley, EVP Brian Finch, and VP of Mil Products Sean Cook were instrumental in making Radcolube® CLP 3IN1 the success it is today. Radcolube® CLP 3IN1’s parent company Radco Industries Inc. has been in the critical application fluid and lubricant business for 51 years. The company is a second generation family owned business and is the primary supplier to the U.S. military for these specialized fluids. In 2014 the company was asked to develop a CLP (military acronym) to replace the ineffective product that was being issued at the time. Radcolube® CLP 3IN1 was officially qualified in 2017 after extensive and rigorous testing. Radcolube® CLP 3IN1 is now the most recognized and most widely used product by the American warfighter, 3-gun, and The Tactical Games athletes and extreme long-range marksmen. In the beginning of their journey, while Radcolube had a superior product, they only had one and it was packaged in troublesome MIL-Spec bottles. Radcolube had a tremendous presence in the competition circuits, but that was only a tiny segment. In order to gain access to the LE agencies, large distributors and big box stores, Steve Cleverley and his team understood they needed to increase brand awareness and trust, and most importantly improve their product’s visibility on the retailer’s shelf. To do that Cleverley had to find a U.S. sourced package that wouldn’t leak like the MIL-Spec bottles were prone, while also proving attractive on a store shelf. Cleverley also went to work to develop a more robust product line to help the company gain traction in an already saturated market. He knew he had something different and developed the line around that. Radcolube now has attractive packaging in three sizes, and four co-branded cleaning kits sold in conjunction with their friends at Otis TechMANUFACTURERS THAT GIVE BACK BY THE NUMBERS: 5 years benefiting the community $150,000+ total raised so far 4 organizations supported $10,000 worth of products donated annually toward auctions and raffles Steve Cleverly, Radcolube CLP Distribution & LE Agency Specialist nologies. In the coming months they will also offer Quick Clean CLP Wipes, a U.S.D.A. and D.O.D. approved Biobase CLP, as well as more specialty cleaning kits. Radcolube’s pricing structure is aggressive, to say the least. Retailers can expect better margins even at the company’s established and monitored Minimum Advertised Price (MAP). Combining that with a benchmark product, low MOQ’s and five to seven day lead times (in most cases) has helped Radcolube gain a firm foothold in the firearms industry. Radcolube® CLP 3IN1 is not just a trusted brand for hunters, competitors, LE and military. Industry leading firearm

july 2023 | insidefirearms.com | 43 Dr. Tania Glenn and Steve Cleverly Nate Schmidt and Tactical Mia manufacturers are not only using the product for the manufacturing and testing process, they are coating their products for shipment to preserve the metal surfaces and including a small sample with each firearm that leaves their facility. Radcolube does not take this honor lightly. They treat each opportunity and each manufacturer as industry partners, making sure they have everything in their toolbox needed to be successful and ensure zero customer complaints. Radcolube began offering their MILSpec Fluid to the civilian market in 2019, marketing it at The Tactical Game and Major 3-gun matches across the country. At that point it was all the company had to trial against more familiar products in the marketplace. Ironically this is where Cleverley was first introduced to the product. It was April of 2021 at the Texas 3 Gun Championship. Biblical rains and cold temperatures were prompting rust and weapon malfunctions. Match Director Aaron Hayes (Hayes Custom Guns) was tempted to postpone the match until Radcolube® CLP 3IN1 arrived on the scene. Finch provided MIL-Spec Pint Sprayer Bottles to place on the safety tables, which proved to everyone the effectiveness of the product. Rust was being removed and “gumming up” ceased. When he saw how well the product performed, Cleverley all but forced Finch to hire him to bring the good news of Radcolube® CLP 3IN1 to the world! When the company developed Radcolube® CLP 3IN1 for the military, their goal was to create something completely different. Radcolube does not reverse engineer any of their trusted products, instead developing their own formulations. The super tonics and magic elixirs that have been the norm for 50 years all have one thing in common—solvent. These products pose potential health risks like skin irritation and respiratory issues, and often led to weapon malfunctions. Conventional products in this category use solvent to eat away at fouling, requiring adequate venting while cleaning, even wearing rubber gloves. Other brands using the CLP acronym still use a solvent, but add lubricant additives. This, unfortunately, introduces a host of issues once that solvent flashes off. The solution breaks, causing moisture and debris to attach like fly-paper. If the temperature drops this will cause the firearms to begin gumming up. Radcolube’s product is nearly odorless and does not include solvent. Their proprietary, fully synthetic blend uses a bottom-up approach, lifting the carbon and copper off the metal and then sealing it. It is like seasoning a cast iron pan, making it non-stick. Cleaning becomes a matter of wiping, not scrubbing, while lubricating with the same product. It will stay in place to continue doing its work. The risk of gumming is eliminated as Radcolube does not break down. Radcolube is used and recommended by many top bolt action rifle builders for its ability to protect hidden internal parts. For instance, while many conventional products will corrode the internal spring on the bolt, Radcolube preserves it, and is proven to extend barrel life up to three times. Too, Radcolube will not degrade powder charges, so is safe for use in muzzleloaders.

44 | inside firearms | july 2023 inside the industry | beyond the sale Giving Back Besides producing industry-leading firearms lubricants, Radcolube is a company that gives back. Radcolube has a soft spot for the mental health of first responders, law enforcement and veterans, as several company members served in these capacities. The company is heavily involved in the Cpl. Chad Oligschlaeger Foundation for PTSD, which provides mental health treatment for veterans without the use of medication(s); Foundation 1023, which provides mental health treatment for first responders; Assist the Officer— Bridging the Divide, which provides financial assistance to officers who are facing loss of income due to injury, illness or other catastrophic events; and Memorial 3-Gun, which remembers, honors and memorializes fallen warriors of the Special Operations Community, with all proceeds going to Gold Star Families. On Veteran’s Day 2022, Radcolube, for example, hosted Aiming for Impact. This was a one-day firearm and survival skills training event hosted in conjunction with one of their dealers, Mat Unruh from R2 Ammo of Liberty Hill, Texas, for the Cpl. Chad Oligschaeger Foundation for PTSD. This is an event the company is particularly proud of. Held at the Reveille Peak Ranch in Burnet, Texas, this one-day event raised more than $12,000 for the organization, which equates to approximately 120 hours of mental health treatment with Dr. Tania Glenn and her team of clinicians. Dr. Glenn has devoted 30-plus years to the mental health and resilience of first responders and veterans. Her methodology of “Trauma Informed Care” was developed so that warriors get the best treatment possible and the commonly prescribed and harmful narcotics and psychotropics are no longer needed. Due to the overwhelming success the company had raising money for Cpl. Chad, Cleverley, and Unruh (who now is a part of the Staccato Family) have decided to make this an annual event with a larger venue, greater industry partner presence and musical entertainment by southern rock legends Blackbird Anthem. Interested parties can get involved with any of these charity organizations by visiting the following websites: foundation1023.org, memorial3gun.com, atodallas.org, and cplchado.org. Interested retailers can also contact Radcolube through their website, by visiting radcolubeclp.com/retailers. While you are there check out the company’s revolutionary firearms lubricants and specialty products. Joe Farewell - 2022 Memorial 3 Gun Championship Dr. Tania Glenn (center) and associates

46 | inside firearms | july 2023 market trends | rifle report P ushing the extreme limits of long-range shooting is currently all the rage with gunlooney types. Of course, there are those who have been at this for quite some time, long before it became de rigueur with American shooters. Best of the West/Huskemaw Optics was at the tip of the spear with this movement, filming hunts for their outdoor television show by the same Best of the West name and including big game animals taken at unprecedented ranges. Best of the West/ Huskemaw Optics is operated by hunters/engineers, giving them insight into the unique demands encountered in the field combined with a thorough understanding of precision manufacturing. Best of the West was a major factor in sparking a revolution of hunters seeking to take big game animals at ever greater distances. Best of the West offers four fully custom rifle systems including price tags from $12,500 to $15,000 and 150-day delivery dates once all the custom features are agreed upon and building begins. The Best of the West (BOTW) ALTOPO is a little different, including a BOTW rifle, Huskemaw scope, Tally Manufacturing rings, Huskemaw Wind Meter, Boyt lockable hardcase, and two boxes of factory ammunition. This is a complete package, fully assembled and zeroed at the factory to be 1,000-yard and hunt ready upon delivery, but also including an MSRP just south of $7,000. Customers can skip load development and all the range time associated and head straight into the field with this rifle/scope system, prepared to stretch yardage to extremes. Even better, the BOTW ALTOPO is offered in all of the newest PRC cartridge options, including the 6.5, 7, and 300. The test rifle was chambered in 6.5 PRC, a dynamo round that is exceptionally efficient and ballistically talented. It sits between the defunct 6.5 Remington Magnum and 264 Winchester Magnum in powder capacity, yet handily outperforms both while proving conspicuously gentler on the shoulder. The ALTOPO is based on a Bighorn Arms stainless steel action, which holds a 24- inch spiral-fluted stainless steel barrel with suppressor-ready threaded muzzle holding a three-slot brake. The mediumcontour barrel measures .70-inch in diameter just behind the muzzle threads. The trigger is by TriggerTech and broke at a crisp 1.76 pounds with no overtravel. The two-position, right-side safety is a basic Remington M700 style, pushed forward to fire. The bolt cycles while engaged for safe unloading. A rocker button opposite the safety releases the bolt for removal and cleaning. Pressure relief ports are located left and right ahead of the ejection port, beveled to direct escaping gases forward and away from the shooter. The bolt runs buttery smooth without the smallest hint of binding, the bolt body spiral fluted and the head pinned in place. It includes a snap-over claw-type extractor/ejector. The works is bedded into a lightweight McMillan carbon fiber stock, which is decorated with topographical map graphics and sports dual front sling studs, milled-aluminum bottom metal and a soft Pachmayr Decelerator recoil pad. The stock proved ergonomically pleasing, including a raised comb/cheek piece aligning the eye perfectly with the attached scope, and vertical grip with contoured palm swell that proved comfortable off the bench or while shooting prone on a bipod. The forearm and grip areas include decent texturing for a sure grip when wet or while wearing gloves. Length of pull was a smidge more than 13.50 inches, a fairly average LOP sure to fit most customers. The stock is aluminum pillared front and rear, and the recoil-lug and action tang areas glass bedded. The steel magazine is an Accuracy International-style box, released via a knurled tab inside the trigger guard. The action is anchored by two substantial hex-head bolts. The ALTOPO system comes with a By Patrick Meitin Shooting was conducted fro a sturdy portable bench using an MTM Case-Gard rest. Velocities were established with a LabRadar Doppler unit. Handloads were assembled with four hunting bullets and a long-range target option, Berger's 135-grain Classic Hunter relinquishing the best accuracy. Best of the West's ALTOPO rifle is based on a Bighorn Arms stainless steel action and bedded into a McMillan carbon fiber stock. Best of the West ALTOPO System

july 2023 | insidefirearms.com | 47 Best of the West ALTOPO Specifications ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Manufacturer: Best of the West ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Country of Origin: U.S.A. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Action: Bolt-Action, Bighorn Arms Stainless Steel ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Caliber Tested: 6.5 PRC (7 and 300 PRC also available) ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Barrel: Spiral fluted, .70-inch medium contour ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Barrel Length: 24 inches ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Barrel Twist Rate: 1:8 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Magazine Capacity: 3+1 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Safety: Remington M700 Style Side Toggle ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Trigger: TriggerTech Field M700, Adjustable ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Trigger Pull: 1.76 pounds as tested ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Stock: McMillan Lightweight Carbon Fiber ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Weight: 9.5 pounds (scope installed) ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Overall Length: 45 inches ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Sights: No irons, 20 MOA Picatinny Rail ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– MSRP: $6,995 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For more information, call (866) 754-7618 or visit bestofthewestarms.com 26.6-ounce, 13.6-inch long Huskemaw 5-20x50mm Blue Diamond scope known for its hunter-friendly characteristics that help simplify the long-range shooting experience. It was set in sturdy fourscrew Tally Manufacturing Modern Sporting Rings. The 20 MOA Picatinny rail is integral to the Bighorn Arms action. Elevation is easily dialed through the blue Rapid Field Ballistic Compensator (RFBC) top turret created with TrueBC technology, while Huskemaw’s HuntSmart ReticleTM allows precise wind holds. The ALTOPO comes with a capped Huskemaw Dual Stack Turret including outer ring/hash marks for 3,000 feet above sea level, and an inner for 7,000 feet above sea level, keeping shooters on the mark at elevations from 1,000 to 9,000 feet. The turret is calibrated for the provided ammunition and yardages to 1,000 yards—without requiring convoluted mathematical calculations, ballistic charts or apps, or spending hours at the range dialing in. Each revolution of the elevation turret provides 20 MOA of corrections, while providing 80 MOA of total movement in 1/3 MOA clicks. The system’s Huskemaw Wind Meter allows more accurate use of the HuntSmart ReticleTM reticle. Huskemaw provides vividly sharp optics holding multi-coated, high-density Blue Diamond lens treatments for exceptional light transmission free of starbursts or graininess in poor light or at high magnification, while also proving extremely scratch resistant. They are built to withstand the recoil of large magnum cartridges and the hard knocks of hunting, and include 4 inches of eye relief to protect from scope cuts while shooting rifles with aggressive recoil. The 30mm tube is milled from one piece of high-quality aluminum, the second focal plane (SFP) reticle sandwiched between two layers of glass anchored internally with proprietary cement. The turrets include titanium internal springs for unparalleled reliability and precise tracking. Best of the West quotes a 9.5-pound finished weight for the ALTOPO rifle system. The ammunition provided by BOTW was Hornady’s Match holding 147-grain ELD Match bullets, which in my experience perform quite well on deer-sized big game at longer ranges. If you have customers who want to go long without all the tedious pre-hunt effort, Best of the West’s ALTOPO represents a sound investment. left: The BOTW ALTOPO rifle shot its best group using Hornady's 130-grain CX Outfitter factory ammo. right: Berger's 135-grain Classic Hunter and 56.0 grains of Alliant Reloder 26 created this .53-inch group at 3,001 fps. Best of the West ALTOPO - 6.5 PRC Factory Loads ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Measured Extreme 3-shot Load MSRP velocity spread 100-yd. group (grains) (fps) (fps) (inches) ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 130 CX Hornady Outfitter $58.99 2,951 29 .31 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 130 Terminal Ascent Federal Custom Shop $109.99 3,017 21 .63 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 140 Ballistic Tip Nosler Trophy Grade $86.99 2,925 29 .99 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 143 ELD-X Hornady Precision Hunter $54.99 2,935 33 .53 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 147 ELD Match Hornady Match $47.99 2,888 63 .51 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Best of the West ALTOPO - 6.5 PRC Reloads ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Overall 3-shot Bullet Powder Charge length Velocity 100-yd. group (grains) (grains) (inches) (fps) (inches) ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 120 Barnes Tipped TSX H-1000 58.0 2.92 2,969 .79 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 135 Berger Classic Hunter RL-26 56.0 2.935 3,001 .53 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 140 Speer Grand Slam Norma MRP 52.0 2.955 2,834 .63 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 143 Hornady ELD-X StaBALL HD 57.5 2.95 2,742 .74 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 153 Hornady A-Tip VV-N560 50.0 3.03 2,695 .94 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– NOTES: Brass: Lapua. Primer: Federal Premium Gold Metal Match GM210M. Dies: Hornady Custom Grade. Press: Area 419 ZERO Reloading Press. Other: RCBC Universal Hand Priming Tool. All velocities established with a LabRadar Doppler unit. Reloading is potentially dangerous—use due caution. Publisher is not responsible for errors in published load data. Reduce listed loads by 10 percent and work up while watching for excessive pressure signs, as not all firearms chambers are alike.

48 | inside firearms | july 2023

july 2023 | insidefirearms.com | 49 When we moved out of town four years ago, we effectively doubled my drive time to the Central Oregon Shooting Sports Association range. I had the option of shooting on the BLM or National Forest land nearby, but it is nice to belong to a range, especially a place where all the members get the same kind of orientation. And there is a bay or a discipline to serve any kind of shooting I might happen to be interested in, from 3-gun to cowboy action to handgun silhouette to rifle shooting to 1,000 yards. The drive to COSSA is about 39 miles each way, so when I plan a trip I put together a checklist of essential range gear. Of course, the task dictates what I’m going to pack. If I am headed out to a cowboy action shoot, that is a different set of gear than what I pack when going out to swap out a rifle scope on a favorite big game rifle. I’ve found that it makes sense to bring my cleaning supplies along, especially when shooting my blackpowder guns, but also when accuraWhat your customers need to keep shooting cy testing a new rifle or breaking in a fresh barrel. Targets, tacks, tape, and staples. Eyes and ears, and gloves on cold days. Add firewood, starter, and matches on those really cold days. And a tool kit. If I have the tools on hand, I can usually diagnose a firearm problem and make a repair on the spot and get back to shooting. And there is always someone who can use a hand. The range is a good place to make the kinds of friends that last, and those relationships get stronger when you’re the guy with the screwdriver or the Allen wrench. Range boxes and bags keep all this disparate gear organized and easier to toss in the vehicle for a trip to the range, whether ringing steel, punching paper, running against the clock, or whatever your customers are into. Here is some of the latest range gear that every customer will find essential to getting the most enjoyment from their trips to the range this summer and fall. RANGE BAGS AND BOXES n Rothco Rothco’s Tactical Tool Bag was designed for military mechanics, but serves well as a rugged range bag. It includes durable denier polyester construction, is MOLLE compatible and measures 11.25-by-8-by-6.75 inches. It includes a large main zippered compartment perfect for optics, hearing and eye protection and by gary lewis

Range Gear 50 | inside firearms | july 2023 other gear, but also contains individual slots to store tools and other smaller items. It holds three external zippered pouches, two small and one large, plus it features an identification window on the front to hold a range pass or business card. The rear drop-down compartment contains pen/flashlight slots, cards holders, and a removable/ expandable snap closure pouch for extra storage. It also includes a convenient carry handle for easy transport between the vehicle and bench. Learn more by visiting rothco.com. n 5.11 Tactical Whether a customer is carrying gear to the practice range or to the field, a reliable range bag solves a lot of problems. Fully padded and durable with a 600-denier polyester shell, a PE board base, external MOLLE webbing and removable internal dividers, the Tactical Range Ready Trainer Bag can accommodate handguns, ammo boxes, cleaning supplies, electronic calls and other shooting supplies. The leftside pull down pouch and dual rear zippered pouches provide additional storage options. A huge hook and loop panel allows for mounting favorite morale patches. Learn more by visiting 511tactical.com. n GPS Tactical When a customer owns multiple handguns, they can certainly pack each one in a separate gun rug, but a better option is to store all the cargo and accoutrements in a single range bag. The GPS Tactical Range bag offers a solution for up to five handguns. Guns are held in a vertical position for easy access, with added closed cell foam protection around each gun. The front pocket unzips to drop flat on a working surface and comes with six specialized magazine pockets, a padded handgun sleeve and two ammo dump cups. Stick a favorite patch at the top center of the bag to personalize it. Learn more by visiting goutdoorsproducts.com. n MTM Case-Gard MTM Case-Gard has a multitude of firearms- and ammo-storing options, including these highlights. When a favorite customer has a lot of gear, show him the MTM Mule Mobile Gear Crate, which can help cut down the number of trips between the vehicle and shooting bench or home storage area. With an 81-quart volume and built of high-impact polystyrene, it can withstand hard knocks. Two recessed wheels and integrated handles cut down on the heavy lifting. Inside The Mule are dividers that create three compartments, and a large lift-out tray is included. Additional features include an O-ring seal, tiedown points, no-break snap latches and padlock tabs. For the tactical rifle owner or traveling wing-shooter, the Tactical Rifle Crate is an all-in-one option for hunting, shooting and gear storage. Egg shell foam cradles a firearm, and beneath the lift-out tray are two large compartments with removable partitions for customized organization. Finally, shooters love the Ruger 10/22s, arguably America’s most popular .22 LR. But no one loves their 10/22 more than the guy that buys a bull barrel for it and only shoots original equipment rotary mags. That guy needs an MTM 10/22 Rotary Mag Case to hold up to six 10/22 mags. The TMC1022XL is another option for the varmint shooter. It holds up to a dozen Ruger 10/22 extended mags. Learn more by visiting mtmcase-gard.com. n Yeti New for 2023, Yeti offers two new sizes of their GoBox. They are ideal for firstaid kits, camping gear, ammo and trail cameras. Of course, all three of Yeti’s GoBoxes are dust proof, waterproof and exceptionally durable. One of the key features is a recessed lid which stacks very nicely in the retail space as well as at camp, while also proving compatible with each member of the MTM Case-Gard Tactical Rifle Crate MTM Case-Gard Mule Mobile Gear Crate Rothco Tactical Tool Bag 5.11 Tactical Range Ready Trainer Bag GPS Tactical Range Bag