tsra-mar-apr2017

March/April 2017

















new to come



MISSION STATEMENT
The purposes and objectives of the Texas
State Rifle Association are as follows:
Mission I:
To champion and support the rights of
law-abiding Texans to own, enjoy and
use firearms as guaranteed by the State of
Texas and the United States of America.
Mission II:
To protect and defend the inalienable right
of the individual Texan to acquire, possess,
transport, carry, transfer ownership and
enjoy the right to lawful use of firearms
for self-preservation, for defense of family
and property, and for the common defense
of the republic and the individual liberties
of the people.
Mission III:
• To support junior education,
competition and hunter education 16
programs.
• To declare a state champion in the March/April 2017
various competitions.
• To support Texas state teams at the 16 The Rise of 80
national championships.
We will accomplish this: Percent Firearms
• By defending constitutional rights;
Do-It-Yourself 80 percent firearm builds
• By supporting and promoting public
safety, law and order, and national defense; represent a great chance to increase
• By providing training and education
to firearms owners and the public, your gun knowledge, and they are
with a special emphasis on youth;
becoming more and more popular.
• By educating the public in the spirit
and letter of the law;
• By promoting hunter safety, 20 Trends & Treasures
wildlife conservation and wise use
of our natural resources; Hot rounds, holsters, and handguns.
• By sponsoring competitive programs for 20
juniors and adults in individual and team Oh my! Check out some of the new
shooting sports; and
• By educating the public on the laws 26 trends and treasures for 2017.
and proposed legislation that conflict
with the spirit and letter of the
constitutions of the State of Texas 26 Scholarship Update
and the United States of America.
Texas State Rifle Association TSRA announces the 2017-2017
8411 N. IH-35
Austin, Texas 78753 scholarship winners.
Phone 512.615.4200
Fax 512.615.4123
Membership Hotline:
1.866.TX RIFLE or
1.866.897.4353 DEPARTMENTS
CMP Affiliation #45036 4 President’s Message 14 Legislative Report 38 Advertisers Index
www.tsra.com
www.tsrapac.com 6 Executive Director Message 19 TSRA Membership 38 Directors Index
8 Calendar of Events 30 Gun Collectors Corner
10 Firing Range 32 Hunting Texas


March/April 2017 | 3

President’s Message


Calling All Shooters


By Dorcia Meador




y name is Dorcia Meador and I look forward to moving TSRA
MI am the new president of the into the future with the assistance of
Texas State Rifle Association. I look the TSRA staff and officers who work
forward to assuming my new position hard every day for our members. While
but that doesn’t mean I am new to looking forward, I think it is important
TSRA or to the multiple issues that face to look back — at the contributions and
shooters and supporters of the Second leadership of our retiring president, Dan and encourage them to join.
Amendment. Butts. Dan has been a tireless president, It will take all of us to help grow
I have been a member of TSRA one who worked diligently to keep TSRA this organization and to secure our
since 1986 and began serving on the moving forward and to address the ability to defend our families and to stop
board of directors in 1991. I retired concerns of our organization. Thank you those who seek to limit our rights. Now,
from the Fort Worth Police Department for your service, Dan. go out there and sign up a new member!
in 2010 after 31 years and served the I believe the TSRA has the potential
last 14 years as range master for the to become stronger and more effective
department. in defending our rights as well as
In addition, I’ve been a competitive fostering education about gun safety and
shooter since 1985. Currently, I am an competitive shooting. In order to achieve
adjunct instructor with two different these goals, we need your support and
groups teaching firearms training all that of your friends, neighbors and co-
over the country. workers. Please tell them about TSRA


We’re Building a Long-Lasting
Legacy for Texas Gun Owners
One Brick at a Time














Thanks to a generous gift from the William T. Clarke, Jr. Estate, the Texas State Rifle Association has developed the
“Bull & Bricks Building Campaign.” This campaign will help us create the Donor Brick Plaza at the TSRA Headquarters in
Austin with a Legacy Snortin’ Bull as the center piece. Funds raised by this campaign will be used to pay off the mortgage
on the TSRA Headquarters and also create a fund to help with costs associated with building maintenance.

Members may purchase bricks to honor TSRA and/or to memorialize a loved one who strongly believed in the Second
Amendment. Members may order their brick online at: http://tsramembers.com/members/brick.aspx.

The bricks come in either 4X4 or 8X8 and have the option of including one of the twenty-five pre-selected clipart pieces
or a corporate logo.

If you need a printed order form or have any questions about the Bull & Bricks Building Campaign, please contact
Justin Williamson at 512-615-4111 or email [email protected].


4 | TSRA Sportsman



Executive Director’s Message


No Time to Relax


By Doug DuBois, Jr.




s we witnessed an historic always, with the 85th session of the
Aelection in November last year, Texas Legislature. We have a long list of
we also witnessed a dramatic drop in pro-gun bills she is working on, as well
membership. as a list of anti-gun bills to be defeated.
Between November last year and As Alice will tell you, “We
Feb. 1, 2017, we experienced a drop have strength in numbers.” We are
of nearly 2,000 members. We can grassroots Texans fighting the fight join us by supporting the Bull & Bricks
only surmise these individuals felt for our rights. Please encourage your Building Campaign, as well as
comfortable with Donald Trump being family and friends to join or renew their becoming a member of the Alamo
elected as President of the United States membership in the Texas State Rifle Society with an easily manageable
and feeling the threat to gun ownership Association. monthly gift to TSRA.
in Texas, as well as the country, would Thank you to everyone who We will also be reaching out for
be curtailed for at least four years. attended the 2017 Annual General volunteer support across the state as our
In my time as executive director, Meeting in Round Rock last month. We team of regional directors lead the way.
I’ve tried not to use situational issues as were blessed to have a great turnout Please let us know how you can help.
a reason for membership in the Texas and honored to have Attorney General
State Rifle Association. We want to Ken Paxton as our keynote speaker,
earn your membership with the positive with his message of upholding state
work we do with the Texas Legislature, statutes for the safety of all Texans. We
as well as with shooting sports groups also enjoyed the visits we had with Sen.
across the state. We did not want the John Cornyn and Sen. Ted Cruz, who
possibility of an alternative election have been past keynote speakers and Execdiretsra.com
result to be the reason membership in great fans of TSRA. The annual meeting
the TSRA would spike in 2017, but as also a time for awards, including
we also did not believe we would see a recognizing State Senator Brian Birdwell
five percent drop in the three months (R-Granbury) as our Doc Brown
following the elections. Legislator of the Year. Saturday night
With the historic win of the White was filled with awards for our Adult
House by Republicans, there is even Service Rifle Gold Team, Junior Service
more reason to believe the gun control Rifle Team, Cowboy Lever Action
fight will be intensifying in Texas. shooters and so many more.
Billionaire Michael Bloomberg will not You will see all the highlights of the
rest easy having lost the White House AGM in the May/June issue of TSRA
last year and his unlimited billions of Sportsman.
dollars will be used to chip away at Thank you to Immediate
rights at the state house level. Past President Dan Butts for your
Our well respected TSRA Legislative commitment to TSRA, culminating in
Director, Alice Tripp, has pointed out the your two-year term as president.
continued campaigns by Moms Demand You have left an indelible mark on
Action for Gun Sense in America this association and we are all better
are funded by Everytown USA, an off for it.
organization bankrolled by Bloomberg. Welcome aboard President Dorica
So, it is no time to relax and feel our Meador. We have a lot to accomplish in
gun rights are not being threatened. the next two years as we prepare for our
Alice is doing a phenomenal job, as Centennial Celebration in 2019. Please



6 | TSRA Sportsman

March/April 2017 | 7

Calendar of Events



March 18-19, 2017 April 8-9, 2017 May 6-7, 2017
Saxet Gun Show Dallas Arms Collectors Saxet Gun Show Contacts
McAllen Convention Center Association – Gun Show San Antonio Events Center
McAllen, Texas Dallas Market Center San Antonio, Texas President:
Dallas, Texas Dorcia Meador
Premier Gun Shows 2017 Texas State Granbury, 817-996-6768
Freeman Coliseum Expo Hall Paso Del Norte Gun Outdoor Conventional [email protected]
San Antonio, Texas Collectors Gun Show Pistol Championship First Vice President:
El Maida Shrine Temple Amarillo Rifle & Pistol Club Kenneth Gaby
Permian Basin Gun Show El Paso, Texas Amarillo, Texas Belton, 254-718-3115
Ector County Coliseum [email protected]
Grounds April 21-23, 2017 June 3-4, 2017
Odessa, Texas 2017 Texas State Indoor Saxet Gun Show Second Vice President:
Wayne Nunn
Conventional Pistol San Antonio Events Center Boerne, 210-381-1919
Silver Spur Trade Shows Championship San Antonio, Texas [email protected]
Gillespie County Fairgrounds Amarillo Rifle & Pistol Club
Fredericksburg, Texas Amarillo, Texas June 10-11, 2017 Treasurer:
Premier Gun Show Odie Hitt
March 25-26, 2017 April 22-23, 2017 Pasadena Convention Center Gilmer, 903-235-5546
[email protected]
Saxet Gun Show Saxet Gun Show Pasadena, Texas
Richard M. Borchard Richard M. Borchard Secretary:
Fairgrounds - Robstown Fairgrounds - Robstown June 17-18, 2017 Darryl Valdes
Corpus Christi, Texas Corpus Christi, Texas Premier Gun Show Tomball, 832-723-5665
at Big Town [email protected]
Premier Gun Shows Premier Gun Shows Big Town Event Center General Counsel:
Big Town Event Center Big Town Event Center Mesquite, Texas Sean Healy
Mesquite, Texas Mesquite, Texas Tyler, 903.592.7566
San Antonio [email protected]
2017 F-Class Rifle Team April 28-30, 2017 Gun Show Executive Director:
Mid-Range Qualifying 2017 Cowboy Action & Freeman Coliseum Expo Hall Doug DuBois, Jr.
Match Wild Bunch Texas State San Antonio, Texas Austin, 512.615.4116
Panola County Gun Club Championship cell: 512.826.2472
Carthage, Texas The Ormsby Ranch June 24-25, 2017 [email protected]
Cleburne, Texas The Original
March 31-April 2, 2017 Fort Worth Legislative Director:
Alice Tripp
2017 Texas State Black April 29-30, 2017 Gun Show Paige, 512.253.9032
Powder Cartridge Rifle Premier Gun Shows Will Rogers Center cell: 972.979.8616
Silhouette Championship Mesquite Convention Center Fort Worth, Texas [email protected]
Mesquite, Texas
April 1-2, 2017 Director of Communications:
Saxet Gun Show Silver Spur Trade Shows Justin W. Williamson
Austin, 512.615.4111
San Antonio Events Center Lubbock Civic Center cell: 512.720.1649
San Antonio, Texas Lubbock, Texas [email protected]

Premier Gun Shows 2017 Texas State Executive Assistant:
Premier Event Center Cowboy Rifle Silhouette Jan Jumper
Lewisville Championship Austin, 512.615.4113
Lewisville, Texas Austin Rifle Club [email protected]
Austin, Texas Foundation:
Silver Spur Trade Shows Angela Gerlich
The Midland Horseshoe 512.615.4115
Pavilion [email protected]
Midland, Texas


8 | TSRA Sportsman

March/April 2017 | 9

Firing Range



Texas Leads in Second Amendment Rights


exas always leads in protecting the rights of gun owners.
TRecently, Gov. Greg Abbott led a coalition of nine governors
in filing an Amici Curae — or friend of the court brief — to the
United States Supreme Court in the case of Edward Peruta;
Michelle Laxson; James Dodd; Dr. Leslie Buncher; Mark
Cleary; California Rifle And Pistol Association v. the County
of San Diego. At stake is whether Californians, and citizens of
other states traveling in California, can exercise their Second
Amendment right to carry a concealed handgun.
“The question presented is whether the State of California
can single out one group of disfavored citizens-namely, gun
owners-and impose unique burdens on their fundamental
rights,” reads the brief. “If this were a case about speech, the
right to counsel, or any of the myriad rights protected by the
Fourteenth Amendment, every federal court in this country
would reject California’s arguments out of hand. Indeed, no
other group of private citizens has to prove-to the satisfaction of
a government official vested with unreviewable and boundless
discretion-that they really need to exercise their fundamental Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, South Carolina and South Dakota.
constitutional freedoms.” The brief concludes by pointing out that the Constitution
Gov. Abbott previously took action on this lawsuit in exists to protect citizen’s rights from a government that would
April 2015, when he filed an Amicus Brief making a parallel seek to take them away. “It might be true that statewide elected
argument. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals later held there officials in California have strong political incentives to infringe
is no Constitutional right to carry a concealed handgun and ‘the right of the people to keep and bear Arms.’ U.S. Const.
citizens must show “good cause” before they can obtain such a amend. II. But the Constitution never was intended to disappear
license. Following the ruling, the case was elevated to the U.S. where policymakers in Sacramento find it inconvenient, nor
Supreme Court. Joining Gov. Abbott in objecting to the Ninth was it intended to protect only those rights that enjoy popular
Circuit’s ruling were the governors of Arkansas, Arizona, Iowa, support or universal acceptance.”



Ending Carry Fees The TSRA Sportsman is the
official publication of the
Texas State Rifle Association
(TSRA). It is published
bi-monthly. Reproduction in
riority legislation which should whole is strictly forbidden;
no part of this publication
Phave an early committee may be reproduced without written permission of the editor.
Possession and/or ownership of firearms is subject to various
hearing and needs your help is SB federal, state and local restrictions. Buying, carrying or using a firearm
16 by Sen. Nichols/Sen. Huffman. without compliance with local, state and federal law is a crime. It is
This bill is strongly supported by your legal responsibility to learn and obey the laws that apply in your
area. This publication does not suggest that anyone purchase, maintain
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, saying Texans or use a firearm for any unlawful reason. We write expressly for the
should not be forced to pay for a individual who has already considered the safety, moral and legal issues
surrounding firearm ownership and use.
Opinions expressed herein by authors and/or the editor are
constitutional right. not necessarily those of the Texas State Rifle Association. Due to
SB 16 is identical to two House space limitations, articles cannot explore every aspect of a given
Bills, HB 339 by Rep. Burrows and HB 1024 by Rep. topic; therefore, the reader is advised to consult local legal and law
enforcement authorities for further information and clarification. Neither
Kacal. All versions remove the state fees for license to the TSRA nor the editor is responsible for any event, positive or negative,
that might occur based on information, opinions or recommendations
carry. The amount paid to the state has been in statute contained herein.
All submitted articles and letters to the editor will be
since 1995, before the first license was issued, before considered for publication. Mail submissions to 8411 N. IH 35
technology updates and streamlining. Texans have one of Austin, TX 78753 or email [email protected]. Editor reserves the
the most expensive handgun licenses in the country. right to edit all submissions for content, format and length. The TSRA
is a 501(c)(4) organization. Contributions to TSRA or the TSRA-PAC
are not tax deductible.


10 | TSRA Sportsman

Firing Range



A Sterling Record


tate Rep. James White (District 19) in your vehicle without a license, and licensed open carry.
Shas served in the Texas House for Kudo’s also to the Texas Legislature and Lt. Gov. Dan
many years with an excellent voting Patrick for taking-on the removal of the fee to the state for the
record on Second Amendment issues. License to Carry. This is definitely a major step in the
Also, the TSRA extends ‘thank right direction.
yous’ to Terry Holcomb, founder of Texas Support for the passage of Constitutional Carry is
Carry. Holcomb was elected to the State mounting and TSRA is working with other grassroots groups to
Republican Executive Committee (SREC) get the job done.
last summer. The Republican Party
added constitutional carry to its platform and went on to — Alice Tripp, TSRA Legislative Director
announce the issue as a top priority for the 2017 session.
TSRA fully supports Rep. James White and the next step
toward full restoration of gun rights for Texans, with the
filing of HB1911.
Texans lost the right to carry a handgun with few
exceptions in the 1870s when Texas was still under Union
control. The passage of SB 60 by Sen. Jerry Patterson in 1995
was the first step toward recovering the right to possession of a
handgun. There have been many additional steps over the past
10 years, including streamlining the handgun license, carrying

















































March/April 2017 | 11

Firing Range



Texas Excels in Youth Competition


hooters from across the State of Texas are highly competitive
Sin small-bore and air rifle competitions. Starting with the
3- Position championship last fall at the Copperhead Creek Gun
Club of Marble Falls, Texas, all of the winners were girls and all
were from Texas.
Guy Taylor took home the top expert award for the
expert class at Lonnes Wigger, Firecracker 4800 at the NRA
Whittington Center in Raton, New Mexico held last summer.
During the 2016 USA Shooting Junior Olympic
Championships Jacob Buchannan of Conroe, Texas, finished
third in air rifle; Mindy Miles of Weatherford, Texas, won the
women’s air rifle event; Rhiann Travis of Springtown, Texas,
finished third; and Ariel Hall of North Richland Hills, Texas,
finished third in her class in women’s air rifle.
The Texas Junior Olympic tryouts were also held at TCU,
University of Texas at El Paso, and The Amarillo Gun Club in If the competitor shoots at or above the pre-declared score they
January The Texas State Rifle Association sponsored the event receive an automatic invitation to compete at the National Junior
and Texas tied with Pennsylvania for the highest number to Olympic Championship in Colorado Springs, Colo. This year’s
qualify for the national event. There are four competitions in competition saw a record number of competitors in attendance as
rifle including men’s small-bore 3-Position, Women’s Small-bore well as record numbers of shooters reaching both the auto-invite
3-Position, as well as Men’s International Air Rifle and Women’s score and the additional first round of invitations.
International Air Rifle. Each event is identical to the Olympic Texas youth also competed in the 2016 Rocky Mountain
matches. Each competition is given an automatic invitation score Championship and against numerous NCAA teams. For more
to challenge the competitor to reach the highest score possible. information, viisit www.tsra.com











































12 | TSRA Sportsman

March/April 2017 | 13

Legislative News


Loss of Gun Rights


By Alice Gene Tripp




n the 1870’s with Texas still under and only concealed. Law Enforcement
IUnion control, Texans lost the right to and liberals predicted, ‘There will be
having a metallic cartridge handgun, on blood in the streets.’
or about their person, except on property Of course, that never happened and
they owned or was under their control today, more than 20 years later, DPS
or unless they were traveling. Handguns has issued more than one million active
only, never long guns. Metallic cartridge handgun licenses, now called a License handgun to 34 states. We have instate
handguns were restricted in statute at to Carry. mobility with personal protection here at
that time when this type of handgun The first license was issued in home and when we travel.
was relatively new, not widely available, 1996 and as the population of Texas
and when the population of the state grew, the number of licensees grew
was 1.5 million people or fewer. as well. Among other benefits, the More Steps to
The recently reorganized Texas license provided for crime statistics and Restoring Our Lost Right
Rangers were busy cleaning up the today licensees are 21 times less likely Another step toward restoration
state, post-Civil War, meaning deserters to commit a crime than the general came in 2007, when TSRA fixed the
from armies, roaming criminal gangs, population. Pretty impressive statistics! confusing traveling exception. The new
and the last of the Comanche and Since that time, TSRA has worked Car Carry law provided Texans, eligible
Cherokee Indians. to improve the CHL.The term for the to purchase and possess a handgun,
license was expanded to five years the ability to have a handgun stored
out of sight in their personal vehicle
TSRA is a your Second Amendment organization. without a license. The following
session (2009) the law was broadened
We don’t simply go-along to getalong, to include watercraft as well as RVs,
and travel trailers, all viewed as an
but we work within the Legislature extension of your home. We no longer
worried about a court’s definition for the
and through the legislative process to get word ‘traveling’ and critics called this
‘constitutional carry light.’
Law Enforcement groups wanted
all that’s available to move the ball forward. the requirements for ‘Car Carry’ to
include luggage or the person must
cross county lines. My tongue in cheek
First Step to from renewal to renewal, instead of the response was always, ‘East Texas
Reclaiming the Right original four. counties or West Texas counties?’ A
Not long ago, the number of class

Texan is either legal and eligible or
The first real step toward restoring hours was reduced from 10 to four they’re not. A criminal doesn’t worry
this right to move about the State with without changing the required materials about being legal.
a handgun finally came about in 1995 or the exam. This was the same year Which brings up another problem.
with the passage of SB 60, Concealed that State Rep. Dan Flynn passed law to Although the Texas License To Carry
Carry, a bipartisan issue, vetoed two remove the requirement for a renewal (LTC, aka CHL) is good law, and was a
years earlier by Gov. Ann Richards class. Before this, DPS had run many net step forward, it’s elitist. The issuance
and signed into law by Gov. George W. months behind on license renewals. of a Texas LTC goes beyond passing the
Bush. The final passage of Concealed Attorney General Greg Abbott took FBI fingerprint background check and
Carry law meant that for the first time over negotiating reciprocal agreements well beyond the NICS check required to
the general population could legally with other states and today we can purchase a firearm from a dealer. This is
carry a handgun, but only with a license safely travel with our state license and a one reason Texans carry on an out of



14 | TSRA Sportsman

state license. Again they can pass a fingerprint background
check, they could be a Class 3 dealer and sell machine guns but
could not obtain a Texas handgun license. As a matter of fact
this actually happened.
Some, but not all, of those early licensing standards have
been revisited and removed. For instance, at one time, if a
prospective licensee had accepted a deferred adjudication of guilt
for any reason, that person did not qualify for a Texas CHL.
The only remedy was with a pardon. The same was true if your
conviction had been ‘set aside’ by the courts, or removed in
some other way other than by a pardon.
We’ve spent 20 years doing clean up and there’s
more to do.
Personal Protection is a basic human right and then there’s
the Second Amendment! But, the State of Texas chooses who is
eligible to obtain a handgun license and who is not.
Remember the passage of SB 60 and concealed handgun
law was uncharted territory in 1995 for Texans.

The Next Step to
Restoring Handgun Rights!

The next step forward passed during the 2015 session.
Rep. George Lavendar filed the Licensed Open Carry bill in 2011
and again in 2013. He was a freshman in 2011. His bill was
never heard in committee during either session. In March 2014
Representative Lavender lost his bid for reelection during the
Primary. TSRA strongly had supported his reelection.
Later in 2014, a good source shared that the House wanted
to pass Licensed Open Carry. Be still my beating heart!
Rep. Larry Phillips, a senior House member and a friend,
took on the issue. He was chosen by the Speaker to be the
chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security and
Public Safety: House bill 910 was going to move! There would
be a lot of drama but the House persevered, TSRA members
persevered, and Gov. Abbott signed House Bill 910 Licensed
Open Carry, into law. Six months later, Senate State Affairs
Committee held an interim study on the implementation of HB
910, licensed open carry and major city law enforcement groups
reported no problems, no issues, with open carry.

This Session and Hope
for the Next Step
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick asked Sen. Robert Nichols to take on
and to file SB 16 as priority legislation. SB 16 would remove the
fee to the State for the license to carry. The basic $140 for the
first license and $70 for renewal were put into statute before the
first license was issued and the fees have never been revised or
revisited.




continued on page 34


March/April 2017 | 15

Do-It-Yourself 80 percent firearm builds represent


a great chance to increase your gun knowledge,


and they are becoming more and more popular.





By Joshua Stevens





or as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated with the
Kalashnikov family of firearms. As a teenager on the cusp of legally transitioning to
manhood, I decided to practice my American rights by purchasing my first rifle. Naturally, I
Fgravitated toward the AK style of firearms. Being a few weeks from high school graduation
and perpetually broke, I aspired to get the best deal I could while getting a quality firearm. During
the weeks between deciding to buy a rifle and actually turning 18, I had time to scour every gun

publication I could get my hands on in an attempt to make an informed decision. During my search,
I came across these AK kits that, for between $59.99 and $99.99, promised a truly custom, one-
of-a-kind rifle on a budget. My interest was piqued, to say the least. In the end, though, I settled on
an unconverted, plain Saiga AK and plunged headfirst into kitchen-table gunsmithing. But in the
back of my mind, I never forgot those alluring jumbles of Cosmoline-soaked parts, nor would I forget
the promise of a cheap, built-at-home rifle. Back then, the Internet wasn’t anything close to what
it is today, and finding information on how to make a kit actually work was nearly impossible, so I



16 | TSRA Sportsman

Editor’s Note: This article is the winning submission of
a student writing contest that Sonoran Desert Institute
(SDI) conducted in partnership with Gun Digest.






shelved the idea for the time being.
Years later, I was still a single young man, but I now had a job for Uncle Sam and a check burning

a hole in my pocket. In my mind, the only reasonable thing to do with that money was to buy guns.
Once again, I saw those kits. They cost a little more by this time, but it was still a negligible price
at most. I did some more research on the subject and decided that while I was living in a military
barrack, there was no way I could turn these kits into guns without losing my job or facing felony
charges. Then, two years ago, I finally had the money, a house, and the information I needed to
make this dream of building my own AKM a reality. Anyone who knows me understands I m not a
man who jumps into something without careful consideration; this project was no different. I spent

years learning everything I could, carefully building a tool list, making sure every angle was covered
and every part accounted for. And finally, after years of dreaming about it, the big day came.


March/April 2017 | 17

I was hiding behind my truck, a length of paracord held tightly
in my hand, the other end tied off to an ugly hunk of metal —
vaguely resembling an AKM — securely attached to a wooden
pallet. When that first shot rang out in the hot desert air, I knew
instantly that I was hooked. I had just built my own firearm
from chunks of metal in a box, and it hadn t killed me.
To this day, I refuse to tally up how much I spent on
building that rifle, partially because I don t want my wife
to have another reason to kill me, but also because I don’t
care. Conservatively speaking, I would estimate that in tools,
refinishing products, gauges, and everything else, I spent
approximately three times the cost of a nice factory rifle.
Holding in your hands a fully functional rifle that you built
yourself is an indescribable feeling that, in my mind, was worth
every penny I’d spent and then some.
During the course of this project, I’ve had the pleasure of
meeting many firearms enthusiasts who have freely offered
more advice than I could have ever wanted on the subject,
and who continue to be a source of guidance and inspiration.
This growing community of 80 percent builders has caused no
shortage of controversy. In 2014, a California senator famously
humiliated himself while making a speech regarding the danger
of what he called ghost guns. While his speech was filled with
ignorant comments and blatant lies, he succeeded in garnering
negative attention from a number of gun control groups toward
the gun-building community.
For the sake of argument, I would like to clearly define
what exactly an 80 percent firearm really is. Legally, the only
part considered a regulated firearm is the receiver. A receiver is
defined differently depending on the firearm, but it s generally
the one part that holds the trigger, chamber and magazine
all together so the firearm can actually function. Think of the
receiver as the heart and soul of the firearm. Because of its
essential role, the federal government defines it as the one
essential part that is legally regulated the same as a finished
firearm. This means that everything else is just a part and
completely unregulated. A receiver generally looks like a hunk
of oddly shaped metal with holes drilled in specific places and
a serial number prominently located in a visible area. This is
considered a finished 100-percent receiver, and it requires a
background check and Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder to
transfer it to the new owner.
An 80 percent receiver is, as the name would suggest,
an unfinished receiver. In the eyes of the law, it is a hunk of
metal that in its current form is unable to be used as a firearm.
Normally, an 80 percent receiver design is submitted to the
BATFE for approval before being sold to the public to ensure
it cannot easily be converted into a functional firearm. As a
general rule, 80 percent receivers require specialized tools, a
solid foundation in the fundamentals of firearm mechanics, and
careful construction. They’re not for the faint of heart.

continued on page 35


18 | TSRA Sportsman

March/April 2017 | 19

Hot rounds, holsters, and handguns. Oh my!

Check out some of the new trends and treasures for 2017.

































Pistolero .45LC

by Cimarron Firearms



If you’re inspired by the Old West, this new offering by
Cimarron Firearms is a must. This sleek classic design conjures
images of dusty trails and the Old West. It is extremely
well-balanced for accurate shooting and affordably
priced. Perfect for target shooters, historic reenactors, and
Old West firearms collectors. Length: 4 3/4 in. Caliber: 45LC.
www.cimarronfirearms.com





20 | TSRA Sportsman

Telos

by G2 Research


Stop the fight at an affordable price. The Telos bullet
features a solid copper (lead-free) slug and a huge internally
segmented hollow-point. Once the hollow point fills with
fluid, the bullet flies apart, releasing six-fragmented copper
petals which spread inside the target for several inches.
The bullet’s base continues to travel forward for additional
penetration (10+-inches). The Telos bullet is designed
to stay inside the target releasing all of its energy, not
into an innocent bystander on the other side of the
target. Available in 9mm +p (92gr) , 38spcl+p (105gr),
and 357mag.(105 gr).
www.g2rammo.com







Bill Wilson Carry ll Pistol

by Wilson Combat



An updated version of Bill Wilson’s
personal carry gun with his preferred
performance options and initials on the
slide. Available in 45 ACP and 9mm
calibers, the Bill Wilson Carry II is updated
with the X-TAC frame texture for a solid
grip in extreme range conditions.
www.wilsoncombat.com



























March/April 2017 | 21

MK Scoped Holster

by Classic Old West Styles



Made for both the standard and target version of the
MK firearm, the MK Scoped Holster features a special
leather scope cut-out which keeps your holster
secure without adding extra weight. Top grain leather
holster accommodates the full barrel, competition
and hunter models. The best feature is out specially
constructed internal sight rail that wont break off your
front sight. Stock length is for a 5 1/2-in. barrel.
Holster fits up to a two-inch belt and is available in
natural, russet brown and black. The mag pouch fits
after market magazine catches. www.cows.com



































AKM 7.62x39
by High Standard



This firearm features U.S. manufactured parts that include
fully heat treated 1mm stamped metal receiver, barrel with
hard chrome bore, trigger, hammer and disconnector. The
polymer furniture is a great addition to the firearm to lighten
the weight, add ergonomic and comfort features, and the
ability to add a light and other accessories to the handguard.
Phosphate finish or a KG GUN performance enhancement
coating for Black, FDE, OD Olive. www.highstandard.com






22 | TSRA Sportsman

MK Scoped Holster

by Classic Old West Styles

LM4 Simmerling
Made for both the standard and target version of the
MK firearm, the MK Scoped Holster features a special by American
leather scope cut-out which keeps your holster
secure without adding extra weight. Top grain leather Derringer
holster accommodates the full barrel, competition
and hunter models. The best feature is out specially
constructed internal sight rail that wont break off your One of the smallest .45 ACP’s ever made.
front sight. Stock length is for a 5 1/2-in. barrel. This incredible vest pocket pistol has a 5-shot
Holster fits up to a two-inch belt and is available in capacity, and the first round is carried in the
natural, russet brown and black. The mag pouch fits chamber ready for instant use just like a revolver
after market magazine catches. www.cows.com or a larger frame .45 Auto. The LM4 weighs in at
just 24 oz., and is only 5.2 x 3.7 inches in size
with a thickness of 1 inch.
www.amderringer.com





































D-790 Night Vision Sight

by Bering Optics



The D-790 Series night vision sight is a high-power 6.0x sight that is superior for medium- and long-range
engagements. Offered with green phosphor or white phosphor image intensifier tube and features high definition
(HD) multicoated optics that provides 20 percent better recognition and detection ranges than NV systems
with standard optics. Manual gain control to manually adjust the image brightness depending in the
ambient light conditions and a dual color Mil-Dot red-on-green or yellow-on-green reticle with adjustable
brightness. Water-, dust- and shock-proof. www.beringoptics.com



March/April 2017 | 23

BDR-103G Rifle

by F-1 Firearms


The F-1 Firearms BDR-10 3G Rifle chambered in .308 WIN or 6.5 Creedmoor is not for the faint of heart. Designed from the
DPMS (High) standard this rifle offers designated marksmen and snipers alike sub MOA accuracy and the F-1 Firearms high-
end premium touches — DLC bolt carrier group; Match grade stainless 1-10 twist 16-inch barrel; oversized trigger guard; Raptor
Ambidextrous charging handle and more. www.f-1firearms.com








Gen 2 Bullets

by Precision Bullets


For reloaders, the new and improved Gen 2 Coating by Precision
Bullets means cleaner hands, cleaner barrel, less smoke and less
fouling. These bullets are swaged with certified 6/2 lead alloy and
then applied with Precision’s unique dry-lube formula, a process
which completely encases the lead core. What does this mean for
you? Safe for indoor ranges. No leading in the barrel. Fire more
rounds downrange between cleanings. Load twice as long and
twice as much before cleaning your dies. Less smoke since no
messy wax lubricants are used. www.precisionbullets.com





Tactical Series T1 1-4x24

by Rudolph Optics


Perfect for 3-Gun competition, CQB and big game stalking,
the Rudolph Optics model T1 1-4x24mm IR FFP
tactical scope by Rudolph Optics features a sleek new
look with 24 MOA of sub-tension adjustment.The NEW
T8 FFP reticle gets the job done with ease of use. This
scope has been tested in the harshest conditions by competitive shooters, law enforcement and weekend warriors. The 1x
magnification allows for close in, both eye open shooting. The 4x magnification allows for engagement of targets out to
450 yards. Superb optical glass, allowing over 98 percent light transmission coupled with high performance multi coatings,
allows for maximum low light and anti-glare performance. Illumination dial is set up to turn off every other click, so your
favorite setting is only one click away. Texas-based company offers a Lifetime Warranty. www.rudolphoptics.com



24 | TSRA Sportsman

TSRA Business
Members
Receive 10%
Discount






















For Advertising Information, Contact
TSRA Sales Representative John Meng at
512.778.9292 • [email protected]



January/February 2017 | 25

Rachel Garner






John Burton












Madeline Louise Jones















Zachary John Roger Williams
Mindy Miles


26 | TSRA Sportsman

ince 2009, the TSRA Scholarship Committee has awarded and
administered approximately $52,000 in George Tubb Scholarships,
$16,000 in NRA Foundation scholarships, and $12,000 in TSRA

SFoundation Scholarships. The TSRA Scholarship Committee also
assists the TSRA Foundation Board in soliciting scholarship applications and
makes recommendations to the Board on recipients for the newly established

TSRA Foundation William T. Clarke, Jr. Scholarships.
TSRA initiated the George Tubb Scholarship Program in 1999 at Texas A&M
University (TAMU) in memory of TSRA Past-President George E. Tubb (TAMU

class of 1945). The TSRA contributed $5,000 to start the endowed fund at
TAMU and many TSRA members contributed. The funds are managed and
invested by the TAMU Foundation.
The first scholarship was awarded when the endowed fund reached a

balance of $25,000. The fund did not really start growing until our legislative
directors (Doc Brown and Alice Tripp) got the Texas Legislature to approve
legislation that directed TSRA custom license plate proceeds to go to two places,

one-half to the Tubb Endowed Scholarship fund at TAMU and one-half to the
Texas 4-H shooting program. The endowed Tubb scholarship fund at the TAMU
Foundation has now grown to more than $155,000.

TSRA normally awards three or four $2,000 George Tubb Memorial
Scholarships each year to Texas A&M University (TAMU) students. This has
been a successful scholarship program. We’ve had a little extra money in

the past few years due to mid-term graduation of some recipients. The total
amount of money awarded as scholarships prior to 2009 is vaguely known,
but initially there was only one or two scholarships per year. As the scholarship
endowment at Texas A&M University has grown, the number of scholarships

awarded continues to grow.
For two years, 2009 and 2010, the TSRA Scholarship Committee also

administered $16,000 in NRA scholarship grants from the North Texas Friends
of NRA Committee. When the TSRA Foundation was established, the fund-
raising dinner at the TSRA annual meeting changed from an NRA FNRA
Fundraiser to the TSRA Foundation Fundraiser, creating Foundation funds for

Youth Shooting Sports and scholarships. The TSRA Foundation funded $4,000
in scholarships in 2011-2012 to two very qualified students who had received
NRA scholarships the year before and in 2016-2017 is funding three $2,000

William T. Clarke, Jr. Scholarships. continued on page 36


March/April 2017 | 27

Austin, TX 78709-0095


28 | TSRA Sportsman

March/April 2017 | 29

Gun Collectors Corner



Collecting in 2017

By: Daryl Valdes




am reading stories that proclaim 2017 price of $2,500. Not cheap in the era of
I will be a year of contraction for the $399 AR’s, but, if you are looking for a
firearms industry because the collective genuine Colt roll marked early pattern
wisdom is that we are ‘safe’ — safe M16 semi-auto, then it looks like the
because we have President Trump. As market is turning your way.
a result, the firearms manufacturers are Another option is now available
expected to see slower demand. from Troy, with its lineup of four Retro company would re-introduce the Python
There is likely a lot of truth to this AR’s. Troy started with a USAF GAU-5/ series, That would be innovative and a
and it will be the efficient and innovative A/A; then a copy of the XM177E2, both wise choice. Who else can we hope could
firearm manufacturer that lives to sell with touches like early grey parkerizing, re-introduce something we all loved but
another day. Remember, my guidance two-position coated metal butt stocks, sold or couldn’t afford at the time?
to ‘buy when it’s quiet.’ Now, it is quiet ‘Property of US Govt.’ roll marking, For starters, Buck Knives should
again. the infamous 4.5-in. Moderator, 12-in. bring back their Rambo era Buckmaster
AR-patterned firearms are seen as barrels etc. The company’s website lists knife. Gerber should release its MK2
low as $399 and ammo is in oversupply, four models up to the addition of a MK12 knives for a new generation. I would
so in 2017 go out and find something Mod 1 used by the elite in the recent Gulf also add that HK should do another
from your local small dealer with a brick Wars. Rifles start at $1,199. run of their HK P7 series and produce
and mortar store. Online is great for These new models coming to stateside its roller locked 90 series rifles.
pricing, but you lose out on the sensory the market will enable the veteran an Can we also get some pistols without
elements of visiting your local shop, the opportunity to have what they used the confounded 1913 accessory rails!
creeks of the floor, the smells both good in uniform minus the happy switch! I Berretta how about a run of Model 89
and bad, the old industry signage and of list these models as they are examples target pistols? Write me and tell me which
model you would like to see made again?
Now, let’s talk ammo, we all
Hopefully, Ruger and Colt have learned remember the droughts of ‘08/’09 and
‘12/’13. Well, it is quiet again. I am
that denying loyal customers what they seeing rimfire ammo on the shelves at

want — standard capacity Mini-14 mags, prices creeping slowly to prepanic levels.
You can now regularly find .380, 5.56,
true push pin lowers — is not a winning 7.62, .357 at your local stores. Now is
the time to buy ammo and shoot. But
solution in an oversupply market. buy some to shoot and put some away
for a rainy day, because the political
cycle can always change again.
Speaking of politics, be sure to
course the stories from the characters on of what the smart firearms company write your Texas State Senators and
the other side of the counter. The hunt is will need to do while there is no panic Representatives, and voice your opinion
more than half the fun. induced buying. Hopefully, Ruger and on the bills. When you contact them,
Coming out of SHOT Show 2017 Colt have learned that denying loyal be sure to identify yourself as a TSRA
for the AR enthusiast is more evidence customers what they want (standard member.
that Colt is going to launch its Retro capacity Mini-14 mags, true push pin In closing, it was great to see so
series of AR-15’s. From the recent lowers) is not a winning solution in an many members at the TSRAAnnual
YouTube footage, there will be a limited oversupply market. Meeting. Support the TSRA foundation
number of Colt’s early AR-15 rifles sold Speaking again of Colt, there has and the TSRA PAC. They work for you
to the U.S. government at a suggested been online chatter since 2015 that the and your collecting interests.



30 | TSRA Sportsman

March/April 2017 | 31

Hunting Texas



New Firearms and Ammo

By: Bob Boswell




ver the past year there have been pistol. More information about the Les
Oa lot of new or improved products Baer can be found in the February issue of
brought to market. Some of these are Shooting Times. If you are a revolver fan,
really interesting, others not so much. you may be able to find a Ruger or Smith
Several are worth a detailed look. For & Wesson in 10mm, though they are not
additional information on these, you can currently made.
visit the individual companies’ websites, On the subject of revolvers, Ruger Nosler has introduced some new
and I will mention some additional now has a GP 100 with a three-inch cartridges. They started with the 28
sources as I go along. barrel and a five-shot cylinder in .44 Nosler and last year added the 26 Nosler,
The first development is Colt’s Special, and if you want the latest both based on a shortened version of the
emergence after new financing with some thing in revolvers, both Kimber and .404 Jeffry case which the Remington
new and some reintroduced products. Nighthawk Custom are manufacturing Ultramag uses. This year we have the
First, they have introduced a selection of them. Mossberg has introduced several 33 Nosler and the 22 Nosler. The 33
competition 1911’s in both .45 and 9mm. variations on their 500 and 590 performance equals the .340 Weatherby,
Along with this is the reintroduction of shotguns. The one of most interest is but fits in a .30-06 length action. A
the National Match Gold Cup in .45 ACP the Shockwave, a 14- inch barrel 12 comparison with other .33 cartridges
and the Cobra, with a two-inch barrel, gauge, with an overall length of 26.25 can be found in the March issue of Rifle.
steel frame, and a six shot cylinder in .38 inches. Because of the overall length, The 22 has a unique cartridge case and
Special +P. Now, if they can turn out a it is not classified by BATF as either a is interesting because it is made to work
in the AR and equal .22-250 ballistics.
It comes very close, with a 55-grain
Mossberg has introduced several variations bullet at 3500 fps from a 24-inch barrel.
It has a rebated rim to fit the standard
on their 500 and 590 shotguns. The one of AR bolt face and a fatter body for more
powder capacity which require the use of
most interest is the Shockwave, a 14-inch magazines designed for the 6.8 SPC. The
components to build this rifle, including
barrel 12 gauge, with an overall length of complete uppers, are available from

MidwayUSA as are the ammunition and
26.25 inches. Because of the overall length, cartridge cases, which are also available
direct from Nosler. Technical details for the
it is not classified by BATF as either a ‘short cartridge can be found in the April issue of

barreled shotgun’ or ‘any other weapon,’ Shooting Times.
After the 26 Nosler was introduced,

with a 130-grain bullet at 3400 fps. Not
to be outdone, Weatherby resurrected a
Single Action Army or two, everyone will ‘short barreled shotgun’ or ‘any other 1960s Wildcat that was used for 1000-
be happy. weapon,’ so does not require a federal tax yard benchrest competition. Weatherby
Over the past year, there has been a stamp. A letter I have seen from Texas & experimented with it at that time, but did
resurgence of interest in the 10mm. They U.S. Lawshield advises that Texas may not produce it. The cartridge, the 6.5-300
are available from Colt, in the reintroduced not consider this a legal weapon, due Weatherby, propels a 130-grain bullet
Delta Elite, Glock, Kimber, Sig, STI, Les to the wording of state law. I forwarded at over 3500 fps. If you are interested
Baer, Nighthawk Custom, Wilson Combat, this letter to TSRA Legislative Director in loads, the December 2016 issue of
and a few others. Kimber, Les Baer, and Alice Tripp, and she may have more Handloader has data using 17 different
Nighthawk all produce a six-inch hunting information at a later date. bullets and 12 powders. Apparently
modern powers allow the 6.5-300 to


32 | TSRA Sportsman

reach its full potential. a six position buttstock,
Last year, Ruger introduced its Precision Rifle, a bolt action with and an enhanced trigger.
a metal and synthetic chassis, in appearance much like an AR, It has a lot of features at
chambered in .308 and 6.5 Creedmore. The 6.5 is based on the a modest cost.
.260 Remington, with the case shoulder moved back and its angle For those of you
increased. This allows the bullet to be seated within the neck of looking for something
the cartridge which is conducive to better accuracy, important for completely different,
a rifle and cartridge capable of ranges more than 1,500 yards. Kingston Armory is
The combination of the longer neck and more shoulder angle give manufacturing an M1
increased barrel life, important in a competition rifle. rifle replica that is in fact
Savage introduced its version of a competition rifle, also a .22LR. Its internals
with a metal and synthetic chassis, also chambered for the 6.5 are derived from the 10/22 and the externals appear to be GI
Creedmore. A shooter I know, with experience with both rifles, in origin, with a walnut stock, and the sights, butt plate, sling
told me that the Savage took about 40 rounds to break in the swivels, gas cylinder (inoperable) all appearing authentic. Even
barrel, but the rifles were otherwise comparable, with the Savage the weight is close to the original.
costing about $200 less. This year, Kingston added an M14 replica. It is of similar
As I write this, the Savage is available from distributer stock, construction and appearance, again being authentic in appearance
but you may have to make a few calls to get the Ruger. and weight. The magazine, a 10/22, is mounted atop a cut down
The latest thing, now available from Ruger, is the 6 Creedmore, M14 magazine shell, again appearing authentic when in place. At
with less recoil and the potential for longer range. If you are nine-plus pounds, they are awfully heavy for .22LRs, but none of
interested in the 6.5 Creedmore, but prefer a more conventional your neighbors will have one.
rifle, Thompson-Center chambers its Compass rifle (blued, These are just a few of the things I found, I hope some of
synthetic) in 6.5 at a much lower price. them attract your interest. Information on all these firearms and
For Springfield Armory fans, besides the constantly evolving ammunition can be found in detail on the manufacturers’ websites
EMP, which now has a four-inch barrel and a bobbed grip for and in the magazine articles I mentioned.
better concealment, Springfield has entered the AR business.
Theirs is a direct impingement, 16-inch, 1-in-8-inch twist barrel Bob Boswell serves as TSRA Director of Hunting & Outdoors.
AR in 5.56. It has sights, with the rear a flip up and a fixed front, Joseph Hammonds also contributed to his article.











































March/April 2017 | 33

LEGISLATIVE REPORT
Continued from page 15

From a press release by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick: ….Texans on the possession of a handgun have moved either to pass
shouldn’t be required to pay a fee to the State for a constitutional carry into statute or the issue is being worked on.
constitutional right! TSRA is a your Second Amendment organization. We
The money does not go to DPS: all goes into general don’t simply go-along to get-along, but we work within the
revenue and is distributed through the appropriations process. Legislature and through the legislative process to get all that’s
Today’s license is a product of automation and less costly to available to move the ball forward.
produce. The House has filed identical companion bills: HB 339 What’s next in restoring run rights? Strategy,
by Rep. Dustin Burrows with 28 coauthors and Rep. Kyle Kacal Strategy, Strategy.
filed HB 1024. Strategy means the best House and Senate authors, people
You’ll find a list of good bills plus a list of the many bad with standing in office who have demonstrated their ability
ones, some very bad at www.tsrapac.com in addition you’ll to do ‘heavy lifting.’ Strategy means good language or it will
find links to the bill language. Keep in mind the text of a bill, be another 20 years of clean up. Strategy also means wide
meaning the language, often changes as it moves through the support in the Legislature and that’s beginning to happen. The
process to become law. Republican Party added Constitutional Carry to their platform
Creating law has been likened to sausage-making for very during the 2016 State convention. Only weeks before the 2017
good reasons. It’s not pretty! session began, the issue was announced as a State Republican
Party priority issue for this session.
The Final Step? Support is growing and TSRA is ready, willing, and more

If There is a Final Step You might call the final step than able. Strategy, Strategy, Strategy.
Constitutional Carry, meaning an eligible person legally able to
carry a handgun without a license. More steps are possible and Alice Gene Tripp is Legislative Director for the Texas State
more choices. Rifle Association.
Mississippi, a state with historic unlicensed open carry of
a handgun recently passed law to allow unlicensed concealed
carry of a handgun. Several other states, whose laws were mute













































34 | TSRA Sportsman

RISE OF 80 PERCENT FIREARMS
Continued from page 18

Because the components that make up the majority of a firearm consider myself an experienced beginner with enough knowledge
are unregulated parts, and the 80 percent receiver is also to be dangerous. All of that aside, I am often asked about 80
unregulated, all of these items can be ordered online and sent percent builds by firearms enthusiasts thinking about getting into
directly to your front door with the swipe of a credit card. the hobby. Normally, I advise them against it. Make no mistake:
You can see why there is controversy surrounding this type of It’s not some form of elitism that causes me to offer this advice,
firearm build. but rather the nature of this type of work. To build a firearm,
This political turmoil surrounding home-built guns has, like one must start with a very serious mentality and 100-percent
most gun control rhetoric, only served to make the guns even commitment. There is a myriad of safety and legal considerations
more popular. We live in an age where information on almost any that must be taken into account. Nothing about this process
topic can be found with the click of a button. It’s all too easy for should be viewed with a complacent attitude nor taken lightly.
someone to hop on the Internet and find step-by-step instructions In completing an 80 percent build, you are attempting to
for every part of the gunmaking process. With modern machinery take heavy-duty, dangerous machines and use them to shape
and materials, someone with the correct tools, a lot of patience, and tame a piece of metal so that it will contain the massive
and a mechanical knack can, with some difficulty, make a fully pressures, fire, and explosions used to send a projectile racing at
functional firearm. Gone are the days of thumbing through a a high speed toward a target. This process can be done safely, but
poorly illustrated gun magazine trying to figure out what the extreme care must be taken. And because you are manufacturing
author is talking about. Now you can watch a clear video of a firearm, there are laws that you must adhere to. All of this is the
someone walking you through the whole process. responsibility of the individual undertaking the project, and it’s not
However, it’s not as simple as some would have you believe. all intuitive. The correct mindset is essential, and any doubt about
My first AK was an abomination. For some of the parts, I tried the process is an excellent reason to consider not undertaking
an advanced welding method I was unfamiliar with. Out of the project in the first place, especially when a firearm of equal or
impatience, I also used the incorrect tool for another process. greater quality can be found in your local gun shop for less than
These two mistakes resulted in an unstable receiver; and while what the home builder would pay.
the rifle still fired, it was unsafe. Ultimately, it took $25.00 and However, if you, like me, are set on this path, modern
around 20 extra hours to fix, but that mistake taught me a technology is here to aid you in overcoming these obstacles. Most
great deal. I mention this because even with experience, with companies that sell products specific to the 80 percent builder also
easy methods of learning the process and with a garage full of employ experienced builders, and they will often offer legal and
tools, making a firearm still isn’t an easy process. It’s expensive, safety guides with their products. A quick Google search will help
time consuming and will greatly test the patience of even an you find many websites full of advice from average Americans
experienced gun owner. all over the country who have completed similar projects and are
With that being said, you might ask, What s the allure? more than happy to share their passion and hard-learned lessons.
People get into 80 percent builds for a number of reasons. Finally, because this is becoming such a popular hobby in the
Some living in states with restrictive gun laws enjoy building firearms community, there are a wide variety of resources for
a gun without the hassle and additional fees required by their tools, guides, and parts. A few big names in the firearms world
state. For some, it’s a hobby, like building model airplanes, just only exist to sell products and parts for these 80 percent firearms,
a tad more complicated. Others feel it’s an expression of their demonstrating just how popular this hobby really is.
constitutional freedom, and enjoy the idea of having a firearm I predict that these builds will only become more popular as
built in the privacy of their own home. Some think it’s the technology advances: Tools will become even more affordable and
ultimate way to really learn about a particular firearm, and feel available for the hobbyist, information even easier to share, and
it enhances their firearm knowledge. Finally, as firearms become precision parts even easier to manufacture. While it most certainly
harder to find and gun prices rise, so does the allure of building will never be for everyone, there will always be a segment of gun
one yourself. owners that loves to tinker, and this is the next logical step of
Over a decade ago, I would have never thought it possible that tinkering. By nature, Americans have always been a hearty
to build a firearm from precision-machined parts, using gauges people, self-reliant and independent. And firearms have always
and jigs that would have the same or better quality than can be been intrinsically tied to those all-American values. I honestly
purchased commercially. Now, all this time later, I’ve built six so can’t think of anything that honors and promotes those values
far, with seven, eight, and nine already in the works. I personally more than having the tools, knowledge and ability to assemble
wanted to expand my skill set and gain a better appreciation for your own firearm from a bin of parts and metal.
the work that goes into the firearms I’ve grown to love. And I feel
I did exactly that during the process. I got to learn a variety of Joshua Stevens is a Army Infantryman stationed in Ft. Bliss,
things I would never have otherwise, met amazing people, and Texas. This article is the winning submission of a student
became part of a passionate community. writing contest that Sonoran Desert Institute (SDI) conducted in
I am by no means an expert on the topic. If anything, I partnership with Gun Digest.


March/April 2017 | 35

TSRA SCHOLARSHIP UPDATE
Continued from page 27

2016-2017 TAMU TUBB SCHOLARHIP RECIPIENTS
John C. Burton is a native of The Woodlands, Texas, and is a
senior biomedical sciences student with a 3.6 GPA with plans
to become an Army physician. In addition to volunteering at
the College Station Medical Center ER, Burton is commander
of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets Marksmanship Unit and
was instrumental in their back-to-back Military College Combat
Shooting Championships between the U.S. Service Academies and
Senior Military Academies. Active in 3-Gun, IDPA, USPSA and
SPP, he is an avid marksman and supporter of the shooting sports.
Madeline Louise Jones of Pflugerville, Texas, attributes the
4-H Shooting Sports, TSRA and NRA programs for shaping
her to be the individual she is today. Jones is a junior studying
wildlife and fisheries sciences. She has shot Hunter’s Pistol and
Smallbore Hunter’s Pistol Silhouette with the Travis County 4-H
Shooting Sports at the Austin Rifle Club, attaining Master level in
both. She was the 2012 & 2015 TSRA Texas State Champion in
Smallbore Hunter’s Pistol Silhouette and Hunter’s Pistol Silhouette,
respectively and holds national juniors and women’s records for
high scores. She is secretary of the TAMU pistol team and works
part-time at the Bush Presidential Library at TAMU.
Zachary John Roger Williams iof Weatherford, Texas, is a fifth-
year senior pursuing a degree in Aerospace Engineering at TAMU,
currently supporting an overall GPA of 3.63. Williams served as
commander of the TAMU Corps of Cadets Marksmanship Unit for
two years, and helped lead them to back-to-back championships
in 2015 and 2016 at the Military College Combat Shooting
Championships. His marksmanship skill has been evident in the
Scholastic Pistol Program with top four placement finishes since
2013, along with 3-Gun and Carbine style competitions. Zach
pledges to forever be an ambassador for the preservation of the
shooting sports and the second amendment. His goal is to be a
pilot, making a career in the Air Force. He will graduate TAMU in
May 2017 and be commissioned as a 2nd Lt in the Air Force. He
will be attending Undergrad Pilot Training at Vance AFB, Enid Ok
in July 2017. He is an assistant coach for the TAMU Cadet Corps
Marksmanship Unit.

TSRA Foundation Scholarships Funded
by the William T. Clarke Jr Estate
With a limiting factor of the George Tubb Scholarships only being
awarded to Texas A&M University students, the TSRA Foundation
has established the TSRAF Endowed Scholarship Fund. The TSRA
Foundation, beginning in 2015-16, has established annual funding
of $2,000 per year to be awarded as scholarships at any Texas
college or university. These scholarships will be open to Texas
residents (graduating high school seniors or current university
students), who must be a TSRA member, have a shooting
background, and maintain a grade point average of 2.75 or greater.
Current TSRA Foundation Scholarships have been funded by the
William T. Clarke, Jr. Estate and are named in his memory.


36 | TSRA Sportsman

For the 2016-2017 School year, three $2,000 scholarships were
awarded to Katie Bridges, Mindy Miles and Rachel Garner.
Katherine (Katie) Bridges of Kingsland, Texas, was the first
recipient of the William T. Clarke, Jr. TSRA Foundation Scholarships.
Bridges received the scholarship in 2015-2016 and in 2016-2017.
She is a senior at Texas Christian University majoring in geology,
and a member of the TCU rifle team. She has won several Texas
State Championships, junior national championships, the NRA
Metric Prone National Championship, participated in international
team events, and has set national shooting records. She was a Show your TSRA Pride and support
bronze medalist in the 51st World Championships. the youth of Texas by ordering a
Minden (Mindy) Miles from Weatherford, Texas, is a junior TSRA License Plate!
at TCU majoring in business. She is an All-American member
of the 2017 top-ranked TCU rifle team. She received the NCAA The fee for this special plate is $30 (in addition to your
Sportsmanship Award in 2016 and is one of only five shooters normal registration fee) and of the $30, $22 supports
in the NCAA history to shoot a perfect 500 score in air rifle. the TSRA Tubb Scholarship Program and 4-H Shooting
Sports Programs in Texas.
She is aiming for the 2020 Olympics. The link to the NCAA
Sportsmanship Award is http://www.ncaa.org/static/champion/ These plates are also available for handicapped
straight-shooter/index.html vehicles and can be transferred if you sell your vehicle.
Unfortunately they are not available for motorcycles.
Rachel Garner from Celina, Texas, is a sophomore at TCU majoring
in nursing with a minor in Spanish. She is also an All- American For more information or to place an order please visit:
member of the 2017 top-ranked TCU rifle team. She has won awards www.txdmv.gov/motorists/license-plates/
specialty-license-plates
in the Texas 4-H shooting program and a recipient of the TCU Dean’s
Academic Scholarship. She is in the Honors College at TCU.
While it is great news that the TSRA Foundation is funding
scholarships for Texas students, we are asking TSRA members —
individual and corporate — to help the Foundation grow the TSRAF
Endowed Scholarship Fund so we can possibly grant more than
$6,000 per year in scholarships.
If you have ideas to help TSRAF grant additional scholarships,
please contact TSRA Foundation Board President Charlie Preslar at
214-212-1157 or [email protected]. The TSRA Foundation is
a 501-c-3 organization and gifts or donations to the Foundation are
tax deductible. If you wish to donate to the Foundation or know an TSRA is on facebook and
individual, organization or shooting club that wishes to donate, make twitter. Join us for the
checks payable to the ‘TSRA Foundation Scholarship Fund’ and send latest events and news!
to TSRA Foundation, 8411 North IH-35, Austin, TX 78753. Also if
an individual, organization or club wishes to sponsor and fund an
annual scholarship in their name at a particular institution, the TSRA
Scholarship Committee can make those arrangements.

TSRA Foundation Scholarship criteria and application forms and
George Tubb Memorial Scholarships will be posted online at
www.TSRA.com by April 3, 2017 or before. Application forms can
also be requested from the TSRA office after April 4. Completed
scholarship application forms must be returned to the TSRA office
by June 12, 2017.

February 2017- Scholarship Committee Report submitted to the
TSRA Board of Directors by the TSRA Scholarship Committee:
Ordie R. (Reggie) Jones-Chairman, Chuck Wheeler-Vice Chairman,
Jerry Boydstun, Rick Tanner, and Cindy Love.


March/April 2017 | 37

TSRA Regional Directors


TSRA Directors

Number in parentheses indicates year of convention at which term ends. TSRA Regional Map

Action Pistol
Mark Matthews (2019) San Antonio [email protected]

BP Cartridge Rifle Silhouette
Larry Hall (2018) Huffman, [email protected]
CHL/LTC
John Ridlehuber (2019) Lott, [email protected]

Cowboy Action
Jeff Jackson (2018) Sachse, [email protected]
Tray Golden (2019) Conroe, [email protected]

Cowboy Lever Action Rifle Silhouette
Bill Ellis (2018) Cedar Park, [email protected]
Tim Lee (2019) Austin, [email protected]

Gun Collecting
Daryl Valdes (2018) Tomball, [email protected]
High Power Rifle, Long Range
Ben Brooks (2018) Houston, [email protected]
High Power Service Rifle
Keith Stephens (2019) College Station, [email protected]
Hunting and Wildlife Smallbore Rifle Silhouette
Robert (Bob) Boswell (2018) Georgetown, [email protected] David Phillips (2019) Cedar Park, [email protected]
Junior Programs Shotgun
Todd Jennings (2019) Fredericksburg, [email protected] Paul DeRidder (2019) Dallas, [email protected]

Law Enforcement Smallbore Rifle
Jim Davis (2018) Corpus Christi, [email protected] Guy Taylor (2018) Marble Falls, [email protected]

Pistol Women’s Program
Daryl Taramasso (2018) Amarillo, [email protected] Stela Moctezuma (2019) Kyle, [email protected]
Al Osborn (2019) Austin, [email protected]

Police Pistol
Trey Gibbs (2018) Fort Worth, [email protected]
Allen Boskey (2019) Needville, [email protected]

Pistol Silhouette
Tony Koscielniak (2018) Manor, [email protected]
Matt Lawrence (2019) Humble, [email protected]

Range Director Advertiser Index
Robert Butler (2017) Spring Branch, [email protected]

Regional Directors
Central Texas – VACANT DeSantis Holsters ................. 5 Saxet Gun Shows ................. 7
East Texas – Christopher Dover (2019), [email protected] High Caliber Gun Show ........ 7 Sellmark.............................. 12
North Central Texas – Phil Landtiser (2019), [email protected] High Standard Firearms ....... 2 Texas Gun Owners Guide .. 15
North East Texas - Doug (Chef) Morris (2019), [email protected] KNS Precision .................... 18 Texas Law Shield.................11
Panhandle – Gary Hassell (2018), [email protected]
South Central Texas – George Mandry (2018), [email protected] NRA .................................... 37 Texas Trophy
South East Texas – Rusty Finch (2019), [email protected] Precision Bullets ................. 36 Hunters Assn ...................... 33
South Texas – Harold Carter (2018), [email protected] PreservAll ........................... 18 Walker ................................ 15
West Central Texas – Steve Stone (2018), [email protected] Premier Gun Show ............... 9 Wilson Combat ................... 36
West Texas – Dan Petrosky (2018), [email protected]


38 | TSRA Sportsman

The Fight for Liberty Never Ends







































Let Your Voice Be Heard By


Supporting The TSRA/PAC Today!



The TSRA/PAC is organized for the purpose of influencing the nomination, election, or selection to public office of qualified
candidates who have demonstrated basic beliefs and/or actions that are consistent with support of the Second Amendment. TSRA
is the only pro-firearm organization that maintains a staff of effective full-time lobbyists in Austin to protect your rights as a
firearm owner. The TSRA/PAC cannot accept corporate contributions.

___ Yes, I want to do my share! I wish to contribute $____________ to the TSRA/PAC.
Name _________________________________________________________________________________
Address _______________________________________________________________________________
City ___________________________ State ____ Zip ________Telephone __________________________
Occupation* _________________________________ Employer*_________________________________
*By direction of the Secretary of State, IRS and the FEC, for contributions of $10 or more the occupation and employer of the
donor must be provided. If appropriate, indicate “Retired” as your occupation.
___ Check Enclosed
___ Please charge my ___Visa ___MasterCard ___Discover ___American Express
Acct # _____________________________ Exp. Date ______ Signature _____________________________
___ Contribution of $200 or more, for a TSRA/PAC Aluminum Rough Rider Pistol Case (14" X 8" X 3.5")
___ Contribution of $225 or more, for a TSRA/PAC Canvas Rifle Case (46” long)
___ Contribution of $300 or more, for a TSRA/PAC Aluma-Trans Single Scoped Rifle Case (52" X 11" X 4.5")
___ Contribution of $300 or more, for a TSRA/PAC Aluma-Trans Single Scoped Rifle Case w/ recessed wheels
___ Contribution of $325 or more, for a TSRA/PAC Aluma-Trans Double Scoped Rifle Case (52" X 16" X 4.5")
___ Contribution of $375 or more, for a TSRA/PAC Aluma-Trans Double Scoped Rifle Case w/ recessed wheels
NOTICE: Do Not Send Corporate Checks. Contributions to the TSRA Political Action Committee are NOT tax-deductible.

Texas State Rifle Association/Political Action Committee • 8411 N. IH-35 • Austin, TX 78753-3731 • Phone 1.866.897.4353

NON PROFIT ORG
Texas State Rifle Association U.S. POSTAGE
8411 N. IH-35 PAID
TEXAS STATE
Austin, TX 78753 RIFLE ASSOCIATION





















Dedicated to: The right to keep and bear arms • Preservation of the shooting sports and their lawful pursuit •
Conservation of natural resources • Wildlife management • Maintenance of law and order