American Handgunner Mar/Apr 1990

__ 'Mybattery ': fonsists of . .. ;a Colt revolver, 150 cartridges;

a no.10 choke bore,

_ _ _ - 300-cartridge -·'"-'",·:,'~">"····_-___ ,., shotgun; a .45-75

_ -· Winchester repeater, With 1,000 ~artridges .. _."

Teddy,Roosevelt's Diary

T eddy Roosevelt, like you and I, knew the im

portance of owning firearms . As a Life Member of the National Rifle Association, an' , arms collector, a huntet and a Rough Rider, Teddy Roosevelt was a

staunch sup~rter of the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. And, his willingness to fight for what he believed in made his term in office one of the most peaceful our country has eyer known. When he made a show of force, no one ever questioned his readiness to take the next step.

To .honor this great American-and to give you a chance to own the world's first firing reproduction of his most famous firearm-The American Historical

- Foundation is proud to annouce the Ted~y Roosevelt Commemorative Revolver.

A Firing Revolver; Caliber.-44-40 Like Teddy Roosevelt him5elf, this is a no-non

sense firearm. This is a genuine, firing Single Action Army-in fact, most of the parts would probably interchange with TR's original. This is the highly collectible, early style with the -cylinder pivot pin screw, chambered in .44-40 with the 7-112" barrel. The beautiful scroll engraving is hand cut, as P. D. Nimschke, one of the leading firearms engravers of the time, engraved TR's original. Hand engraving is

far more expensive and time consuming than other means, but hand engraved guns are always worth more.

Limited Edition of Only 750 This is a limited edition of only 750worldwide. It is

one of the most restricted edition limits everissuedyour guaranteed of immediate collector value. Even the serial numbers are special-from 001 to 750, with the prefix "TR". Each.is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity which attests to the edition limit, the purity of the 24-Karat Gold and Sterling Silver of the plating and the 24-Karat Gold of the inlay work. ·

Each collector who acts decisively will be rewarded with the knowledge that he owns a beautiful gun of great rarity. Finely engraved, museum-quality firearms are hard to come by and have traditionally proven to be secure investments isolated from the fluctuations in the stock market.

24-Karat Gold and Sterling Silver Made of the finest ordnance steel, every inch is

plated wi.th . Precious metals. The following components are plated with genuine 24-Karat Gold: ejector rod housing, ejector rod, trigger, hammer and cylinder. The rest of the gun is plated wifh Sterling Silver. Each is being hand built exclusively for the ' Foundation by Uberti, whose Single Action Army Revolvers have been consistently reviewed by leading American firearms pubHcations as some of the best ever made in the world.

The grips are ivory combined with polymers for

To proudly display your Revolve_r, a beautiful 18"x9"x9" glass and 'Walnut Display Case, mounted on a swivel base, is available.

split resistance. On the left grip is the raised buffalo bead and !>n the right his famous "TR" monogram, just as he requested .

Satisfaction Guaranteed This is available exclusively through The American

Historical Foundation. To reserve, call toll free, write or visit. Satisfaction Is guaranteed, or you may return

© AHF 1989

Soli4 24-Karat Gold is inlaid in the "TR" monogram on the left recoil shield.

for a full refund anytime within one month. If you do not have a Federal Firearms License we will coordinate delivery with you through your local firearms dealer, after your reservation is received hP.re.

If you do have an FFL; send a signed copy, and the Teddy Roosevelt Revolver will be'tlelivered directly to you. With your reservation, -you will also be made a Member of the Foundation.

This tribute to.this great American will hold a place of honor in your collection-it will show present and future generations that you support the Right to Keep and Bear Arms and that you are proud to be an Amerir;\n.

r~-----------;;s~i~;T~c";~-----------------Satisfaction Guaranteed or Return in 30 days for Full Refund To: The American Historical Foundation • . :

1142 West Grace Street, Dept. H20 ' ... Richmond, Virginia 23220 · ' Telephone: (804) 353-1812 TOLL FREE: (800) 368-8080 ·- · ·

Yes, I wish to reserve the firing Teddy Roosevelt Revolver, plated with 24-Karat Gold and Sterling Silver, issued in a limited edition of only 750 worldwide. I will also receive a Certificate of Authenticity and membership in the Foundation. Satisfaction guaranteed.

D My deposit of $95 pe~evolver is enclosed. Please D charge or D in the balance due ... Din eight monthly paymen of $237.50 per Revolver, orOinfulL

D My payment in full is enclosed ($1995 per Revolver; Display Case, add $139).

D Please send the optional walnut and glass Display Case at $139 (_double-gun case. _single-gun case)-

Name- ---- .. ----- __

Address

Dartime Telephone ( __ ...... ) .. __ ...... _ .... ___ . __ . For Visa, MasterCard or American Express, please send account number, expiration date and signature. Virginia residents add tax.

H20

AMERICAN

PARA-ORDNANCE .45, Dave Anderson A high capacity .4 5 fra me holds l 3 rounds ot the big manstoppers.

THE COnAGE IN SHAROW, Al Pickles

Hammerli 280 UIT pistol, a hightech wander made of carbon fiber w ith a rad ical ergonomic shape. Photo by lchi ra N aga ta .

32 34 36 40 44 48 51 56 60 66 68 74

Meet master halstermaker Andy Arratoonian .

HANDGUNNING HINTS, Bennett Viken and Robin Sutton A "biting" commen tary on auto pistols

HANFLE! John Toffin

4

6 The Audit Bureau

104

7 15 18 22 28

A bai t-action ri fle transformed into a handgun is a "hanfle "

TAFFIN TESTS, John Toffin High performance favorite loads for the .38 Specia l.

HANDLOADING TRACERS, Tony Lesce How to handload handgun tracer ammunition.

THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, Cameron Hopkins Practical shooting's greatest challenge and Rob Leatham wins ... aga in

COLT'S DOUBLE EAGLE, Mossod Ayoob A double-action convers ion of the Government Model flounders.

HAMMERLI 280, Som Bioocco A radica l new Swiss target pistol made of carbon fibers.

NOYA, Stanley C Crist A min iature 9mm pistol recreated from a Star BKM by Tim La France.

TECHNICOLOR GUNS, Mork Moritz How about a pink pistol?

COMBAT CORNER, Cosey Clifford Exci ting new products for combat shooters

THE AYOOB FILES, Mossod Ayoob A knife in a gunfigh t ... and guess who w ins?

SPEAK OUT 38 COP TALK 42 M assad Ayoob

HANDGUN HUNTING 46 J D. Jones

GUN LEGISLATION 72 Richard E. Gard iner

HANDLOADING 118 Fra nk W James

LEATHAM' S COLUMN Rob Leatham

SI LU ETAS John Tollin

PISTOLSMITHING John Lawson

INSIGHTS INTO IPSC Dave Anderson

INDUSTRY INSIDER Cameron Hopkins

AMERICAN HANDGUNNER (ISSN 0145-4250) is publ ished bi-monthly by Publishers' Development Corp., 591 Camino de la Reina, San Diego, CA 92108. Second class postage paid at San Diego, CA 92108, and at additional mailing offices. Subscriptions: One year (six issues) $1 6.75. Single copies $2.95 (in Canada $3.95). Change of address: four weeks notice required on all changes. Send old address as well as new. Contributors submitting manuscripts, photographs or drawings do so at their own risk. Material cannot be returned unless accompanied by sufficient postage. Payment will be made at rates current at time of publication and will cover all world rights for the material. Advertising rates furnished on request. Reproduct ion or use of any portion of this magazine in any manner, without written permission , is prohibited. Entire contents Copyright© 1990 Publishers ' Development Corp. All rights reserved. litle to this publication passes to subscriber only on delivery to his address. SUBSCRIPTION PROBLEMS: For immediate action, write Kristine Waldrop, 591 Camino de la Reina, #200, San Diego, CA 92108 or call (619) 297-8032.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to AMERICAN HANDGUNNER, 591 Camino de la Reina , #200, San Diego , CA 92108.

AMERICAN HANDGUNNER • MARCH/ APRIL 1990

TRAIN WITH THE BEST The $64.00 question

What do shooters like Rob Letham, Jerry Barnhart, John Pride, Charles Grabbatin, Brian Enos and Chip McCormick have in common, besides winning a pistol match or two? They all train with PACT Championship Timers. Now let's face it, these guys can have any timer they want. So maybe there 's a reason why they choose PACT, over all others, for their vital practice sessions.

Why do I need a timer? Whether you are training for competition

or self defense; if you are going to improve you've got to keep track of the two elements of marksmanship that you are striving to master: accuracy and speed. Would you consider practicing without a target? Of course not, because without a target you have no measure of your accuracy. By the same token , without a timer, you have no accurate measurement of your speed and no way to tell if a given technique is helping or hindering your progress.

Of course shooting timers, like guns, are not created equal. A well designed shooting timer is an invaluable training aid which will dramatically improve your practice sessions. A poorly designed timer, with functions that are inconvenient or difficult to use, becomes nothing more than an expensive buzz box that distracts you from your shooting each time you use it.

#07 1.03 FIND SHOT:

Advanced display

3. 4·=· ·-· '? I

The PACT MKlll featues an advanced 32 character display instead of the four digit display commonly found on other timers and cheap alarm clocks (sorry guys, but facts are facts) . This display allows the MKlll to display all of the information about a given shot (shot number, split time, total time) at a glance and eliminates the hassle of having to " toggle" back and forth between functions in order to review your shot string.

Full function keypad Our 32 character display and 16 key

keypad make the MKlll about as easy to use as your pocket calculator. For example to

enter a "PAR TIME" of four seconds, simply push "PAR." the MKlll will ask you to "ENTER PAR TIME AND PRESS SET" so you push " 4, " "SET." Want to change it to six seconds? Push " PAR," " 6," "SET," it's that simple!

A few of our features • A buzzer that's loud enough to hear

with your earphones on • Sensitivity of shot detector is adjustable • Instant GO or adjustable fixed or

random delay • 999.99 second time limit • Automatic Comstock function • Lap function

Order Today

TOLL FREE ... 800 PACT INC (in Texas 214-641-0049)

By Phone: We are happy to answer your questions and take your order. We accept Visa, MC and COD orders.*

PACT MKlll . . . ............. . $279 CHRONO-MOD with M5 Skyscreens (optional) . . ... . . .. ..... . . $69.95 M5 Skyscreen Mounting Bracket (optional but nice) .......... $24.95 Battery Powered Printer ....... $125 Extra Printer Paper (6 rolls) .... . $12 Extra Skyscreens. $25 each $45 pair

*Shipping & Insurance $5.50 UPS ground/$10 UPS 2nd day air. Extra shipping for bracket (separate package) $3 ground/$6 2nd day air. Bank service charge for VISA/MC. COD fee $2.50. Write or call for foreign rates . Texas residents add appropriate sales tax .

Brochure Available covering the PACT product line of shooting timers and chronographs, $1 .00.

P. 0 . Box 531525 Grand Prairie, TX 75053

• 9 Volt battery • Advanced training functions allow

simulation of complex courses of fire • Two stop plate inputs. Man vs Man mode

gives both shooters total times, who won and margin of victory .

• Auxiliary output drives relay for horns, lights, moving targets, etc.

• Drives optional battery powered printer

$69.95 Chronograph "The finest Chronograph I have ever used"

. . . Ross Seyfried

By having the $69.95 CHRONO-MOD (skyscreens included) installed in your MKlll, you enable it to double as the best portable chronograph on the market. When operated as a chronograph , the MKlll performs all of the functions of the PACT Precision Chronograph and includes our new Glint Guard™ pat. pend. detection circuitry. In addition the MKlll will automatically calculate the power factor of each round fired .

30 Day Money Back Guarantee We designed the MKlll , we build it, and we

sell it factory direct to you. We take full responsibility for your satisfaction. If you are not 100% satisfied with any PACT product, return it to us undamaged (no fair driving over it) within 30 days, and we will refund your money. That's our promise and you can depend on it.

Lifetime Warranty The MKlll features a real simple repair

policy. If it breaks due to a defective part or faulty workmanship we' ll fix it free. If you break it (people really have driven over them, ask Mickey Fowler) we will fix it for cost. No hassles and no questions asked.

Shop Around & Call Us Last Before you buy a shooting timer take the

time to do a little research . Call the different manufacturers and get their literature. Compare each timer feature for feature and watch out for bizarre operational limitations, like the inability to review shots when using a PAR time or the requirement for two machines to run a Man vs Man event. You 'll find that dollar for dollar and feature for feature the PACT MKlll gives you more honest " bang for the buck" than any other shooting timer on the market .

PACT, MKlll, CHRONO-MOD and GLINT GUARD are trademarks of Practical Applied Computer Technology, Inc.

6

Straight from the Shoulder

The Eagle This versatile/ ambidextrous

shoulder holster is streamlined, secure and comfortable. A dual spring closes the holster firmly

around the handgun yet allows for a smooth, fast draw. Equipped with

a removable retainer strap, the Eagle is fully lined and fits a variety

of pistols and revolvers. Model #X9000

The Scorpio System A refined version of our classic shoulder holster, the Scorpio System utilizes fu ll-grain and glove leather for an attractive yet hand-boned look. An offside magazine pouch counterbalances the weight of the gun, and the comfortable slip-on harness is fully adjustable. Model #13

The Phantom A complete series of low-profile, spring-loaded vertical shoulder holsters. A unique carbon-wire spring holds the gun securely, yet allows a smooth draw. Complete with adjustable belt strap. Revolver version features an internal cylinder recess. Model #X2000 is for automatics; Model #X2100, for revolvers.

Comfort, quality, and practical See for yourself. Visit an authorized innovative designs: Bianchi dealer and take a look at our International delivers the genuine complete line of leather and nylon article in shoulder-carry handgun shoulder holsters. Ask for our holsters. With our 30 years of Bl&ICll current full color catalog or send experience, you come to expect it. ® $3.00 to Bianchi International.

Bianchi Internatio nal, 100 Calle Cortez. Temecula, CA 92390 Toll-Free (800) 854-8545, In Califo rnia To ll -Free (800) 826-8 192

In Hawaii and Alaska (7 14) 676-562 1 TLX 28855 3 BNCI UH

iilDIUllER GEORGE E. von ROSEN PUBLISHER

CAMERON HOPKINS EDITOR

JOHN HART GRAPHIC DESIGN

RENEE NUKALA ADVERTISING PRODUCTION

CASEY CLIFFORD ADVERTISI G SALES

JEROME RAKUSAN EDITORIAL DIRECTOR EMERITUS

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

ICHIRO NAGATA PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR

JOHN TAFFIN FIELD EDITOR

MASSAD AYOOB LAW ENFORCEMENT EDITOR

FRANK JAMES HANDLOADING EDITOR

DAVE ANDERSON PRACTICAL SHOOTING EDITOR

J.D. JONES HUNTllNG EDITOR

WAYNE LAPIERRE LEGISLATION EDITOR

JOHN LAWSON PISTOLSMITHING EDITOR

ROB LEATHAM COMPETITIONS EDITOR

JAMES E. FENDER SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR

WILFRID WARD EUROPEAN CORRESPONDE T

NATIONAL ADVERTISING: 591 Camino de la Reina, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92108 (619) 297-8520 Telex 695-478, Cable VONROSEN SDG Fax: (619) 297-5353

WEST COAST ADVERTISING: Media Sales Associates, 23232 Peralta Drive, Suite 218, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 (714) 859-4448

EAST COAST ADVERTISING: Buchmayr Associates, 137 Rowayton Ave., #210, Rowayton, CT 06853 (203) 855-8834


SPEAK OUT

Yea Super, Boo FBI I just read Industry Insider (Jan/Feb

1990). I wo uld li ke to appl aud th e Sec re t

Service fo r hav ing the fo res ight to go to the .38 Super. The Super has been overlooked fo r too long. For law e nfo rcement purposes, it will more than hold its own with the .45 AC P or 9mm. And I suspect it can prove equal or better than th e I Omm Lite wit h a d e qu a te loa d development.

I would like to " boo" the FBI. There are hundreds of us out he re who litt le more than tote a handgun to the range, but we all know that a !Omm Lite will do li tt le more than a good 185 gr. JHP .45 ACP load.

The FBI seems intent on developing something already available.

With my tax doll ars! TW Currie

Rochester, Minn .

Fight For Liberty We have been il l served by some of

the prominent makers of fi rearms in the pas t. Co lt and Ru ge r hav e j o ined the

" retreat and apo logize" crowd. I won ' t bu y any of th e ir prod ucts in th e future and I ' ll get rid of those I current ly own.

I wi ll look to more aggress ive manufac tu rers that activ e ly support li berty. I speak of Springfi e ld Armory, Auto Ordnance and Dillon.

These are the people engaged in effective and aggress ive action against those who would destroy our Second Amendment r ights. They dese rve our support and th anks.

Joseph S. Juracka Socorro, M

First Amendment Versus Second Amendment

J would like to po int out something that I don' t think you ' ve noticed in your publication . I am a subscriber to American Handgunner and I li ke your magazine, but I wou ld li ke to point out that one o f yo ur adve rti se rs, Pa ladin Press, is offering for sale to the general publi c, or should I say the shooting public, pamph le ts ca ll ed Th e Ruger 10-22 Exotic Weapons System wh ich te ll s you how to make your legal l 0-22 into an automatic

weapon. Anothe r is Improvised Explosives:

How To Make Your Own which te ll s a person how to make explosives. Home Workshop S ilencers te lls you ho w to make silencers!

Rea ll y, gentlemen, I think that some of the anti-gunners are made to feel as they do by us! Do you think that such informati on is needed by law abiding gun owne rs? I th ink th a t so me common sense needs to be exerc ised by you peop le at American Handgunner.

We all have an obligation, especially now, to clean up our shooting world and let peo ple kn ow th at we a re not "John Waynes" or " Rambos" and that we pursue our hobby in a sane and safe manner. We do not make "home ex plosives" and silencers.

Al Fall er Cincinnati, Ohio

Editor's Rep ly : Th e problem is Paladin Press has a right to freedom of the press as guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution. I imagine that Ted Kennedy and Jane Fonda find American Handgunner offensive too.

We publish a magazine, Paladin publishes paperbacks. It's difficult fo r me to justify censoring another publisher just as it 's difficult fo r me to condone an "assa ult rifle" ban s imply becau se I happen to shoot handguns.

As a shooter, I support th e right to keep and bear all guns; as an editor, I

THE M1911A1 .45 AUTOMATIC PISTOL LEGENDARY SIDEARM OF AMERICA'S FIGHTING FORCES

A MAGNIFICENT MINIATURE SCULPTURED IN FINE PEWTER Possibly the most enduring and well known -.1!!llll••lll handgun ever, the .45 M1911 A1 has been the •1

immortal sidearm of soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines on batt lefields all over the world for over 70 years. More impressive than eve r cast in fine pewter and hand fin ished to a classic patina, dimensionally accurate and proportioned to the finest detai l by expert crafts-men. This 4-1/4", 14 oz. beauty wil l always be a unique conversation piece and a sou rce of pride in ownership . A handsome, custom-designed, velvet lined, hardwood presentation box with brass identification plate is included to protect your investment from dust and unauthorized handling.

PLEASE PLACE YOUR RESERVATION PROMPTLY

r -;EPUBLIC REPLICA-;-:. P.0:-;0X 42~ DALTON ,~ 307;- I I Please accept my order for the M1911A1 .45 Automatic Pisto l Miniature I I Collectible. Enlcosed is $147.00 I

0 Check 0 VISA 0 MASTERCARD I CARD NO. I I

EXPIRATION DATE I 0 PAYMENT IN FULL 0 THREE MONTH LY PYMTS. OF $49.00

I NAME I I ADDRESS I I CITY STATE ZIP I I SIGNATURE . I

Signed reservation form is requi red for chargecard installment orders 3 L _ ~le.::: allow 4-6 weeks del ive"0A residents add 6% sales tax:__ _ _J

AMERICAN HANDGUNNER • MARCH/ APRIL 1 990

SHOWN SMALLER THAN ACTUAL SIZE

m ~ EASY ORDER

BY PHONE CALL TOLL-FREE

1-800-476-3897 24 HRS. - 7 DAYS

7

support the right of a j i·ee press, even Paladin Press.

Two Shot Revolver No doubt Mr. Ru ge r will wr it e

Congress in a few years: " .. . the common revolver holds six rounds whil e a hunter needs only one, maybe two shots . I am in favor of the mandatory plugging of unnecessa ry, extra charge ho les in th e revolver cy linders."

Compromise, incremental surrender, is the tool of cowards and traitors.

8

Dave Wollmann Tu lsa, Okla

Power Of The $$$ It is appa re nt th a t yo u a re just as

unhappy with the treatment that the networks and press give shooting sports and gun ownership as l am. But printing articles in gun magazines w ill not change the general public 's view because they read non-shooting magazines and watch television .

Our side of the issue must be printed in other publications such as Time and broadcast on the major networks.

Imposs ible, you say! Perh aps, but I don't think so. 1f shoo ters he ld large

blocks of stock and voted as a group, we could fire the anti-gun editors and executi ves.

Where would the money come from? Your article (Industry Insider, Nov/Dec 1989) s tates th e re a re 22.6 million hunters/shooters in this country. If there was a mutual fund set up by an establi shed in vestment broker that wou ld pay a reasonable return on investment and the proxies held by a pro-gun group, a great deal of influence could be exerted.

Michael E. Redman Rescue, Cali f ..

Rapists, Count Your Shots

I can see it now. Murderers, rapists, drug dealers and bank robbers all checking their gun magaz ines to be sure they are of legal size before committing their crime.

Give me a break, Ru ge r! I don ' t be lieve th at limiting the capac ity of a gun 's magazi ne will have any affect on crime whatsoever. So why should I support yo ur "alternative pl an" th at will surely start the domino effect?

If today's limi t is 15, tomorrow's is sure to be 10, then fi ve, then one. After a ll , it w ill be po in ted o ut that a true sportsman only needs but one shot.

We should al l know by now that the anti -gun forces will not be happy with one more " compromise. " T hey w ill whittle away our r ights until we have nothing left.

It's a shame that Bill Ruger, a true firearms genius, be taken in by an antigun tactic.

John J. Pistro Chicago, lll.

Wanted For Murder: Mike Dukakis

The state of Massachucetts has the most res trictive, Draconian gun laws in the e ntire country. A pe rson in Massachucetts can be put in jail fo r a year simply for possessing a BB.

In June, 1986, Gov. M ichael Dukakis made hi s infamous statement, " I do not beli eve in peop le o wning g un s, on ly poli ce and milita ry. l am go ing to do everything I can to disarm this state."

Well , the peopl e who Gov. Dukakis succeeded in di sarm ing were Charles and Caro l Stuart. On October 23 they were robbed and shot by a man who forced his way into their car.

He was armed, despite Massachucett 's anti-gun laws; the Stuarts were not. They were gunned down without the sl ightest chance to defend themselves. Mrs. Stuart, who was pregnant, d ied and the fetus she was carrying had to be deli vered prematurely. It died J 7 days later.

Thi s incid e nt of he inou s murd er proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that restrictions on firearms do not end crime.

Continued on page 12


THE WORLD'S FIRST COMMEMORATIVE M16 "SHORTY" A firing hand-engraved, semi-automatic, in the exotic, ultra-rare "Shorty" Model,

highly scught after by collectors.

"We shall ... habitually go into action when the need is immediate and extreme."

General William H. Lee lOlst Airborne Command, 1942

T he standard M16 is respected as the best military assault rifle in the world for line infantry. And the special M16 "Shorty" version enjoys

that enviable reputation among "special" units. It is respected by Veterans and prized by arms collectors.

In honor of the SOth Anniversary of U.S. Airborne Forces, The American Historical Foundation is proud to announce the Airborne Commemorative M16--in semi-automatic, so it is easy to own. We dedicate this M16 Shorty to our intrepid American Airborne and Air Assault troopers who helped make the M16 Shorty famous and to their forebears of World War II and Korea.

First Limited Edition M16 Shorty As the first commemorative M16 Shorty ever is

sued, this is in the "first ever" class of distinction, which has seen many well-documented, significant price increases.

From the standpoint of future investment value, only 950 will be made. Each is specially serially numbered betweenOOl and 950with the prefix" ABN," for Airborne, as an actual part of the serial number, which, in itself, further adds to the collector and historical value. Each serial number is also inscribed on the accompanying Certificate of Authenticity. The Foundation is presenting Serial No. 1 to the U.S.A. Airborne 50th Anniversary Foundation, which represents the Veterans of more than two dozen Airborne associations.

Hand Engraved This museum-quality Commemorative is hand en

graved and gold-gilt infilled, with scrolls and banners which proudly proclaim Airborne history and traditions-and their battle honors of World War II, Korea

and Vietnam. Hand engraving is far more expensive and time consuming than other means, but hand-engraved firearms are always worth more-and it's a military tradition for special presentation pieces.

The finish gleams like black granite, having been specially heat treated to an ultra-hard, high-gloss black that is almost as hard as a diamond. The barrel and telescopic butt stock tube are polished and blued to a gloss-black finish. The upper and lower receiver are forged of space-age alloy, 7075-T6.

The butt stock, special "Shorty" handguard and pistol grip are custom finished in a special heavilytextured black finish, which further sets this apart from standard M16s. The gold-plated, fired enamel cloisonne medallion, inset in the pistol grip, proudly displays the Airborne jump wings on a background of maroon, the Airborne color.

24-Karat Gold In dramatic contrast to the deep black of the M16,

24-Karat Gold plating gleams across 14 custom finished, major components. But this is more than a showpiece-the Airborne Commemorative M16 fires the same 5.56mm (.223) ammunition used by our armed forces and readily available at local gunshops. And each Commemorative is accompanied by a 20-round magazine and operating instructions. As an advantage to arms collectors and Veterans, it fires only the semiautomatic mode (not full-automatic). This makes it as easy to own as most standard hunting rifles.

The Airborne Commemorative M16 is custom built by gunsmiths who build M16s for our armed forces, FBI, CIA, police SWAT teams and the governments of England, France, Australia, Canada, Switzerland, New Zealand and half a dozen other countries. They are the engineers and armorers of BFI, in Portland, Maine.

Due to the rarity of this "exotic" version and the edition limit of only 950, this M16 is ai:t important collector firearm that is destined to grow in historical, and quite possibly, investment value.

Satisfaction Guaranteed To reserve call 1-800-368-8080or1-804-353-1812, wri le

or visit The American Historical Foundation. With its © AHF!989

Shown smaller than actual size: 32", stock closed

353/s", stock extended

Caliber: 5.56 mm (.223)

Limited Edition: 950

The optional American Walnut Display Case (44"x13"x4"), lined with Airborne maroon velvet, can be easily wall mounted. I11e locking acrylic-glass lid protects your investment from dust and unauthorized handling. three Military History Museums in its National Historic Landmark Headquarters, "Columbia", the Foundation has Members in all 50 states and in 44 countries around the world. With your reservation, you will be made a Member.

If you do not have a Federal Firearms License, we will coordinate delivery with your local firearms dealer, after your reservation is received here. If you do have an FFL, send a signed copy, and your M16 Shorty will be delivered directly to you.

Satisfaction guaranteed or you may return within 30 days for a full refund. Supplies are definitely limited, as each is being hand built. Your prompt and immediate response is required if you wish to avoid disappointment.

~--------------------------------------RESERVATION

Satisfaction Guaranteed or Return in 30 Days For Full Refund To: The American Historical Foundation

1142 West Grace Street, Dept. H21 Richmond, Virginia 23220 Telephone: (804) 353-1812 TOLL FREE: (800) 368-8080 • • -Yes, I wish to reserve the firing, hand-engraved , 24-Karat Gold

plated Airborne Commemorati ve M 16 Shorty. Only 950 w ill be mad e. I will a lso receive membership in the Foundation. Satisfaction guaranteed .

0 My deposit (or cred it card authorization) of $95 is enclosed. Please 0 charge or D invoice the balance due.

I D in ten equal payments of $270. 0 in full.

I D Please also send the American Wa lnu t Display Case, a t $225.

: 0 My payment in full is enclosed ($2,795 per M1 6; Display t Case add $225). t t I Name. I

Add ress.

Daytime Telephone ( . ....... ) .. For Visa, MasterCard o r American Express, please send account number, exp iration da te and signa ture. Virgin ia residents add 4.5% ta x

H21

(JlJNS S'l1()llll~S:

THE CASE OF THE "NEWSSTAND NEUROTIC."

10:87 a.m.

Suspect enters Bill's Books & Magazines on 5th and Main and immediately proceeds to magazine rack where he picks up the last copy of GUNS Magazine.

11:03 a.m.

Two unidentified males enter store, also proceeding directly to magazine rack. Suspect nervously peers over shoulder, obviously disturbed by their arrival.

11:04 a.m.

Witness sees one of the unidentified males reach for magazine rack. Suspect obviously mistakes sudden movement for an attempt on his copy of GUNS. Suspect reacts by assaulting both men with a rolled up magaz.ine.

11:16a.m.

Suspect flees the scene and is quickly arrested for needlessly magazine whipping two innocent fishing enthusiasts.

12:43 p.m.

Suspect conf asses to criminal acts. His reason? Nothing was going to come between him and the only magazine he trusted for the latest gun and shooting sport information. He wanted the facts . . . just the facts. He wanted GUNS Magazine.

1:08 p.m.

Suspect is released on his own recognizance promising to never frequent newsstands again and agreeing to subscribe to GUNS instead.

IUD

(~ASE l~OI~I~Olf UI,: 1 month later, suspect seen sharing his subscription copy of GUNS with two unidentified gun enthusiasts-proof positive that GUNS subscribers get the facts every month.

CASE (~l~OSED.

Avoid the newsstand naurottos. Use the adjo1ntng order card or write to P.O. Box 85201, San Dtego, CA 92138 to order your own subsor1pt1on to GUNS Maga.z1na toda,yl

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SPEAK OUT Continued ji·om page 8

All they do is deny law-abiding, decent citizens their right to self-protection. The murderer can proceed with impunity, safe with the knowledge that his prey will be helpless and unarmed.

Who is responsible for this doublemurder? The gunman, of course, but Gov. Dukakis is equally responsible for these murders because hi s actions denied the Stuarts their Second Amendment right to defend themselves with firearms.

Gov. Dukakis should be tried for murder and share the fate of the gunman, for he is an accomplice. As for the trigger man, if he is caught he will probably be released on a "weekend furlough " by Gov. Dukakis.

The rest of the country can learn from this incident: crime contro l, not gun control.

Timothy J. Curtiss Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Historical Accuracy I agree with some of your readers who

say that with the photos of Nagata and others, you could be called the National Geographic of gun magazines. You have so much good stuff that it is sometimes hard to absorb it all in one reading.

12

I like John Taffin although I'm not a si lhouette shooter. Which is why I was nonplussed to read Taffin's comment that the US "has never lost a war. " Patriotism is okay, but so is historical accuracy. Or wasn't Vietnam a war?

I don ' t mean to make too much of it, but after an excellent artic le such as " Why Johnny Can ' t Shoot, " I wasn't ready for something like Taffin's opening statement of the article on the .45 Auto Rim which was otherwise a good treatise.

Thanks for a lot of good reading. Paul Wright

Hutchinson, Kan.

No Babes The Shooter's Choice ad is degrading

and I feel you are invading the privacy of all womanhood when you use this kind of exploitative advert ising.

A really good product does not need to show scanti ly dressed women to gain sales. Please remember your magazine is not read by just men.

Mrs. Dolores Hinger Jefferson Ohio

More Babes About that letter from Mrs. Ga lligan

complaining about a "semi-nude woman" in one of your ads, apparently Mr. Galligan hasn't squared her away. So I guess I'm elected.

Snap out of it , Mrs. Galligan . What

gives you the right to bitch-out the editor about the contents of an essentially men 's magazine?

Hey , I'm offended when leafing through th e Old Squaw 's Cosmo or Vo-guh on see ing all those ads showing semi-nude men (?) cavorting in their designer j eans (which is why I quit leafing through them- a word to the wise?).

But I don't write those editors whining about "sexploitation" trying to influence them to go "unisex." Why? Because it's none of my business what you women read, that 's your business what you like to look at.

Also I happen to really appreciate the difference betwee n men and women. You, apparently, do not.

Fina lly, speaking metaphorically, I don ' t care where bra-burners torch their A-cups , 'long as it 's not on my property.

So I ighten up out there in Montana, Mrs. Galligan. Otherwise, Mr. Galligan might just have to decide to send you to rome. "Rome, Italy?" you ask, delighted at the prospect. Nope, to rome on the prairie.

"Liver Eatin' Johnson" Miller Western New York State

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COP l'A1K ---------------· MASSAD AYOOB

HIGHER STANDARDS OF TRAINING ENHANCE STREET, COURT SURVIVAL

I s there a downside to belonging to a department th at has high handgun qualifi ca ti on standard s, or for an indi v idual offi cer to demonstrate a

high level of competence in his own right? A cop I" II ca ll ' ·Officer o·· has some

concerns in these regards, and he speaks for many. Here is hi s letter.

''l react w ith great interes t your arti cle ' Prov ing Your Firearms Competence Beyond D epartment 's Certifi ca tion ' in A m e ri ca n H a ndg unn e r . As in mo st poli ce departments. the one l work for has an optiona l award or medal for outstanding marksmanship. However, it has been generall y accepted that many officers don ' t w ish to obtain such an award for lega l reasons.

' 'J clon 't have to tell you the kind of stress that a shoo ting can put a person through. l also don't have to tell you that Expert or Master award w inning shooters have been known to miss a human target at point blank range under such stress.

·'Some officers and instructors have an idea that should such a mi ssed shot fired und er th e stress of a gunfi ght hit a bystander, or even a small child. then the award that is worn so prominently on the uniform co uld be used against them in court. A statement comes to mind such as. ' There must be something criminally w rong w ith e ith er th e officer or th e departmental trainin g he rece ived if a " Master C lassed" shooter co uld mi ss a suspect at I 0 feet and hit thi s poor little old lady who now only asks a fair settl ement of $ I 0 million .'

" With all the experi ence that you have had in courtroom testimony, as well as all types of shooting instances , I wou ld like to get your ideas on thi s subject. "

The officer who wrote the above submitted his name, but I won' t put him in a tri ckbag by publishing it. Hi s concern s are genuine, typica l of a lot of widespread fee ling in poli ce circles , and worthy of answering.

er. The implicat ion , ' 'The defendant, of' all people. should have known ... " creates two effects.

First, the triers of the facts are indeed less forgiving of negligence, but the jury does not forgiv e gross neg ligence anyway. The statement also implies strongly. ·'This defendant knows more about thi s than most other people."

The moment the other side brings in a higher standard of care argument against yo u, therefore, they are admitting that you are something of an ex pert in the area- and with tl1at subtle admission from the other side comes greater credibility for th e officer when he exp lains

aggravates the spinal injury. Will he be held liable? Probably not.

Most states have a ·'good Samaritan" act that holds a layman harml ess \.vhen he acts in good fa ith under c ircum stances such as these.

But if the bystander who dragged the victim from the smoking wreck made him suffer wo rse was a doctor , th e ·'good Samaritan " provi sions wi ll not apply. The lega l fee ling is. ·'You of all people should have known that moving a victim reasonably believed to have spinal injury might hurt him more than help him ...

This, Officer D, is the syndrome you and your colleagues are concerned about.

Expert Defense But let 's look at the other edge of the

sword. The doctor 's an swer should be. "Thank you for recogni zing my training. counselor. The fact is that my training allo wed me to diagno se thi s pa ti ents being X -percent li ke ly to have a spinal injury that could have been aggravated by mo vement , but 100% likel y to be burn ed to death. Let me ex plain that diagnosis ... "

Higher Standard of Care Officer D , what we ' re looking at is the

legal concept of ' 'The higher standard of ca re." It ho ld s that th e more hi ghl y trained you are, the less forgivable a mistake on your part will be. In essence, the court is say ing " You. of all people, should have known better. "

Extensive firearms training has ingrained survival techniques of gunhandling into this officer making him more effective on the street and in court.

The higher standard of care is a twoedged sword , and J think the side that fa rors the trained pol iceman is the sharp-

what really happened. The example I give my students is an

accident scene: a car crash victim I ies inside with a severe spinal injury, and the wrecked vehicle is smoldering. A layman at the scene, fea rin g that the victim is about to die in a fi ery ex plosion , drags him out of th e car- and, in doing so,


In short , th e doc tor has enorm ous cr edibilit y w ith th e jud ge and jury because he is a doctor, not a layman. The more highly trained officer is at a level where he might well be certifiabl e as an expert himse l f were he not in vo lved in the case, and likew ise has enormous credibility that is made even greater by v irtue

15

16

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of the "you of all people" attack. Now. he i s more authoritativ e and

believable when he states, ' ·1 fired at the suspec t des pite th e peo pl e near him , counse lor, because my training taught me that the disciplined gunfire of the qualified police officer presents less danger to the bystanders near the perpetrator, than the greater dan ge r pre se nted to th e bystand er s nea r m e by th e wanton , uncontrolled gunfire of the perpetrator.

There is another advantage to train in g, of course. The skill ed surgeon is likely to imm ob ili ze and stabili ze th e injury before moving the crash victim, and the trained officer is more li ke ly to hit his target instead of a bystander. In short , the more highly trained and quali fi ed you are, the less likely you are to screw up at al l.

Finally. the more highly trained you are, by definition , the more in structors you have who can be subpoenaed into court to testify on your behalf as to your competence and yo ur coo ln ess under stre ss . Th e weigh t of such tes timon y tends to crush the misleading statements of underqualified, highly paid " plaintiffs' experts" who testify to the contrary.

I 've heard before the hypothes is you mention , that a jury might think " If a top police shooter missed, it must have been criminal. " Experience tell s me it's far more likel y for them to think , '·lf thi s happened to the best shot on the force. it cou ld have happened to anyone. Now, if the cop was a bozo who couldn't qualify and the poli ce department still let him walk among us carry ing a gun, that would be something different. "

Final ly. Officer D, don ' t take all these statements about '·Don ' t give your best at the range 'cause it ' ll come back to haunt yo u in court, " at face va lue. Some of those cops really wi ll be good shooters who are clogging it out of a mi sguided fear of being wrongfu ll y accused.

But my ex peri ence is that X-number of them are lazy cops who don ' t want to be bothered learning a high level of competence w ith th eir handgun . cou ldn ' t shoot their way out of a sandwi ch bag with a cylinderful of armor piercing, and se ize on the courtroom argument as a cheap excuse.

I understand there are two sides to the argument. Lookin g at both , thou gh. 1 have to fa ll back to the basic truth that excellence is always more defensible than mediocrity. Remember, the tri ers of the fact always have to hold to " the concept of a reasonable and prudent person ...

How does the average reasonable and prudent person feel about someone who fai ls to deve lop hi s life- sav in g resc ue skill s in training for fear that someone wi ll say he's too good to be true?

Remember, no one ever won a fight by underest im ating the intelli gence of hi s opponent, and no one ever won a trial by underestimating the intelligence ~ and perceptiveness of a jury. '""


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HANDGUN HUNl'ING ................................ ll J.D.JONES

QUEST FOR FIREPOWER BREEDS BAD MARKSMANSHIP, HUNTING HABIT'S

H as eve ryo ne in th e whole world gone nuts over firepower? rm expecting someone to bring out a belt- fed 9 from a

backpack anytime now- and make a zil lion bucks from it too.

Think a minute. Think about accuracy. Think about writers trying to tell you that three- to fi ve-i nch 25 yard groups from these auto pistols are accurate . That's not accurate, that 's a load of crap.

Any pi sto l that won ' t shoot an inch and a half at 25 yards isn' t accurate. Serviceable for self-defense, maybe; accurate, absolutely not. (An inch and a half isn' t all that great either.)

Maybe its time to re-eva luate some of the things people now take for granted . Do you really need an 18 shot handgun? Or will a better choice be one that holds six or eight or nine shots. fits your hand a lot better. points a lot better. handles a lot better, carri es a lot better, concea ls a lot better? Isn ' t that more adequate for your needs?

rll grant there is some merit in law enforcement for 20-shooters but I reall y think half a dozen rounds are enough to stop the charge of the most determined tin can us civilians are likely to encounter.

Have we completely forgotten accuracy? Is there any other va li d reason for shooting other than hit1i11g? And hitting w ith the first sho t? And hitting with enough power to do the job?

Are you so unsure of your ability to hi1 with the first shot that you think you can make up for accuracy inadequacy by fir ing a whole bunch of fast shots?

the gun simply isn' t accurate enough to hit a tin can at 20 yard s.

l recently saw an article about a pistol that shot groups larger than five- inches at 25 yards and the w1:iter thought the gun was wonderful. He mi ght be that dumb but I" m betting you aren' t.

That kind of journalism is simply to pl ease the advert i se r and you mi ght as we ll completely disregard whatever else the guy has to say.

In addition. rm convinced some manufacturers supply ·'spec ial " products to writers. Certainly not all of them or even the majority of them- but f 'm convinced some do.

I hea r a lot o f so-ca ll ed '· hand gun hunters"" say they wou ld never venture into the woods without a repeating handgun for that ·'fast back-up shot. .. Maybe.

determine if there are intervening limbs or to distingui sh if the spot you see is v ital or non-v ital.

1 f your first shot isn ' t good, what are your chances of connecting w ith a second. third , ninth or umpteenth? Obviously damn poor.

Scope Vs. Iron I ' m not try in g to convince you iron

sighted guns don "t have a place in hunting. They do. A t short range. A t animals eas il y seen and generall y undi sturbed. Even then your first shot should be a well-placed killing shot.

If your attitude is such that a k illing first shot is your goal, you have a far better chance of making it than if you are thinking of tak ing him down with repeated shots. Hit him right the first time with enough gun and its all over. That"s the way it should be. And you can make it happen th at way if yo u use th e ri ght equipment sensibl y.

Generall y speak ing, the single shots w ill shoot groups less than one fifth the size of the best revolvers and r doubt if anyone knows how much bener than the autos as some of them are incapab le of being grouped on a barn at I 00 yards.

The single shots will also deli ver more punch, more accurately and w ith less

Might work . That seems to be our current battlefi eld strategy. But that strategy encompasses a large number of rapid fire weapons backed up with artillery and airpower. Even then the Army says in Vietnam it took 200,000 rounds of small arms fire to inflict one casualty on the enemy.

Here's our Hunting Editor with the first African wildebeeste ever shot with the powerful new .50 caliber blackpowder pistol from Thompson/Center Arms.

Guess what? If those statistics are valid, after your 18 shooter is empty you may have to load another magazine or two.

Power is another factor. A N ine in the field is a short range rabbit gun . So is a .45 , the wonderful new I Omm and my own .4 1 Avenger which may be ava ilable again by the time thi s gets into print.

A scoped .22 auto w ill take a lot more game than any of these guns.

Personall y. I find it extremely frustrating to shoot at an easy target and miss it either because the gun has fixed sights that don't look where the barrel shoots or

18

just maybe, that guy shouldn ' t be in the woods anyway- and maybe he isn ·1.

The fact of the matter is that your first shot should be a good one- or not taken. If you think you can make it with an iron sighted revo lver that w ill se ldom shoot better than five-inch I 00 yard groups and a set of sights that covers 18 inches or so at a I 00, you arc a hcl I of a lot better shot than I am.

Remember, you aren ' t on \he range anymore. That animal can bleed and hurt just like you can. A nd he doesn' t stand out like a silhouette target. He is usuall y difficult to see and even more difficult to

recoil than heavy hunting revolvers. The genera l run of bullets useful in them are better and pro v ide better performance than can be obtained from revolvers.

Any way you cut it, though, a scoped hunting weapon is far more capable than one eq uipped w ith iron sights. A scope doesn ' t necessarily ex tend the range of the weapon, it simpl y all ows more precise shoo ting within the capab ilities of the weapon.

And it will also tell you when not to shoot due to a bullet deflecting obstructi on that your naked eye is incapab le of recognizing.


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Did you ever notice any of the guys that reco mm e nd o nl y iron s ig ht ed revolvers fo r hunting that are really handgun hun ters? Not opportunists or occasional handgun hunters and full time hypocrites that you see pictured with scope sighted rifles most of the time?

Have yo u ever seen a true handgun hunte r who made a bi g deal over anything he shot?

Three of the most successful handgun hun ter in th e world are Larry Kellyobviously the num ber one- Bill Weiss and Lucky Nightengale. These gents are seldom found without optics on whatever gun they happen to be using and they all re ly on the fi rst sho t- not firepower. These are men who have spent millions of do ll ars between them and harvested more trophy game than you or I wi ll ever think of do ing.

I know of no dyed in the woo l handgun hunte rs wh o uses iro n s ights very often. When they do, they use them for a spec ific short range job.

Black Powder Handgun Las t summ e r in Afr ica I used a n

experimental single shot pi stol by TIC. It was a .50 caliber shooting standard TIC Max i-B all s. I used I 00 gra in s of FFF powder and shot several animals with it with quite good success . A couple shots were taken to ex plore the penetration and power of the gun and it isn ' t lacking.

It will initi all y be offered in .50 and .54 ca libe r. Te ntati ve ly c all ed th e "Scout ," it is schedul ed for production next July. In addition to being a pistol, it can be converted to a carbine and back.

The Scout is the first blackpowder and Pyrodex hunting handgun trul y capable of hunting big game effecti vely. It will have good adjustable iron sights and in additi o n it will be ca pa bl e of be in g scoped easily.

Veloc ity loss fro m a .50 caliber rifl e and the 12" barrel of the Scout is minor. Figure th e 100 gra ins of e ither FFF or Pyrodex to push a 380 to 420 gra in bullet at about 1300 fps. It can certa inl y be loaded heav ie r but thi s load produces excellent acc uracy and even though the pure lead ball expands readily penetration is pretty good.

Look out fo r a seri es of new bullets fo r thi s g un . As -i s, it w ill exceed the energy of any load that can be put in a revolver. And yes, I do have a .50 caliber revolver using the .348 Winchester case.

Certa inl y thi s gun isn ' t go ing to be everyone's cup of tea, but it will add a new dimension to handgun hunting for a lo t of peo pl e. Th e g un loo ks g rea t , shoots great , is very ve rsatil e ( inte rchangeable barre ls), powerful , safe and backe d b y T IC ' s warrant y w hi c h is unexcelled in the industry.

It is economical to shoot and is going to be surpri singly inexpensive to buy. The bottom line, of co urse, is ..... that it 's fu n to use. '"°'

20 AMERICAN HANDGUNNER • MARCH/ APRIL 1990

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GUN LEGISl.AFION THE NRA REPORT

RICHARD E. GARDINER

MARYLAND HANDGUN BAN FAILS TO DEFINE 11SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL''

Firea rm s expe rt s who ' ve had hand s-o n experience with the PSP-25 won ' t bother to debate the fact that this little semi-auto

matic pi stol is a quality piece of work. The .25 caliber handgun , made by KB! ,

lnc.'s Precision Small Parts Divi sion under lice nse by Fabrique Nationale , ha s rece ived rave reviews for its machining . Exhaustive tests have shown the pistol to be safe, accurate reliable- essenti a ll y problem-free.

Yet the PSP-25 has been banned for sale in Maryland, under the state 's onerous "Saturday Night Special" law. The damning vote came even after Maryland 's handgun Roster Board heard laudatory testimony concerni ng the PSP-25 from a ballistics expert for the Maryland State Police.

The Roster board felt the pi stol failed to meet state criteria for concealability, weight, caliber and utility. Yet the board voted thumbs-up for the Beretta 950BS , which is only one-eighth inch longer and a fraction of an ounce heav ier th an the maligned PSP-25.

Without a doubt, politics played a role in the demise of the PSP-25. The Beretta firearm is manufactured in Maryland, the handgun in question in Virginia.

As for the question of utility- probabl y the most critica l crite ria for judg ing the " worth " of a firearm unde r Maryland 's bizarre law- we have th e test imony of a s tat e poli ce expert who opined the PSP-25 is an excell ent sclfdefense weapon.

Saturday Night What? So why th e death sent e nce for thi s

quality fir ea rm , a nd not for others ?

Unfortunately, the M aryland law uses only vague and highly arbitrary terms to "defi ne" the media-coined phrase, "Saturday Night Special."

This in sultin g c liche, composed of pure rhetoric and a bso lutely no s ubstance, has never been clearly defined. Yet in Maryland , at least , thi s catchphrase , dreamed up in th e midst of an assault on handguns, provides the foundat ion for a law limiting the constitutional rights of millions.

Let 's go back to th e original lame

This has angered firearms opponents,

who of course wanted practically all

handguns placed on the death list.

" Saturday Night Special " concept advanced by the anti-gunners' advertising blit z. Does the PSP-25 even faintly resemble the "cheap, poorly made handguns predominantly used in crime" accusations that first inflamed public fears?

Not at all. There's nothin g cheap or poorly made about the PSP-25. That 's the con sen s us of eve ry ex pe rt who has offered testimony. Yet the Board, more than like ly pressured by state officials, probably felt obliged to ban the sale of at

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least a few firearms on their long list. The PSP-25 was s imply the scapegoat.

Gun Banners Fail As a m atte r of fact , the Maryland

Handgun Roste r Board has, without the benefi t of valid criteria by which to judge each handgun, found it difficult to ban even a small percentage of the many handguns offered them for the anti-gun axe.

Thi s has angered firearms opponents, who of course wanted practically all handguns placed on the death li st. It has even a nge red hi g h-ranking Maryland officials who had a hand in the Board 's origin. One in particular wanted the popular Glock pistol handed him on a symbolic si lver platter. Yet the Glock passed the Board 's rev iew over the bureaucrat 's howls.

Now it seems there's little the Maryland gun banners can do except arbitrarily select a sacrificial handgun now and then, which I suppose they hope will keep the anti-gun wailing at less than fever pitch. This is a sad state of affairs for the rights of Maryland c iti zens, but it is an example of what happens when innuendo and outright deceit are allowed to become law.

Anti-Gun Stink National anti -gun organizations once

jubilantly declared that Maryland 's convoluted " Saturday Night Special " law would quickly s pread to other s tates across the nation. It hasn 't happened, nor is there any indication that such a movement has a glimmer of hope at this time.

And for good reason. Lawmakers in other states don ' t want to open this vicious can of worms. The Maryland battle was an outright political bloodletting. The entire matter still reeks of rotten politics in the minds of the state 's disgruntled citizenry, es pec ia lly now that they ' ve seen the results.

Still, there will be other attempts to shove ha nd g un ban s pas t uninform ed electorates. And as a result, finely crafted firearms s uch as th e PSP-25 may no longer be available for purchase by lawabiding citizens, as should be their right. These bans will also draw their momentum from prej udiced media blitzes and anti-gun sloganeering.

Ye t as we can see in Maryland , th e "fruit" of these vicious campaigns is confusion, political pandering and hyperbole masquerading as law. As a result , you and I and millions of good American citizens can lose our constitutional rights.

And on what grounds? On the grounds of a few hate- fill ed words that have no basis in fact or common sense and cannot be defined. And that, my friends, ...... bodes ill for our Democracy. '"'

Richard Gardinder is an attorney and Second Amendment expert who directs state and local legislative and political efforts of the National Rifle Association's Institute for Legislative Action.


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1990 GUN DIGEST 1990 GUNS 44th Edition ILLUSTRATED Edited by Ken Warner All-new edition of the world's biggest selling gun book. Peter Barrett describes his ten years carrying Model ?O's in Africa. Raymond Caranta looks at some innovative Italian 357s. Clarence Ellis describes a classic hunt in Mongolia's high country. Bob Bell on emerging 50 caliber rifle enthusiasm. Wilfred Ward on how the English came up with a different approach to Colt's combat revolver. John Malloy re-examines the double action Colt Model 1909 45 military revolver. Howard French tells of three quite different gun owners and the Paradox-style double gun they had in common. Paul A. Mathews reflects on 12 years with a Ruger No. 3 in 22 Hornet. The huge catalog section contains the latest prices and specifications for all U.S. and imported firearms on the market.

HANDGUNS '90 2nd Edition Edited by Jack Lewis What's new in handguns this coming year. Field tests of revolvers, autoloaders and single shots such as the new Smith & Wesson third generation line, the Ruger SP101, Charter's Pitbull in 9mm Federal, the S&W CS-1, Sedco SP-22, Llama's Model 87, Taurus Model 92, the S&W Ladysmith, a brand new gun from SIG-Sauer and more. Dean A. Grannell, Tom Ferguson, Hal Swiggett, Frank James and other experts bring you all the latest. Using a chronograph and a progressive reloader. How to rig a simple, inexpensive holster. Handgun hunting and handguns for defense against dangerous game. The guns our great shooters like Ed McGivern favored, and why. Custom guns, new accessories, accoutrements. More. 224 pages.

COMBAT HANDGUNNERY 2nd Edition By Jack Lewis This all-new edition looks at real world combat handgunnery from three perspectives - military, police and civilian. Covers guns, ammunition, holsters and techniques. The best current guns for the dollar. A comparison of autos and revolvers -their strengths and weaknesses. Who's using what in the fastest growth area in combat handguns, high capacity 9mm autos. The best bullets for defensive use of cartridges such as the 22 LR, 25 ACP. 32 ACP and 380 ACP. A challenge to Jeff Cooper's claim "Double action autos are an interesting solution to a non-existent problem." Pros and cons of the combat games. A discussion and listing of all the major chamberings suitable for combat handguns. Overview of significant new models and variations. Much more. 256 pages.

22nd Edition Edited by Harold A. Murtz Gun designer Bill Holmes looks humorously at some missed chances at wealth in a litigious society. John Haviland on the 16-gauge shotgun. Michael Thomas questions the necessity of today's telescopic sights. Clay Harvey shares some humorous hunting tales from his years afield. Don Simmons on the excellent Benelli automatic pistol and why it didn't sell in the U.S. Dick Eades on why he is going to retire his old chronograph in favor of Ken Oehler's new model that checks its own readings. Sam Fadala tests Marlin's Beau$1595 tiful Model 1894CL Classic. A look at the post-WWII bolt-action shotguns. Extensive

#Gl90 catalog section and more. 320 pages.

s149s #AW2

s149s #B45

ASSAULT WEAPONS 2nd Edition Edited by Jack Lewis All-new edition that looks at the current inventory of assault weapons and their availability. Submachine guns made in the U.S. are gaining greater attention and a series of test reports tells of their capability and potential. In recent years, many new assault rifles have appeared. The editor and his staff of experts evaluate these and offer some thoughts on their future. In the realm of combat shotguns, several all-new assault type scatterguns are reviewed in depth, listing the capabilities and possible uses for the various versions. Each section is preceded by an overview of the uses for each type firearm reviewed. In addition, sound suppressors and laser sights come in for their share of attention. 256 pages.

The Gun Digest Book of THE FORTY-FIVE By Dean A. Grennell There are books about the 45 Single Action Colt and books about the 45 1911A1 auto and even about the 45 Thompson sub-machine gun. But this is the first volume to cover the entire field of 45 caliber cartridges and arms. Dean Grannell has devoted his expertise to investigating everything from the so-called 45 Long Colt developed in the last century to such mammoths as the 454 Cassull, the 451 Detonics and the 45 Winchester Magnum, as well as such experimental cartridges as the 45 Super. The information is not limited to handguns, for he judges performance of cartridges in the 45 lineup in sporting carbines and assault rifles as well. This is the most complete and the most informative volume ever written on the 45 caliber.

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MODERN GUN CARTRIDGES OF THE VALUES 7th Edition WORLD 6th Edition By Jack Lewis Updated, expanded edition of the book that 's become the standard for valuing modern firearms. Covers the current values of all non-military guns introduced from 1900-1987. Nearly 2,000 photos and drawings supplied - including data on hundreds of new guns introduced since the last edition. Complete specs, original manufacturing/importation/discontinuance dates, and descriptions of thousands of domestic and imported firearms; handguns, rifles, shotguns and commemoratives alike. Guns are listed alphabetically by manufacturer within each section. Each section is prefaced with important tips peculiar to the intelligent buying, selling and trading of used guns. Hard-to-get information that can help determine the true value of your firearms today. 496 pages.

TRAP &SKEET SHOOTING 2nd Edition By Art Blatt Lots of valuable information not only for the beginner but for intermediate and advanced competitive shooters as well. Advice and tips from some of the top shooters in the country. An overview of trap vs Skeet shooting. Proper tournament preparation . All about sporting clays. The lowdown on ammunition - legal maximum loads, plastic shotshells and today's " Lite" ammunition. How to buy used trap and Skeet guns. Recoil devices - do they really work? Trap and Skeet gun types, styl es. How to choose the right gun for you. How to overcome flinching. What to do about bad patterns. Shooting in bad weather. Current

By Frank C. Barnes -···•~P'!t This completely revised edition gives the • history, recommendations for use, detailed

photos and dimensional drawings, and in many cases, loading data for over 1,000

~~~'5~1 different cartridges. Greatly expanded :Ii section on wildcat cartridges. A new chap

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ter on French military small arms cartridges from 1859 to 1883. How to identify a mystery cartridge. A complete look at current and obsolete American rifle cartridges. Pistol and rifle cartridges of the world are covered in detail. An in-depth look at current and obsolete rimfire cartridges with special attention given the hyper velocity 22s. Shotshells. British and European sporting rifle cartridges. Standard modern U.S. military ammo. Plus, military cartridges from around the world. Includes a handy cartridge index. 448 pages.

KNIVES '90 10th Edition Edited by Ken Warner All new edition examines the world of knives, past and present, factory, custom and home made. Reports on the Javanese kris, WWII cutlery made from swords, Webster Marble 's turn-of-the-century hunting knives, the 19th century Zuloaga Spanish dagger. Technical topics like the new wave of knife tests, the hard edge-soft back tempering processes and the world of Damascus. As always, visual presentations of current designs and straight and folding standard patterns in swords, miniatures and commercial cutlery. A detailed photo index plus state-by-state directory of sources for fine knives and accessories. $1495 ATA and NSSA rules. Plus a complete list-

ing of all of the trap and Skeet clubs in the s 14 95 288 pages.

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K By Jack Lewis & Roger Combs The ins and outs of knifemaking. Building knives from kits and with non-kit components. Selecting the right handle - manmade vs. wood. Forging your own blades. Selecting a blade shape. Steel polishing and buffing. Soldering, welding and heat treating at home. Making your own sheaths and pouches. Handle repair and replacement. Catalog and specialty store parts. A look at custom knifemaking; the top pros and their techniques. Scrimshaw, etching and engraving. How to keep your edges sharp. Building display cases and frames. How to show your collection . The story of Damascus and Wootz steel. A historical perspective on the blades of swords, daggers, tantos, Bowies and sabers. Plus a complete directory of suppliers, equipment, manufacturers and importers. 224 pages.

#K90

LEVINE'S GUIDE TO KNIVES AND THEIR VALUES By Bernard Levine The complete guide to the identification, history and value of knives of all types: antique and modern, factory and custom, folding and fixed blade, primitive and hightech . Part I, " Collecting Knives," covers which knives are collected and why. Also knife valuation and investment and devel-

~~~I' oping your own expertise. Part II , " Folding Knives," identifies virtually every folding

r.:::J.•llillll~~m knife ever made. Part Ill , "Fixed Blade Knives," covers everything from bowies to military knives to exotics - even humble kitchen knives. Plus all new custom knife

2195 sections, new factory daggers and survival

$ knives, new histories of English, French and #LGK2 German cutlery, new and expanded brand

lists and all the latest prices. 480 pages.

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~HalDLOA~ 2 Ditl~T •· ~

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Covers the cartridge and the guns that have been made for it in greater depth than any other work available. Side-by-side ammo testfire reports using the Beretta Model 92F. Evaluation of over 50 guns. 256 pages. #9MM .•.....••••• $13.95

HANDLOADER'S DIGEST 11th Edition Edited by Ken Warner Top writers in the field contribute helpful information on techniques and components . Greatly expanded catalog of all currently available loading tools, chronographs and accessories . 352 pages. #HD11 ............ $16.95

RELOADING FOR SHOTGUNNERS 2nd Edition Edited by R.S.L. Anderson Expanded, fully up-dated reloading tables and bushing charts for every major press and component maker. All-new articles. Catalog of presses, components, and accessories. 256 pages. #RFS2 ..••••.••.•• $12.95

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GUN DIGEST BOOK OF HANDGUN RELOADING By Grennell & Clapp The reloading cycle from beginning to end. Topics include: how to select tools, terminal ballistics of handgun cartridges, testing the reload . Loading data for many production handguns as well as wildcats. Much more. 256 pages. #HR •.••••••••.•.• $13.95

ABC 'S OF RELOADING 4th Edition By Dean Grennel/ All the basics and more for beginners and experienced reloaders. Coverage of components, techniques, safety, setting up a bench, and avoiding common mistakes for handgun, rifle and shotgun reloading. 288pages. #ABC4 •..•••••..•• $14.95

FLAYDERMAN 'S GUIDE TO ANTIQUE AMERICAN FIREARMS And Their Values 4th Edition By Norm Flayderman Fully updated, this new edition of the absolute " Bible" of antique American firearms collecting provides both the advanced and neophyte collector with all the facts necessary to quickly identify an arm and accurately evaluate it . Over 3600 models are fully described with all makes

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SALTWATER FISHERMEN 'S DIGEST Edited by Mark Thiffault The ultimate guide to taking the principal saltwater fish in the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf of Mexico. Looks at the techniques, the rods and the boats needed to land the big ones. More. 256 pages. #SWF ..•.••.•• • ••• $14.95

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GUN DIGEST TREASURY 6th Edition Top articles from the first 40 years of Gun Digest along with complete indexes to all editions of Gun Digest, Handloader's Digest. Guns Illustrated and Gun Digest Hunting Annual. 320 pages. #GDT6 ...... • •.•.. $14.95

MILITARY SMALL ARMS OF THE 20TH CENTURY 5th Edition By Ian Hogg & John Weeks New pistols, sub-machine guns, bolt action rifles, anti-tank rifles and machine guns, inc. USSR ASK SMG, FN BGM-15s WA 2000 Sniping rifles. Browning 's DA Compact pistol. 304 pages. #MSA5 ....• • ••..•• $16.95

MODERN LAW ENFORCEMENT WEAPONS & TACTICS By Wiley M Clapp An in-depth look at weapons, equipment and tactics used by law enforcement agencies. Examines basic guns and special situation weapons & equipment throughout the country. 256 pages. #MLEW .........•• $14.95

METALLIC CARTRIDGE RELOADING 2nd Edition By Edward A. Matunas A must for safe and successful metallic cartridge reloading . Greatly expanded and revised data section . Photo intensive step-by-step instructions. Ways to avoid common errors . Much more. 320 pages. #MCR2 .• • ••....•• $15.95

GUN DIGEST BLACK POWDER LOADING MANUAL By Sam Fadala Extensive load table data on the most popular black powder guns, plus articles on the importance of the patch , propellants, much more. 224 pages. #BPLM .••••.....• $13.95

GUN DIGEST BOOK OF METALLIC SILHOUETTE SHOOTING 2nd Edition By Elgin Gates When , where and how it all started. Looks at IHMSA rules, guns and cartridges. Examines reasons for its popularity. Useful handgun silhouette tips and the future of the sport. 256 pages. #MSS2 .. • .••...... $12.95

BASS FISHERMAN 'S DIGEST By Chris Christian All about America's most popular gamefish. Habitats, spawning, ranges and lifespans. How to catch them and what to use. Accessories from lures to boats. Much more. 256 pages. #BASS ............ $12.95

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GUN DIGEST BOOK OF FIREARMS ASSEMBLY/ DISASSEMBLY ByJ.B. Wood Field-stripping and complete takedown and reassembly of 201 popular firearms with photos and text describing each step. Each book contains 288-320 pages.

RIFLESMITHING By Jack Mitchell Covers locking systems, proven designs, triggers, safeties, barrel rifling/crowning , bedding, bolt jeweling, installing scope mounts and sling swivels, metallic rifle sights, stocks , forearms, more. 256 pages. #RIFL •...•....... $12.95

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SHOTGUN GUNSMITHING By Ralph Walker One of the nation's premier shotgun specialists explains the principles and practices of repairing, individualizing and accurizing modern scatterguns. Much here never covered before. 256 pages. #SHSM ..•........ $12.95

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' By Jack Mitchell Covers smoothing , tuning , timing, joining , metal tempering, rebarrelling , troubleshooting, accurizing, installing & altering sights, making replacement parts. Kits for a 45 auto, rebuilding a junker. 288 pages. #PIST .. . ...... ... $12.95

BOLT ACTION RIFLES ~-""'~':T'lil Revised Edition

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TURKEY HUNTER'S SHOTGUN DIGEST """fWlnf6of{s"~o~·yf{~-~~lc~···1 DIGEST ~ 3rd Edition OF ONE! HERE'S HOW! I By Dwain Bland Edited by Jack Lewis Buy one of the DBI books shown in th is ad and get A complete no-nonsense ap- How to improve your pass shoot- another DBI book FREEi proach to hunting all five sub- ing. Reduce recoil. Select a shot- (a) Buy any book(s) in this ad at retail p rice. , species by America's top wild tur- gun for security. Reload for steel (b) For eac h book you buy. you may select a key hunter and guide. Hunting shot. Plus slug performance , second book from this ad of the some price or techniques, photography, taxi- Hunter 's clays and much , much less FREEi dermy, trophy hunting , recipes. more. 256 pages. (c) we pay all the postage and handling costs. 256 pages. #SD3 ••••• •• • • · • · .$13.95 (d) This o ffer is restricted to purchases made by

t-------#_T_H_D_. _. _. _. _. _. _. _. _. _. _. _. _.$_1_3_._9_5-+------------------ mail order from this ad only. AIRGUN DIGEST BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO A B 2nd Edition GUNS AND SHOOTING By J. I. Galan Revised Edition

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ARCHER'S DIGEST BOWHUNTER'S DIGEST 4th Edition 2nd Edition Edited by Roger Combs By Chuck Adams The ::.test techniques, equipment Presents both the basic skills and and accessories for bowhunting, subtleties of bringing down game field archery, target snooting, sil- on the hoof or wing. Covers all the houette and flight shooting. Plus necessary equipment and how to index of equipment manufactur- use it, plus the fine points to im-

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t-------------------+------------------l 0 Mastercard 0 Visa COMPLETE GUIDE TO BOWHUNTING DEER By Chuck Adams Covers equipment, basic and advanced shooti ng techniques . Common animal behaviors and habitats , stalking , stillhunting, stands, field care and tips on improving accuracy. 256 pages. #BOWD • • .•• ••••• • $13.95

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GUN DIGEST BOOK OF KNIVES

.,;;;;,,--~·· 3rd Edition By Lewis & Combs All-new edition covers practically every aspect of the knife world . Includes reports on manufacturing and collecting . Looks at fighting and survival knives. Plus special use knives, knife care. 256 pages. #K3 .....•.. - •.••• $12.95

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28

Millett's advanced steel technology now gives you the strongest, most durable, and beautiful scope rings and bases available today. Designed and crafted to be rock-solid stable, these mounts have set a new standard for securing your carefully zeroed-in scope. Indeed, Millett rings and bases have been proven to be so superior, many fine gunmakers now provide them as original factory equipment - including Colt, Sako, Smith & Wesson, and Winchester. We have rings and bases for virtually all popular rifles and handguns and many shotguns. To secure your accuracy edge, choose mounts from Millett!

HANDLOADING FRANK JAMES

LOADING THE 9mm UP J'O 11MAJOR11

IS UNSAFE, BUI' EUROPEANS DO II'

The handloading of handgun ammunition is a task pursued for a variety of reasons , but increased performance is without question

one of the more popular reasons why shooters handload their ammunition.

This is nowhere more evident than during 1989 at various major IPSC tournaments in the United Kingdom that were won by contestants using pistols chambered for a cartridge that is almost completely fore ign to American shootersthe Major Nine.

The advantages of souping up the performance of the 9mm Parabell um cartridge for IPSC competition are obvious to even the most neophyte of IPSC competitors. A double column magazine holding 14 or more cartridges, each with a major power rating, would gain any competitor the edge with fewer reloads while maintaining the advantage of major power scoring.

But the bugaboo of the whole situation , at least in this country, has always been the fear of exceeding safe pressure limits for the 9mm Luger.

American Major Nine Of those who have tried the Major

Nine in America , Bill Laughridge of Cylinder and Slide Shop was one of the first. Bill's primary investigation into Major Nine used the Browning Hi-Power as the vehicle for this load , but he no longer builds Major Nine guns on th e Browning because of the problems experienced with the soft slides.

He will build them on the Colt 1911 pistol, but there is no advantage gained in terms of ammunition capacity over th e more popular and almost universal IPSC caliber found here in the United States , the .38 Super.

Bill refuses to try th is cartridge on other guns for a variety of reasons including what he feels is a lack of locking lug recess depth in the slides and the questionable availability of spare parts from foreign manufacturers .

In addition to the previously mentioned problems is the fact that almost everyone believes the pressures for Major Nine loads are pushing, if not way over, the edges of th e envelope on pressure limits set by SAAMI for 9mm Luger in the United States.

Add to this , the fear by much of the firearms press against publishing Major Nine loading data because of predatory

attorn eys searching for the pot of gold at the end of the liability rainbow and you can understand why Major Nine is a subject seldom seen or heard in America.

New Powder Why th e n are lPSC shoote rs in th e

United Kingdom and the res t of Europe able to compete with a cartridge that is, in practical term s, forbidden to American IPSC shooters?

The answer, like mo s t in today ' s world. is both complex and multi-faceted. The guns used as the vehicles for Major

ine in the United Kingdom in 1989 are, for the most part. the CZ-75 or its many derivatives from Tanfoglio.

Th e brass and prim e rs used are of American manufacture bei ng exclusively Winchester combined with Federal small pi stol primers. The powde r that proved to be th e most s ucces s ful with Major Nine in the UK is where you will raise your eyebrows. It is Yihtavuori 3 37.

Kemira oy Yihtavuori or s imply, Yihtavuori , pronounced "v it-to ur-eee"", is a Finnish propellant manufacturer that has bee n in busin ess s in ce th e I 920"s. It manufactures a wide varie ty of powders. but many of th e m are single base propellants with a nitrocellulose content of about 90-98 %.

The s hape of th e powd e r g rain is cylindrical with one or more hol es and many of the ir powders are surface treated so the burning rate is initially low and grows toward th e end. This y ie ld s two advantages according to Vihtavuori.

First , th e maximum press ure of the ammunition is lower for a given mu zzle velocity and, second. the initial temperature of the powder gases is relatively low.

Yihtavuori 3N37 was originally a special prope llant used in the manufacture of .22 Magnum rimfire ammunition. It is not graphite coated and therefore will pack if compressed. It is not normally sold to re loade rs in e ithe r Finland, th e United Kingdom , or the Western European continent, but Mountain and Sowden Ltd .. the English importe rs . go t Vihtavuori to release a quantity of it in May. 1989 and the 9mm Major !PSC set in Britain took to it instantly.

It is easy, th e refo re, to assume that thi s may be a ' ·magic powder' ' capable of achieving Major Powe r ratings with th e 9mm Lug e r ca rtrid ge under safe pressure limits .

I' m afraid not.


It isn't that easy! First of all. they measure pressure differently in th e U.K. and Europe both in method and , perhaps. limit.

All handguns. imported or domestic, must be .. proofed .. before sa le in th e Oni tcd Kingdom. That is. they arc fired with spec ified overload s to prove they arc safe and mechanically sound.

Pressure is measured in Great Britain in ·'Tons" per square inch, but most proof houses are now moving toward measuring everything in ' 'BAR." because that is the method used by the rest of Europe. BAR is one atmosphere, or approximately 14.5 lbs./square in.

It would be easy to compare pressures if everyone used the same methods and eq uipment. but as you can probably guess that isn't the case.

While pressure is sometimes measured in the Un ited States using a pressure gun and a copper crusher. the most popular means across the pond is by way of a piezoelectric transducer. The location of the tran sd ucer or the cru sher piston in either method is ex tremely influential in the final readi ngs.

SAAMI specifies that it should be placed precisely I 0.8mm from the breech face for the 9mm Luger cartridge while the proof houses in the U. K. locate the transducer I I mm from the breech face for the same round.

This location is the expected highest pressure point of the cartridge.

Also extremely influen tial in the final readings is w heth er a hol e i s drilled through the case wall before firing the ca rtridge in the pressure gun . Military testing in thi s country requires a drilled hole directly below the transducer. while the SAAMI method usuall y leaves the

level of caution expressed by many firearms and industry authorities against comparing pressure readin gs from overseas to our own SAAM! standards.

Major Nine Pressure Having sa id that, the pressure reading

report from a proof house in Birmingham for a 9mm Major load using Blue Dot was seen by this writer and it showed an average pressure of 2300 BAR , when 2600 BAR was considered maxim um.

Initial research in SAAMI data reveals their pressures based on the piezoelectric transducer sys tem recommend a maximum of 35 ,000 psi or approximatel y 2400 BAR. But again. we are very close to comparing apples and oranges and no one in his right mind should use thi s data strai ght away for their own load development as the exact pressure measuring procedures used are unknown.

This becomes especially apparent when one examines the remainin g detail s of some of the 9mm Major loads used in the United Kingdom. They are using lead round nose bu! lets weighing 158 grains! I have some in my possess ion and while I lacked a hardness tester I can say truthfully they are harder than Hammered Hell.

One source from overseas stated that I had the ·'soft" ones because the rea lly hard ones will shatter and not peel when struck with a hammer and chisel.

They do caution aga in st the use of jacketed bull ets in these loads because every jacketed sample used so far has been over-pressure.

The gunsmiths in Britain building 9mm Major guns also emphasize the need for a compensator on the gun. The most common barrel used with a compensator system i's the Peter Stahl 6" barrel with its polygonal

Another item of diff ere nee over there is the system of requiring every handgun to go through a proof

test before sale or resale. Also absent is the nefarious presence of both liability lawyers and

large liability settlements.

case intact. This results in the military tes tin g

method read ing lower pressures because the hole will ven t some gas at the earl y stages of ignit ion. The SAAMI method may not read higher. but it will demonstrat e more errati c read in gs because everything is being registered through the thickness or the brass wall.

Therefore. the brass must be ca librated to the tran sd ucer and if a production lot of brass is changed . then it must be reca librated.

Now let yo ur imagination run wild visualizing all of Murphy's Law scenarios possible and you can understand the

rifling and here again is another means for reducing barrel pressure because there is less friction with the polygonal rifling versus conventional rifling.

It makes you wonder if the compensator is truly the key or the polygonal rifling is what is needed.

A Sample Load Alan Wragg i s among the IPSC

shooters in the U.K. using Major 9 and hi s gun is an Tanfoglio-madc. clone of the CZ-75 marketing by Action Arms as the AT-84S with a Stahl 6" barrel and CD compensator.

The load employed uses Winchester

cases , and Winchester primers because. unlike previous Major 9 loads, Vihtavuori 3 37 wo rk s we ll with all A meri can primers and docsn ·t require 011/y Federal primers. The powder charge is 6.2 grains of Vihtavuori 3 37 .

The bullet is a hardcast Hardy & Fils 158 gr. lead round nose .38 Special bullet measuring .356" and the overall loaded length is 1.165" with. in this case. the bullet seated well out.

Alan power factors close to 180 w ith this gun and load combination.

Many commen tators w ill noti ce that the loaded cartridge length also has a big influence on overall pressure. but some Brilish gunsmiths recommend an overa ll length of 1.135" for best feeding results and this will fit eas il y into any of the more popular Wonclcrnine magazi nes.

Winchester Says No, No, No, Never!

The differences between the recomm end ed SAAMI pressures and th e methods and pressure levels used overseas are many.

It is also appropriate to stress that representatives of Winchester-Olin emphasize that no smokeless powder exists in the world today will allow the 9mm Luger round to safely make IPSC major power factors under SAAMI specs with any bullet/load combination.

Copper Units of Pressure, or CUPs. simply will not translate to data obtained using a piezoelectric transducer. Acid to thi s the advantages gained with polygonal rifling. freeboring the chamber, va ri ous compensator systems, and the variabl es achieve a geometric progression.

Another item of difference over there is the system of requiring every handgun to go through a proof test before sa le or resale. Eventuall y some of the weaker sisters seen over here would be eliminated with this system.

Also absent is the nefariou s presence of both liabilit y lawyer s and large liability settlemen ts.

But the greatest difference may be in the attitude toward pressure in the first place.

British 9mm serv ice round s have a servi ce pressure o f 2600 BAR and a proof pressure of 3380 BAR or roughly 49,0 I 0 lbs./sq.in. of pressure.

It is labeled 2Z and "Two Zed'' is hot in anyone's language, but the British military uses it regularly in the Brownings wi th so ft slides, and the slides are replaced on a regular, but unknown interval.

All of which doesn't make it any easier for the shooter in thi s country wan ting to build a gun for Major 9. but if quantities of Yihtavuori 3 37 eve r become available over here in substantial amounts. my guess i s interest in Major 9 will increase si gnifi cant l y among America's handloacling ..._ handgunncrs. ~


All SIG SAUER Small Arms are distinguished by their dependable performance in the field, and double action readiness for enhanced first shot potential.

For over 125 years, the SIG name has been synonymous with highly accurate, safe handling firearms. We build the finest guns in the world because we build safety, reliability and accuracy into every firearm we manufacture.

Contact SIGARMS today for the name of your local SIG SAUER Dealer. He's anxious to show you how SIG SAUER Handguns give you the tactical edge.

SIG SAUER HANDGUNS ••• THE TACTICAL EDGE!

SIGARMS...._ ___ ..... SIGARMS INC. Industrial Drive Exeter, NH 03833

SIG SAUER P 220: 7 + 1 ROUND, .45 ACP SIG SAUER P 225: 8 + 1 ROUND 9mm PARA SIG SAUER P 226: 15 + 1 ROUND (20 + 1 OPTIONAL) 9mm PARA SIG SAUER P 230: 7 + 1 ROUND .380 ACP STAINLESS or BLUED

SIG encourages safe shooting . Consult your local District Attorney's office or police authorities for rules and regulations governing firearms ownership in your area. When handling firearms, fo llow safety guidel ines in owner's manual. If a manual is not accompanied with your weapon, please contact SIGARMS for a replacement manual.

By Dave Anderson

0 ne of the more enduring handgun controversies has been the 9mm versus .45 ACP debate. A standard com

ponent of the controversy is magazine capacity- eight or nine big .45 rounds compared to 14 or more dinky 9mm's.

While the debate will no doubt continue , .45 ACP fans can now add a new dimension to the argument with the introduction of the Para-Ordnance 13-shot frame for the classic 1911 autopistol.

Para-Ordnance Mfg., Inc. is based in Scarborough, Ontario, and has best been known until now for its M-85 Dye Marking Tactical Machine Pistol, developed for military and police training and currently the hot set-up in the paint-ball survival games. (Fred Romero reviewed the M-85 in his story "Paint Wars" in the 1987 American Handgunner Annual.)

With the M-85 in production, designer Ted Szabo then turned his attention to the problem of making a big-capacity .45 auto. He wanted to design a frame that would use as many standard 19 ll parts as possible; that would not be excessively large or heavy; and that would offer high quality and durability at an affordable price.

And, just to make the challenge a little tougher, he wanted it to be compatible with both Series 70 and Series 80 Colt pistols.

PAU·ORDNANCE 13 SHOT .45 FRAME

The frame sent for evaluation was pulled from a standard production run, and based on this sample it appears that Szabo has met his goals admirably. The design , workmanship and quality of materials used all provide evidence of a very well-made product.

The Para-Ordnance frame is made by investment casting from what the makers describe as "aircraft grade, precision light alloy." After casting. the frame is heattreated, then machined to final tolerances and hard anodized.

The casting is well done, with crisp, symmetrical lines . The surface shows slight irregularities, typical of investment

Continued on page 97

The Para-Ordnance frame and magazine are noticeably larger than their standard Gov't Model counterparts. However, the author found that the high-capacity .45 did not feel fat or awkward in the hand. Actually, several test shooters liked the he~ of the Para-Ordnance better.

7


Ruger Rebate ~

(

Super Redhawk Redhawk GPIOO Adj. Sight GPIOO Fixed Sight SPlOl .H Magnum .41 and .44 Magnum .357 Magnum .357 Magnum 5-Shot .38 Special

Cut your best deal on any of these fine Ruger Double-Action Revolvers at your local firearms retailer and receive a factory rebate.

Offer begins February I, 1990 and expires June 30, 1990.

Free instruction manuals for all Ruger firea rms are available upon request.

i.(J)1 STURM, RUGER • & Company, Ine. 2 Lacey Place South port, Con necricu r 06-1-90

Ruger, Redhawk, GP100, and SP101 are registered U.S. trademarks. Entire contents © 1990, Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.

T ime. as most of us know. is calibrated from Greenwich. England. All measurements of time are based on Greenwich Mean Time.

Distance also has its measurement beginning in Greenwich. Longitude in this London borough starts at 0 degrees. For time and distance, the world looks to England. Even the daily price of gold is set in London.

Of no less significance- at least to handgunners- is the fact that presidents , monarchs. potentates and dictators also beat a path to England in order to acquire what many consider the world ·s finest

34

THE ~OTTAGE in SHAROW By A l Pickles

handgun leather. The "path." and it is quite literally just

that, winds its way to a small cottage in the hamlet of Sharow. The Cottage, as it is aptly named, is 400 years old and rests in an area of great importance.

Were you to visit this cottage, you would be impressed first by its modesty, and second by its substance. In a small office a personalized photo of President Ronald Reagan accompanies a written expression of appreciation to the man who lives and works in the Cottage.

Surrounding the photo are dozens of unsolicited Jaw enforcement patches trac-

Andy's unique "middle of the back" holster is one the best concealment rigs in the world, says the author. Andy's collection of gun forms (left) which he uses to mold each holster by hand to its particular gun.

ing the fame and appreciation for the owner from one corner of the United States to the other. In fact , the influence of our cottage workman- artist if you will- stretches around the world.

The man is an Englishman, of Armenian extraction, and his products are carried by true professionals the world over. These are the men who serve and guard presidents, monarchs, potentates, and yes, even dictators. His name, Andy Arratoonian, is known from our Secret Service to the French Surete and, I have little doubt. even to the KGB.

In his second floor workshop , about the size of most American bedrooms. Andy puts aside his Zane Gray novel, rolls a cigarette, and feeds a stack of Mexican records onto his player. He is ready for work and starts sorting through a stack of mail- a rather large stack at that. Not all will end up wearing one of his holsters.

There are a few letters from Singapore. Surprisingly, law enforcement from that corner of the world are heavily into IPSC combat pistolcraft, which they refer to as Practical Pistol Courses (PPC). The SIG, Glock, CZ 75, and H&K P7M8 are very popular in that part of the world.

The first Malaysian is a PPC shooter who wants an Arratoonian rig to replace his "Sidekick" nylon holster which rides on a Pierre Cardin designer belt and houses a Glock. He won ' t get one on two counts.

First, it is obvious to Andy that the man doesn't know what he is about and, second , Andy doesn't make IPSC rigs anymore. He just does not have time for anything but serious professional conceal-ment holsters. The price of world fame.

The phone rings for the first of what Continued on page 75


Introducing new ESCORT and self.powered SOLO The new ESCORT:

Incredible performance

A Cinc innati ~ li crow:ve. we"ve continuousJ1· advanced the science of radar warning since we introduced the original ESCORT in 1978.

But we've never stopped striving for another quantum leap. And now we·ve found it: DSP

Incredible technology DSP is Digital Signal Processing. a tcchnologv

vi rtualJ1· unheard of in personal electron ics. but used in many exotic electron ic devices.

DSP is used bv NASA to create detailed space photos from blurrv images. It's used to deliver sharp images from medical scanners. And now we.re using DSP to fi nd radar signals too weak to be detected b1· convent ional technolO!,'Y

How it works The new ESCORT"s DSP circuitrv samples

incoming radar signals 50,000 times a second. slicing them into discrete bits of information. This data is then digitized and continuouslv analvzed bl" an internal comp~ter. The end result is incredible.

7/ie lx.¥111 ef £SWFrr:1 DSP ci1rni/J.T is Ibis 20 .1/11: 2, bit l/CllOSp1rxe:1sm: t1tm/0111 rmion oftlie ,\/Olorola D!JP 56000.

Breakthrough performance New ESCORT provides an incredible increase

in sensitivity on both bands. Quite simpl y, this means that the new ESCORT picks up radar signals much further awav than ever before possible. All this in an incredibll· compact package, onlv · " high and 3\4 " wide. The science of radar warning will never be the same.

The right stuff New ESCORT and SOLO have all of the advanced

features we pioneered with ESCORT and PASSPORT. Variable rate audio. with different tones for X and K bands. Alert lamp. ten-segment meter. Dark mode. and a ,\lute switch with a new Auto-1\lute li.mclion. A batterv-sm·er even turns SOLO off if 1·ou forget.

ESCORT $295

Ohio residents acid $17. "0 sales tax

Prices sl ight!\ higher in Canada

ESCORJ: RADAR WARNING RECEIVER

Bad news for thieves: A new security system in new ESCORT and SOLO makes them of little use to anyone but the rightful owner. Here's how it works:

The system is fully automatic, and easy to use. Included with your new radar detector is a tiny electronic "Digital Key'"" to put on your key ring (see the main photo above and the cutaway below).

Atlualsce cutmmr ofD1;q1!al A·,~·

About every two months , your radar detector's circuitry will prompt you to insert your Digital Key into a small jack on your detector, and turn your detector on. After confirming that you used the right Digital Key, your radar detector will reset its Jock and will be ready for two more months of use. That's all there is to it.

However, for someone who doesn't have the right key (and there are thousands of different Dig ital Keys). the radar detector simply won't work. And needless to say, there's little economic incentive for a thief to steal your radar detector if he can't sell it. And if a stolen ESCORT or SOLO is ever returned to our factory for service, we'll immediately contact you (if you have reported the theft to us) .

Although nothing is totally "theft-proof;' our new Digital Key security system will help keep your new ESCORT or SOLO yours.

Everything included Both new ESCORT and SO LO come complete

with leather case. visor clip. windshield mount. and comprehensive owner ·s manual. ESCORT includes power cords (straight, coiled, and direct wire). wh ile SOLO includes both lithium and alkaline 9 volt batteries and a travel case.

Call Toll Free 1-800-543-1608 (24 hours a dav. 7 days a week)

~Ea ~ ~SClU8 ~ INTE~NAI QNAl

Or mail us your order: Ci ncinnati . .\ licroll"al"e ... Dept. 6.19~50 One .\licrowave Plaza Cincinnat i. Ohio ~)1~9

SOLO: A new kind of radar detector -'o power cord

Jr you "re a business u~1veler. alwavs switchi ng betll"een cars and using ren tals in distant citi es. vou need the most convenient radar detector possibl e. But radar detectors have always been less than ideal for traveling. L'1ltil now.

Revolutionary convenience After l\\u l"ears of development, we.re introducing

SOLO. the first self-powered superheterodrne radar detector. You just mount it on \"Our visor or windshield and turn it on. lt ·s that simple.

SO LO doesn · t need a power cord. recharger. or add-on batterv pack. Its remarkable design uses onlv 2",, of the power of a conventional radar detector. As a result. SOl.O operates about 200 hours on a single 9 \'olt lithium batten· (or 0 hours on a standard alkaline)

Hours of Daily Usage 2.0 •••

1.0

.5 ••••••••••••••

4 5 12 13

Approximate Battery Ltte (months ) Lithium • Alkaline

Uncompromised performance SOLO has the same long-range ll'arning as our

test-winning PASSPORT. in an even smal ler package (about .\.J'' ll x 21 "W. weighing onh· 51/.! ounces). And unlike most batterv-powered devices. SOl.O maintains full performance 01·er its full batten· lite.

t\ew self-powered SOLO mal" be the first radar detector that"s nel"er too much trouble to use.

Factory Direct \Ve onlv sell direct from our facton· to you. and

we guarantee l"OUr sati sfacti on. If 1·ou"re not completeh· satisfi ed in .)0 da1·s. just return 1·our purchase for a ful l refund. You can·t lose.

The most acll'anced radar detectors in the world are onlv a tol l-free call awav. Call todal".

SHF·POWEREO

SOl!O RAOAR·R ECEIVER

SOLO $345

Ohio residents acid S20-'0 sales tax

Prices slighth· higher in Canada

o 19')()C.lll

HANDGUNNING HINTS

Hand Pinch

36

5. Too short a tang can permit this fleshy part of the hand to creep above it ...

l. Shooting the small pistol can be great fun. Most are made in small calibers for cheap plinking. But there can be a problem.

3. In small pistols this can be rather short.

Bennett Viken and Robin Sutton

/ _

I

2. Automatic pistols have a rear swept-back strap ending in a protruding tang.

4. Besides its mechanical functions, this tang serves to guard the web of the shooting hand.

6 .... resulting in a nasty pinch from the receiver action when firing.

8. To avoid hand pinch, make a visual check of your

_ hold before you begin shooting.

© Bennett Viken and Robin Sutton 1989


ProTimer III™ • Easy operation. Just tum it on and

start shooting for most common operation modes.

• Automatically selects shot detection and stop plate switch operations. Par time available on shot and stop plate modes.

• Bold LCD display and touch pad controls on top of unit provide convenient viewing/operation.

• Features low-frequency buzzer or optional high-frequency buzzer.

• Lightweight custom-molded housing with clear dust cover top seals out contamination.

• Coupling jack for man-on-man or remote start.

• Powered by 9-volt alkaline battery in easy access compartment.

All this performance for only $225.00.

ProThch'M Chronograph •Portable easy to set-up on table or

standard camera tripod. Indoor/ outdoor capability.

• Records number of shots, velocity from shot-to-shot without resetting, and average velocity per shot string.

• Provides direct velocity readouts from 75 to 4500 fps with accuracy to 1/ 2%.

• Large LCD display for positive viewing from firing position. Display includes low battery indicator.

• Diffuser hoods included to assist built-in skyscreens on bright days.

• Powered by 9-volt alkaline battery. • Optional remote control allows

resetting for number of shots and average velocity from up to 20 ft.

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ProTuch'M CLASSIC Chronograph • The classic down-range sensor

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• Easy set-up and operation for indoor/ outdoor use. Pre-assembled sensors mount on standard camera tripod.

• Displays high and low velocities, extreme spread, standard deviation, average velocity, shot number and average shot velocities.

• 75 to 4500 fps velocity range with accuracy to within 1/2 %.

• Memory stores up to 24 shots, calculates up to 211 shots.

• Edit function allows removal of unwanted velocities from shot string.

IC Competition Electronics, Inc. 2542 Point O' Woods Rockford , IL 61111

• True, standard deviation. • Large LCD display with low battery

indicator. • Powered by 9-volt alkaline battery. • Diffuser hoods included for bright

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Complete, ready-to-use at just $189.95.

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ORDER NOW! Call Toll-Free 1-800-222-3845. Visa, MasterCard and COD accepted. Illinois residents add 6-1 / 4% sales tax. Add $4.50 for shipping and handling. Certified check or money order by mail.

LEAl'HAM'S COLUMN ROB LEATHAM

·.

WATCH THE SIGHTS AND LEAVE THE SHOOTING TO YOUR SUBCONSCIOUS

L ook at the front sight and squeeze the trigger!

Th ose im m ort a l wo rds of instruction arc echoed by every

fath er and shoo ting instructor. the very essence of marksmanship fun damentals. Thi s is fine as far as it goes, but it"s a bit simplistic.

In my classes I stress the importance of basic ma rksman shi p pr inc iples li ke any other instructor. but I 've fo und that the true application of these bas ics is genera l ly only partia ll y ex plained. Here's what I mean.

Wh en yo u are to ld to look at yo ur sights, the benefi t you receive ex tends way beyond seeing where the gun is po inting. You also let your s11hco11scio11s sec!

To shoot fast and accurate, you must

port ion o f the target for a per fec t sight pictu re. Your focus now shifts back to verify the sight alignment, then back to check on the sight pi cture and so on. Back and forth , back and forth .

Excellent accuracy can be achieved in thi s manner and it is certainly the way to hit the tiny X -ring al 50 yards on a bull seye target. This is not the way to hit the huge A-zone of an IPSC target at 50 feet!

Speed ing up the process does little to help you shoot fast and accurate. When speed is needed. you don' t have time for the fi nesse of excruciatingly correct sight behav ior- no, you need a quick peek at the sights and a thum p on the tri gger!

The probl em lies in asking the conscious mind to per form too many tasks in rap id success ion. Fo lks, that hemisphcri-

Intense concentration is evident on Springbok shooter Paul Bromfie/d's face.

train your subconsc ious to do a much of the shooting as poss ib le. T he sights are your on ly indica to r to the subconsc ious th at yo ur gun is al igned on the target. This is a cue for the subconsc ious to say, " Fi re the gun. dummy!'.

The advice I give to my sw dents is to not on ly wa tch th e front sight at th e in stan t before the gun f i res, but al so keep see in g th e sight mov e in reco il. Watch that front sight through its trave l in reco il and as the gun cyc les. T his permits the subconsc ious to fire the gun just as soon as the front sight j umps back down out of reco i l.

This all sounds a bi t conf usi ng. so I ' ll give you an example. W hen shooting on a purely consc ious level, you recognize the presence of the sight and noti ce its relati onship to the rear sight ·s notch. W hen they appear suitabl y aligned, your concent ration then shift s to placing this correctly aligned pai r o f sights on the proper

ca l gray organ upstai rs can do some pretty spectacular things, but lining up pistol sights perfect ly in less than a fi fth of a second ain' t one of them!

T he so luti on is to get your subconsc ious mind. that sleeping giant of a computer, to take over some of the work.

W hat th e top speed shoo ter s have learn ed is that the fas tes t way to fi re a pistol accurately is to simply look at the target and po in t the gun . The gun " fi res it sel f ,"' or at leas t it seem s th at way when the subconsc ious takes care of the tr igger action .

I have seen thi s exp lained as Index Shoo ting or Instinct Shoot ing. bu t ne i ther exp lanati on is abso lutely correc t , yet both allude to the use of the subconsc ious mind which is exact ly wi)at we ' re ta lk ing about here. For lack of a better name. let ·s ca ll it Shoot ing S.C . ( for SubConsc ious).

When you dri ve your car, you seldom

rhi11/.: about all the tin y details it takes just to get out of a parking lot, let alone pilot that vehicle across town in heavy traffic. The same mysteri ous part of your brain contro ls your shooting functi ons. Just as you can learn to "automati ca ll y" fl ick your turn signal indicator, so too can you program your gun to fire .. automaticall y."

The trick, of course, is learning how to do it. Well. at the outset let me tell you that Shooting S.C. is not that mysterious and if you have shot any amount at al I. you probably already have many of the skill s required.

Ask yoursel f thi s: when you' re shooting fas t , can you fee l yourse l f getting tense? If so. that's a sign that your consc ious mind is being overl oaded try ing keep up with the rap id v isual input and all the necessary comm ands to handle the complex acti v ity of shooting a gun fas t. This creates confusion and stress, which in turn causes tension.

Those finely honed musc les that have been tedi ously prog ramm ed to handl e that $2.500 .38 Super W il son doublecomp th rough night after ni ght of reli g ious dry-fi r ing, now those musc les are bunched up in tension. Gone is that subtl e " fee l " fo r the tri gger, absent is that flu id fl ow of movement that is a ba llet of man and gun.

Now you j erk the gun around, flinching on the tri gger and pulling the pi sto l harshly. Your score plummets.

That 's your conscious mind in over-load. The subconsc ious takes all that stress

and tension away and lct"s you perform that marvelous choreography of shooting that you tra ined so hard to perfect. Now all you do is look at the target, align the sights and let the gun go bang all by itsel f. Your score rockets, your best run ever!

The way to tra in your subconscious to do your shooting is fa irl y simple- fire a lot of rounds, fas t.

The drill I use in my classes is to place an I PSC ta rget at seven yard s and then draw and fire six shots into the A-zone. The directi ve to the student is to tell me how high the front sight reco il s in relati on to the target.

The nex t detail I ask is where, exactly, the shots went. " I thin k the second or third shot went off whi le the gun was still comi ng down." Being ab le to ca ll your shots like that w ithout look ing at the ta rget is very import ant, a va luab le sk ill that all ows you to make recovery shots in a match.

When you see a top shooter perform, running on hi s subconsc ious, it looks easy. Hey, it is! I explain it like this: it 's eas ier for me to shoot six A s in two seconds than it is for a beg inner to do it in ten. I'm doing it all ·'automatically" whi le the beginner is struggli ng w ith hi s conscious mind of every shot.

Shooting fast and accurate is no secret. Just relax, track your sights. call ~ your shots and let it happen. ~


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40

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Blend a sako rifle action to a handgun stock and you get

HANF LE! By John Taj.fin

The perfect gun for The Masters arrived a little too late for me to be

come really acquainted with it before going to Barry, Illinois to take part in the four day competition .

The Long Range Event of The Masters requires 10 shots in 90 seconds, at two different distances, and at two different size targets. The gun used must be flat shooting and capable of getting off one aimed shot every nine seconds . This means that the shooter must be unbelievably quick or the gun must be a repeater, or both .

Bill Wiseman is building some of the best possible hanfles both for hunting and for shooting in The Masters that are available anywhere. Hanfle, lest one not be acquainted with the term , stands for handgun /rifle which is exactly what the Wiseman Sako is .

I would have been a wise man had I taken this Wiseman to The Masters. As it turned out , I was so slow with the single shot that I did use in Long Range that I never got off more than six shots of the 10 allowed.

Wiseman 's Sako 7-08 is a five-shot bolt action that works incredibly smoothly, much smoother than any rifles I own , and operates flawlessly. In all of the test firing that I did with Bill's 7-08, there was nary a hitch or bobble at any time. Every cartridge fed perfectly and extracted perfectly.

The stock on this 7-08 Sako is a deep, dark red laminate with a rear grip finger groove stock that allows it to be used either right or left handed . The action is glass bedded and the barrel is left free floating . The trigger guard is part of the resin impregnated stock. The barrel is cut with seven flutes running from just ahead of the chamber to the integral muzzle brake.

The muzzle brake is really a vital part of the Wiseman 7-08 and it combined with the 5.75 pound weight of the gun and scope made recoil of no consequence whatsoever. The maximum weight allowable at The Masters Long Range Event just happens to be 5.75 pounds. I was able to shoot this 7-08 standing, off sandbags , and Creedmore in complete comfort.

Wiseman has reported that he has

been able to get one-inch groups with his guns at 100 yards. The groups I fired were in the one and one-half inch neighborhood, but I do not believe these give a true picture of the accuracy potential of these custom built Sako's . The test gun supplied was mounted with a 2X Leupold scope which, while perfect for revolvers , at least for this shooter does not give enough magnification for really precise shooting. Use of a 4X or larger scope would probably see group sizes cut in half, but a scope would have to be picked that weighs the same or less than the 2X Leupold to be able to make Tournament Weight.

Three loads were tried in Wiseman 's 7mm. Remington factory 120's chronographed at 2894 fps , Remington factory 140's went 2618 fps , and my "mild" silhouette load of 35.0 grains of H4895 with Sierra 's 139 grain spire point clocked out at 2351 fps .

All loads grouped well, convincing me even more that this would be an excellent choice for the Long Range Event at The Masters. The cartridge is plenty potent and deadly accurate , and the muzzle brake combined with the bolt action five-shot capability makes quick repeat shots possible . The muzzle brake itself is very unob.trusive , consisting of three rows of eight holes each completely around the barrel. It works and works well!

For the hunter, Wiseman 's Sako bolt guns are furnished with removable swivels for slinging this potent hanfle. When one realizes that the .270 Winchester, long regarded as an excellent rifle for North American big game , delivers a 130 grain bullet at 2900-3000 fps from a 24" barrel , then the 7-08 Wiseman Sako All really stacks up quite nicely. With 10 inches less barrel , it manages to propel a 120 grain bullet at 2900 fps and do it with less felt recoil.

Bill Wiseman 's work is absolutely top drawer and he may be reached at Bill Wiseman & Co., P.O. Box 3427, Dept AH , Bryan , TX 77805. Three dollars will get a catalog containing full details on custom guns built on both AI and Aii actions and in other calibers such as .223 , .22-250, .243 , .308 and ..._. some pretty potent wildcats. ~


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SILUEl'AS ----------------JOHN TAFFIN YOU CAN 11BUY11 HIGHER SCORES, BUT IT STILL TAKES HARD WORK

I n Jun e of 1987 , IHMSA officia ll y adopted its price ceiling rul e. NRA Silhouette rules do not recogn ize thi s ruling and there is no price ceil

ing for those who shoot under the NRA banner.

The idea put forth by IHMSA for the ce iling price for a ll gun s, except those used in Unlimited competiti on, was that of protecting competitors from engaging in an eq uipment race and also he lping new shooters to rea li ze that they did not have to spend a great dea l of money to compete .

The original ce iling price was set at $675 a nd both Freedom Arms Single Actions and Colt Python s were banned immed iatel y. Pythons made before th e re tail price rose above $675 were still legal. Presentl y, the official lHMSA ceiling price, clue to inflation over the past two years, is set at $694. This also eliminates the Desert Eag le.

The ceiling price was set with the idea of preventing a shooter from buying better scores simpl y by purchasing a better gun. Since we have numerous guns that are a lready betrer than the game--capable o f shooting perfec t scores out-of-thebox- it is not really necessary to spend big money to get an unneeded better gun.

But it is definitely possible to buy success. Not by spending the money on guns,

but on equipment: items that will really serve to raise scores when the same gu n is empl oyed. Each of the item s me ntioned co uld be worth one or two or more additional targets for each match . It wi ll be easy to see the a rithm e tic effect of adding a number of items a ll des igned to improve the scores of th e average silhouetter.

Silhouetting success req uires practice, and thi s does not have to be a programmed practice of constantly shooting silhouette targets over and over aga in .

In fact , such a practice program could become very boring and have a negative effect. Having to maintain a number of different disciplines , it is easy fo r me to rea li ze a remarkabl e fact: all shooting is c lo se ly re lated whether it be act ion shooting, or bu llseye, or prec ision , or silhouetting. All req uire that the same good habit is in still ed and maintained, namely look at th e sights! This is absolute ly essential and benefic ial practice comes from any type of shooting that is not allowed to get sloppy.

Prac tice requires s hootin g lot s of ammunition which simply means that any shooter, unless he has some way of gettin g unlimited suppli es of ammunition," must re load . ft was not too many years ago that progress ive re loaclers were way out of the reach of the average shoote r.

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All that has changed and progress ives are now avai lable at reasonabl e prices from Dillon , Hornacly, Lee and RCBS .

1 have been using a Hornacly Pro-Jector (.38/.357,.44 Specia l/.44 Magnum , and .45 Co lt/.454 Casull ) and a Lee Progress ive I 000 (.32 Magnum) now for a co upl e of years. Without hurry ing , but simply by maintaining a smooth working attitude and an uninterrupted atmosphere (pl ease leave me alone when I am loading on a progress ive!), it is possible to eas ily average 300 rounds per hour. That is 300 quality rounds of practice or competition ammuni ti on leaving extra time for shooting instead of reload ing.

Three fri end s that hav e th e Dillon Square Dea l speak highl y of it and I have just bo lted an RCBS PiggyBack to my Rock Chucker. This gives me the use of three progress ives , mounte d on th e bench, set up , and ready to go for less than the price of one good silhouette gun. A rea l step towards greater success in silhouetting or any other form of shooting.

Progressive Ammo How good is ammunition loaded on a

progress ive? The first rounds loaded on the PiggyBack were NEl 's #295.429 Keith 285 grain cast bullet dropped from a four cav ity mold by RPB High Performance Cast Bullets, ( 12 10 Alexander Rel. , Dept AH , Colorado Springs, CO 80909).

Us in g 2 1. 5 gra in s of WW 296 in Win ches te r .44 Mag num brass , these rounds shot into one and one-fourth inches, five shots at 25 yards. Muzzle velocity from a six- inch Smith & Wesson Classic Hunter was 1320 fps.

Loaded on a progressive, bullets cast not from a sing le cav ity mold , but from a fou r cav it y block, and a fu ll house load goes into nearl y one-inch. Lt just does not get much better than thi s!

Along with reload ing it is also essential to hav e a way of safely sto ring and labe ling ammuniti on. Any time I he lp a new shooter get started re load ing, I insist that MTM cartridge boxes are purchased that will accept th e exac t quantity of empty brass purchased.

MTM offers boxes in 50, 60 and I 00 round capac ities and in various sizes to accept virtually every different cartridge that is offered. These boxes not only keep ammunition in order when loads a re being developed , but a lso of even more importance is th e fact that competition ammunition is kept in perfec t shape until it is needed for the match.

Safe, secure , and ready when needed. An inex pensive plasti c cartridge box is a cheap pri ce to pay to e ns ure thi s. No way wou ld I want to go back to my earl y clays of re loading and try in g to re- use the cardboard cartrid ge boxes over and over again.

Devloping Loads There are two ways to develop silhou

Cont inued on page 94


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5 mith & Wesson has made, and continues to make, some of the most beautiful revolvers in the world. Beginning in the l 860's

with the various American, Russian and Schofield Models, Smith & Wesson began a tradition of building reliable and aesthetically pleasing revolvers.

The tradition almost died in 1880 with the introduction of the first Smith & Wesson double-action, a leading candidate for

action revolvers of today and was catalogued as the .38 Military and Police.

By 1942, 1,000,000 M&P's had been built. Only one-third as many of the famous Colt Single Actions were made from 1873 to 1941. If the M&P became the standard for double-action revolvers. the .38 Special became the standard revolver cartridge.

In 1899 the government cartridge was the .38 Long Colt. Smith & Wesson

powder lo 21 grains and the bullet weight was increased to the standard 158 grains at a velocity approximately 100 fps faster than the Long Colt.

The .38 Special Military & Police never became much of a military sidearm. but it was the police duty weapon for many years. The great versatility of the .38 Special cartridge can be appreciated by looking at two things that happened in the a few years from 1927

he • 8 Spec1a to 1930. And these were two totally opposite events.

The Smith & Wesson Military and Police and the Colt Police Positive were the standard police service revolvers. The need arose

the ugliest revolver of all time. Then, in 1899, Smith & Wesson intro

duced a sleek new double-action and a new cartridge. The new revolver was the first of the basic Smith & Wesson double-

r:p:- 13.5 grs #2400 L:..:._ l 3.5 grs #2400

6.0 grs Unique l l .5 grs #2400

8.5 grs HS-6 l l .5 grs #2400

8.5 grs HS-6 4" 8.5 grs Herco bbl. 8.0 grs Unique

9.5 grs AA#5 11.0 grs HS-7

6 .0 grs Unique 6.0 grs Unique 6.0 grs Unique 7.5 grs AA#7 6 .0 grs AA#5

11 .0 grs H4227

611 4.0 grs HP38 bbl. 3.5 grs Bullseye

High

increased the length of the cartridge case from the 1.035" length of the .38 Long Colt to 1.155'' and the .38 Special was born. At the same time the powder charge was increased from I 81/, grains of black

for a more concealable handgun. so what else to look at but a .38 Special?

Colt simply rounded the butt of the Police Positive, cut the barrel length to two-inches and the Detective Special was

e for anc 38 S ecial o • e Loads

··"'···· ······" Sierra 140 gr. JHP l ;

......... ... ~ ; s ··········t ·· ie rra

~],,;~ -- l 25J~~ w.

l .............. ~Jlxman .. #35.s4i? .. ...... L.t rrir:i.ri .. ft.~ .5..~J. ?.~Q<::: ....

RCBS #38- l 50KT

~ ·: •••••••• " ....... .. .. · · ·~ · "•"< •• • ••••• • ' •• ' •••• ··~ •••••••

---·--------~-~1----- Speer 4.0 grs WW452AA

4 .0 grs WW23 l 7.0 grs HS-6

5.0 grs Herco 5.0 grs Unique

' :=-__,,_=;:--- 0------1-! ----!;.......--+-- 158 gr. -t=:::·::·····=·····=· ··::·····=·····=····::·····=· ··=·· =:.-...::::; ·········' .................... swc .

!

500 600 700 800 900 1 000 1 1 00 1 200 1 300 1400 1 500 Velocity {feet per second) **Lyman #358156 *Lyman #358429

Approach all handloading carefully by reducing charges listed by at least 10% and working up cautiously. WARNING: Neither the author nor American Handgunner accept responsibility for results obtained with this reloading information due to the inherent variation in handloading components and individual reloading techniques.


born. Who would have ever believed that 60 years later ignorant individuals would refer to such fine weapons as the Colt Detective Special and the later Smith & Wesson Chief 's Special as "Saturday Night Specials"?

Shortly after the .38 Special became a detective's favorite in the Colt sixgun, Smith & Wesson answered the call for greater power, again with the .38 Special, by introducing the .38/44 Heavy Duty and the companion .38/44 Outdoorsman in 1930-1931. These were massive revolvers, built on what is now known as the N-frame, designed to handle a pre-+P full-house Hi-Speed .38 Special load consisting of a 158 grain bullet at 1175 fps. Elmer Keith's and Phil Sharpe's experiments with the .38/44 led directly to the . 357 Magnum in 1935.

Police sidearm, detective's favorite and outdoorsman's powerful sixgun. Could the .38 Special fill any other slots in the shooting world?

It certainly could, and did, with the coming of the .38 Special target revolvers in the l 940's. Some of the most accurate revolvers ever built bear the names Smith & Wesson K-38 Masterpiece and Colt Officer's Model Match, both naturally in .38 Special.

The .38 Special has resided in some of finest sixguns ever made. Besides the above mentioned large frame .38/44 Heavy Duty and Outdoorsman, and the target frame K-38 and Officer's Model Match, the .38 Special was also found in the very large Colt New Service and the Colt Single Action Army".

All but the K-38 are long gone. Today the .38 Special is found mostly in small frame revolvers from S&W, Charter

bullets. The load is put together with Keith's #358429 over 13.5 grains of Hercules #2400 in .38 Special brass with standard primers.

This is a Heavy Duty +P+ load an d only for use in .357 Magnum revolvers and heavy frame .38 Special revolvers such as the Colt, Ruger, Dan Wesson and Smith & Wesson.

It does 1314 fps in the four - inch Model 19 and over 1400 fps in the Model 27 with eight and three-eighths inch barrel. My Model 27 had to be specially designed for the Keith .38 Special load. It shoots it that good!

Skeeter Skelton also favored the use of .38 Special brass in his .357 Magnums, favorites of which were the six and onehalf inch Ruger Flat-Top, the four-inch Model 19, and the five-inch Model 27 . Skeeter used Lyman's Ray Thompson designed #358156 semi-wadcutter gas check bullet seated in the bottom crimp groove over Elmer's powder charge. This load is less powerful by about 50 fps than Keith's .38 Special load.

I not only use Skeeter's load in .357's, but also in my .38 Chief's Special. This is not a recommended load. But I shoot it sparingly and it is very comforting to me to know that the little two-inch Chief's Special will deliver the 158 grain SWC bullet at over 1100 fps.

Actually I prefer either the Keith bullet or RCBS 's 150 grain SWC "Keith" in .38 Special brass instead of messing with the gas-checked Thompson bullet normally preferring to save them for fullhouse .357 loads.

More traditional loads for the .38 Special are assembled with 158 grain cast bullets from Bull-X ( 102 S. Main St.,

Tons of Hercules Bullseye has been consumed, 2.7 grains at a time, under 148 grain HBWC

bullets in the .38 Special. Arms and Ruger, and imports such as the Taurus.

Like most reloaders, I learned with the .38 Special as one of my first cartridges, second by a few months only to the .45 Colt. The first two revolvers I loaded for were the Colt Single Action .45 Colt and the Ruger .357 Blackhawk, the Flat-Top.

I really had no intention of reloading for the .38 Special until I loaded my first .357 Magnum rounds and found the bullet I wanted to use , Lyman ' s #358429, Keith's 168 grain SWC. would not chamber in the short cylinder of the Ruger .357.

The obvious solution was to get another bullet mold, but I came heir to a whole batch of Winchester-Western .38 Special cases, stumbled onto Keith's .38 Special load, and 1 was in business.

The standard Keith .38 Special load has been around for nearly 60 years now and is still one of the best for those .357 Magnum revolvers that do well with cast

Dept. AH, Farmer City, IL 61842. Phone 309-928-2574.)

My longtime standard .38 Special regular load has been a 158 grain SWC over 5.0 grains of Unique. At 850 fps, this is a fine varmint and jack rabbit load and certainly much better as a defensive load than the round-nosed .38 Special. The 158 grain Bull-X .38 Special SWC bullet fits the bill nicely.

The same results can be had with 4.0 grains of WW452AA, 6.0 grains of AA#5, or 7.5 grains of AA#7. Going to 5.0 grains of Herco or 7.0 grains of HS-6 results in about I 00 fps more velocity and 11.0 grains of H4227 nudges the 158 grain .38 Special bullet over the 1000 fps mark and right into the +P category.

Actually, I get very little practice with standard .38 Special loads. What I do get is a lot of practice reloading and watching my wife shoot them up. The Hornady ProJector is set up for .38 Special/.357 Magnum and cranks out a lot of 900-


1000 fps loads for my wife to shoot up in a Ruger Flat-Top and an eight-inch Python. She's worth it.

Many police departments allow the carrying of .357 Magnum revolvers but require the use of .38 Special ammunition. There are several reasons for this not the least of which is the fact that all officers, whether they carry .38 's or .357's, will have interchangeable ammunition.

This situation has given rise to the +P .38 Special loads, normally with lightweight bullets at higher velocities. I prefer to assemble my +P loads with either of three bullets: Lyman's 165 grain #358429, Lyman 's 155 grain #358156, or RCBS 's 150 grain #38- l 50KT. All are loaded over 6.0 grains of Unique for around l 000 fps in four-inch guns and 940 fps in the two-inch Chief's Special.

The .38 Special also sees much use in the silhouette game. Perhaps I should say has seen. Before the advent of the .357 SuperMag, the Dan Wesson .357 Magnum was used with .38 Special brass and 200 grain bullets at 1000-1100 fps. Three-Five-Seven brass was too long to use with 200 grain bullets but .38 Special brass did fine. Chalk up one more notch to the .38 Special's versatility.

It would be impossible to talk about the .38 Special without mentioning the "standard" target loading. Tons of Hercules Bullseye has been consumed, 2.7 grains at a time, under 148 grain HBWC bullets in the .38 Special. Speer's excellent 148 grain hollow base wadcutter will do from 750 to 800 fps with 2.7 to 3.0 grains of Bullseye and do it accurately again and again and again.

I started loading for the .38 Special before the days of carbide sizers , but today all loading is done with either Lyman or RCBS Carbide .357 Magnum dies except for the use of my old .38 Special crimping die to allow the separation of seating and crimping in the Hornady ProJector.

At its best, the .38 Special is certainly inferior to the .357 Magnum. But as an understudy for its bigger, younger brother, it does its part admirably. I would guess that more .38 Specials are consumed in .357 revolvers than any Magnum loads. Much more. I would guess my personal ratio is about l 0: I, .38 Specials to .357 Magnums.

I would not want the .38 Special as my sole armament. By the same token, I would hate to see it disappear from my loading bench. I mentioned how much my wife enjoys shooting standard .38 Specials in Magnum revolvers. If one is contemplating introducing someone to handgun shooting, this combination can only be bested by the use of .22's.

Often when we head for the mountains. our companions are a large box of .38 Special ammunition and various .357 Magnum sixguns. Of course, there is a big bore in the Bronco. ...... Just in case. "

45

PISl'OLSMll'HING hard slides with ordinary tooling. but the ex tracted cases had clca rccl through two former generations, so I cleciclecl to leave that alone. ............................... JOHN LAWSON

·.

OH NOi IJ''S J'HE GUN FROM HELLI DON'J' WORRY, WIFE WILL SELL 11'

I fitted a Sight Shop combat match barrel and Clark bushing to the slide and frame and assembled a new Wolff spring onto a new spring guide w ith a Wilson buffer. A recyc led recoi l spring plug still had sharp checkering, so it became part of the acti on.

D uring a routine search for an odd screw, I opened the hell box. a bo!lom drawer that has become th e repos itor y for

sub-standard and poorly fini shed aftermarkel parts.

There. li ghtl y ox idized from neg lect and as forlorn as a lost puppy clog, lay a new. but ill-fitting, Crown City frame that was mi ss ing most of its original fini sh. Next lo that was a batlerecl second generation NM hard slide that had been ground lo fit an obsolete set of match sights. A nd fin all y. partl y obsc ured by a badly scra tched pair of stee l plat es from an Advantage Grip System , was a box of smal I parts and accessories that hacl n ' t passed our final inspecti on.

In a deep daydream. I began rapid eye movement. '·I wonder:· I asked aloud, " if I could assemble a complete work ing pisto l from th ese parts? Or bett er still , maybe they 'd be the basis of a reliable, accurate .45 for action shooting. "

" Humpf! "' Green Eyes answered my rhetori ca l question from the shop doorway. " If you can turn that pile o f discard s into a first rate competition pistol, you can hang up a sign that says ' We Speciali ze In Lost Causes. " ·

That did it , I was crotch-deep in the Rubicon. "The die is cast." ' I mullerecl.

" Looks to me I ike it"s thi s sl icle and frame th at are cas t- rough cas t. '" she rep li ed. dropping th em back onto th e bench. " I ' ll look in on you in a couple of weeks to see how you' re doing."

It took three hours to fit the frame to the slide by filing, stoning and lapping. Fi nall y. the slide moved eas il y, but came into ballery position without shake or lift. The final touch was to fit a new ejector that al lowed ample clearance.

I set the s I iclc on a she! f and began work on the frame. I had to stone rough spots at the grip safety. tri gger mortise. magazine we ll and ma gaz in e ca tch positions.

The Wilson aluminum match tri gger required some polishing to all ow free movement w ithout shake. A large head magazine catch secured it in place while I fitted a new clisco nn ec to r and a McCormick sear.

Next. I found a new hammer pin that was a tight fit in the frame. My plan had been to fit a McCormick ·'Nastoff pattern .. hammer, but the hammer pin that fit the frame best was slightl y oversize and bound in the ham mer, since the hole is

46

made to incredibly tight tolerance. Too ti ght , it was apparent , for my

oversize hammer pin. It was on the order of a couple of ten thousandths large, but th e result was th e pin rot atin g in th e frame while remaining stationary in the hammer.

So. I cl ec iclecl to save the expensive McCormick hammer for a more pres tigious frame. I fitted an Eel Brown slollccl hammer to the oversize pin without any difficulty.

The next order of business was to slip a new sear spring into position. secured by a Smith & A lexander flat magazine

For sight s, I chose an MMC front plain ramp and a Mille!! Mk II low profi l c rear sight. A handful of Wilson bumper pads and a tube of Barge cement completed the half dozen magazines destined for use in the pistol.

A ll of the other pans filled were new Colt manufacture. I tes t fired the pistol using H&G 68 harclcasl ( foundry type) bullets ahead of a CC I primer and 5.7 gra ins of Winchester 23 1.

Al the loca l indoor ran ge. a group of regulars began hoots and catcalls as they spoiled the GM made up of unfini shed . purple and shopworn pans. The catcall s subs ided when it began lo punch the X

At the local indoor range, a group of regulars began hoots and catcalls as they spotted the GM made up of unfinished, purple

and shopworn parts. well and lay out the frame for fitting an Ed Brown grip safety.

The tri gger proved 10 have an unnervin g amount of slack. so I built it up to remove most of the flop and slop . The. hamm er and sca r combination was n ' t quite a drop-in success. but a few strokes w ith a hard Arkansas stone made it fit lo perfection.

A Wilson ambi sa fety and a Brown grip safety made a workmanlike combinati on . I slipped th e Advantage gr ip plates into position and ground the bottoms to a snug fit with the S&A mag well in position. Then I ground a set of Jong gri p screws to secure the thin walnut grip panels to the stee l plates.

A Wil son ex lenclecl slide stop from the hell box matched the thumb safety precisely. The frame was beginning lo look like something.

I did have l o short en the slide slop plunger to allow the slide slop free access to its proper position and stone the thumb safety until it went on and snapped off with silky smoothness.

Slipping the slide onto the frame, I found that I had to file out the slide slop assembl y notch to allow free in serti on. The clisconnector slot also had lo be bottomed lo get rid of an annoying cli sconncctor click.

I inserted a new firing pin and spring, fitted a Wilson Combat ex tractor and secured them with a new firing pin slop. It isn ' l possible to machine one of these

out o f a target. Feed and function was fl awless, so I wrapped it up and made my exi t stage ri ght.

The last opera ti on was l o c lean the pistol , strip it lo the last part and prepare it for blueing. Some polishing and buffing was necessary prior 10 the actual blucing operation.

I gave it a deep, dark rust blue, using Browne! 1 's new Dicropan IM system . I have always liked IM , but thi s new formula has 10 be the best ru st blue lo elate. The fini sh is a deep, dark , lustcrous real blue that looks a mile deep. Finished w ith Brownell 's Pro Sheen and a light coal of vasclinc, the pistol was ready to assemble and adm ire.

Green Eyes lcanccl through the doorway. " I see you have my pistol finished ,"' she said, sm iling sweetl y.

" Uh, well , I don ' t think you can work the slide on this .. ."'

" Nol lo worry,'· she sa id. " I plan lo sell it at the next gun show. Let 's see, it shou ld bring just about enough l o re-cover the davenport. '" She turned the pistol over in her hand and examined it closely.

I picked up a Luger from the bench and began lo wonder if I could make a competiti on pistol from a 1920. " Come on lo dinner before it gets co ld."" Green Eyes sa id.

" Ri ght."' I rep li ed , " Tomorrow ·s another clay. '· I snapped off the shop light and l ocked the door.


= Made = in the

U.S.A. The Dillon Square Deal "B" is totally Ameri

can. Designed by and built by Americans. Perhaps even more important is Dillon Precision's old fashioned American philosophy. "We make the best product we possibly can. We sell it ourselves at a price people can afford. We'll take back anything we sell , within 30 days, and if something breaks we'll fix it free as long as you own our product."

It is a philosophy that a lot of guys in three piece suits with some fancy degrees will tell you is out of date. "Offshore" is the new buzzword, "third world" assembly is the answer to greater corporate profit. They'll tell you that production in the U.S. is washed up, that our workers just don't care, that they are lazy and expensive.

Well , they are dead wrong! Dillon Precision Products has become the leader in the reloading industry. We've done it with quality, innovative products and with hardworking dedicated employees that aren't afraid to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty. People that take pride in what they make and who they make it for. People who believe that you the customer shouldn't get screwed, that you should get what you pay for. You should be treated with courtesy when you have a question. And finally if something does go wrong they'll do their damnedest to make it right! Yes, we're proud of our products and our people. We're proud to be free Americans in this great country of ours and in good faith we'll do our part to keep it that way.

A NEW DEAL The Square Deal "B" is one of Dillon Preci

sion's most popular Progressive Reloaders. But, advertising hype being what it is today, you might take our bragging to be just another bunch of bull . Fortunately all of the major gun magazines have tested the original Square Deal so you can take their word for it. What did they say?

EXPERT OPINIONS Rick Jamison, Shooting Times , "The Square

Deal is a well made, well fitted, smooth running piece of equipment."

Clay Harvey, Handloaders Digest , " If this press isn't the number one seller among progressive reloaders within a year, I'll turn in my crystal ball."

The American Rifleman says about our service, "The owner is encouranged to call the factory's toll free number if there are any problems. This is not a hollow promise, for this writer called anonymously and was given courteous, correct advice to a fictitious problem."

Money can't buy that kind of advertising.

Let me tell you what the New Square Deal "B" does best.

DUPLICATING FACTORY AMMUNITION

It's no trick with an "SDB". This is how it works. The Dillon "SDB" arrives from the factory ready to reload. Our drop-in insert dies have already been adjusted.

The new "SDB" has a powder measure fail safe device that eliminates the possibility of a sticking powder bar by a simple mechanical connection. The result? Absolute reliability with no loss of accuracy.

The "SDB" also features a Primer Early Warning System that tells you when you're down to three primers by emitting a loud piercing buzz (operates on one AM battery, included). The Early Warning System guarantees you'll never run out of primers or produce a round of ammo without one.

The Dillon "SDB" is the most reliable progressive pistol reloader in the world: It's fast, it's accurate, and it's easy to use. It has the best warranty. It has a no strings attached 30 day return policy. It's what you 're looking for. It's a square deal.

FACTORY DIRECT Factory Direct at $172.50 complete

with carbide dies in one caliber. The "SDB" is available in 45 ACP, 9 mm, 44 Spc., 44 magnum, 38 cal , 357 magnum, 45 Long Colt, 41 magnum, .380 and 38 super.

ORDER NOW Call us TOLL FREE. A member of our staff will be glad to take your order. Please have your Visa or Master Card ready when you call. If you prefer we will ship C.O.D. cash with no extra C.O.D. charge. All presses are shipped freight paid within the continental U.S. (except APO's) All other orders are subject to shipping/handling fee. Call Toll Free 1-800-421-7632. In Arizona 602-948-8009.

Free Catalog and Newsletter Membership. Please Write.

• • ~ . l) rec1s1on f '

Products, Inc.

7442 E. Butherus Drive Scottsdale, AZ 85260


By Tony Lesce

M any handloaders have never loaded tracers. The handloader who rolls

his own tracers can use them for night firing practice and for show. The sight of a tracer bullet speeding towards a target is dramatic.

TRACER VELOCITY AND ACCURACY

Tracer bullets contain an illuminating compound in a hollow base. The compound usually comprises magnesium powder and an oxidant. This is a very stable compound, and is not explosive.

AMMUNITION VELOCITY 380ACP 848 fps

9mm Para. 954 fps 38 Special 796 fps

357 Magnum 1128 fps 45ACP 777 fps

Working up loads for STI tracer bullets involved extrapolating from manufacturers' data, and consulting reputable reloading manuals, such as those published by Speer and Sierra. In all cases, loads were in the middle of the range. A close inspection of fired cases showed that pres-

SPREAD 25 YDS. GROUP 38 fps 83/s" 25 fps 2Y2" 38 fps 4YJ' 71 fps 3y4" 26 fps 41/i"

on the Dillon Model 550 progressive press.

Test-firing was from a Ransom Rest, with the test paper at 25 yards to check accuracy . The test weapons were of known accuracy. For caliber 380 ACP, the test weapon was a SIG P-230, which gave

Ignition occurs when the cartridge fires, the heat of the propellant being enough to light the compound pellet. The shooter sees a bright red streak flashing towards his target. The tracer flash is not visible from the front. Tracer duration is usually the effective range of the bullet.

The military are the main users of tracer ammunition because it helps aiming full-auto weapons. Most aircraft machine-gun belts have a proportion of tracer for this, and for igniting flammables in enemy aircraft.

TRACER HANDLOADS

Until now, those who wanted tracer ammunition for experimentation or for pyrotechnic effects had to use military surplus. Anyone who wanted to work up his own loads, or use tracer bullets in cartridges not loaded for the military, had to pull the bullets from surplus cartridges, and was limited to calibers using bullets of similar diameter. Also, much military tracer is corrosive, and some are formulated to bum hot for incendiary effect.

Strommen-Trickel Industries produces non-corrosive tracer bullets, and supplies them in loaded cartridges or as components for reloaders. These are available in both rifle and handgun calibers. Handgun calibers are: .380 ACP, 9mm, .38/.357, 44Spl/Mag, and 45 ACP. STI tracers bum cooler than military tracers, which reduces the chances of starting an accidental fire. However, they're also not as bright as military tracers.

STI tracers are approved by both the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the U.S. Department of Transportation. They are legal to ship by interstate carrier, such as United Parcel Service.

CALIBER 380 ACP

9mm Para . 38 Special

357 Magnum 45ACP

BULLET WEIGHT 101 grains 131 grains 150 grains 150 grains 195 grains

sures were moderate. There were no difficult extractions, bulged cases, or flattened primers in any of the loads.

L oading tracer bullets is simple and Winchester cases were used for all straightforward. The ballistic effect loads, with Winchester standard pistol

at the end of the bullet's flight isn't impor- primers for calibers taking small pistol tant, consequently the powder charge primers. Federal standard pistol primers need only be enough to get it on its way. were used for the .45 ACP, which takes With auto pistols, recoil impulse must be large primers. Winchester #231 ball powenough to operate the slide. With re- der was the choice for all loads, both bevolver cartridges, power can be over a cause it meters exceptionally well in a wider range. However, squib loads don't powder measure, and because it's wellproduce the best accuracy. suited for moderate loads. Reloading was


POWDER CHARGE 3.0 gr. W-231 4.2 gr. W-231 4.3 gr. W-231 7.0 gr. W-231 5.5 gr. W-231

O.A. LENGTH .985"

1.105" 1.46" 1.56" 1.25"

3" groups with Winchester Silvertips. 38 Special and 357 Magnum loads were fired from a Ruger GP-100, which delivers 1" groups with Impact 148-grain target ammunition. A SIG P-226 served as the test bed for 9mm Parabellum loads. This pistol delivers 1" groups at 25 yards with CCI Blazer 115-grain JHP cartridges. A SIG P-220-SB was the test weapon for 45 ACP. This handgun has fired 1114" groups at 25 yards with CCI Blazer 200-grain JHP bullets.

The bullet path was over the screens of

49

a PACT Precision Chronograph, which yielded velocity and spread, the difference between the highest and lowest velocities.

Not surprisingly, accuracy was Jess than that of the best ammunition previously fired from those weapons. Tracer bullets change their weights and centers of gravity during flight as the tracer compound burns off.

Paradoxically, the 380 ACP tracers were very visible in daylight, and the 9mm far less so, because of their higher velocities and smaller cavities. 38 Special and 357 Magnum bullets were also visible in bright sunlight, but the 357's higher velocities made them appear dimmer. The fat 45 ACP tracers were very visible, because

I

'·

l

l'' \ I ~ I

50

they had the largest burning area and the Another common wording is "incendislow speed made for a longer duration. ary device," but this is usually laid out as

H andloaders must beware of violating state and local laws. This isn't a

problem for most Americans. More states have laws concerning "metal-piercing" and "armor-piercing" bullets than those with laws mentioning or including tracers. More states ban stun guns than tracers.

Many such laws prohibit "destructive devices," meaning bombs, rockets and gasoline bombs. Many laws prohibit "rockets," describing them as containing a propelling charge of more than four ounces, and ban "missiles" with an incendiary or explosive charge of more than a quarter ounce.

,1'

a device made expressly for starting fires, and the law expressly excludes ". . . commercially manufactured for the purpose of illumination," as does Washington State law (9.40.110.2).

Some include tracer ammunition in the definition; others specifically exclude it. North Carolina's law also deals with radioactive materials and parts making up any weapon of "mass destruction." We also see some laws that prohibit tracers except for a certain type.

California, for example, prohibits tracer ammunition with one exception. The Dangerous Weapons Control Law of the California Penal Code, Chapter 1, Article 2, Section 12020, subsection b, Paragraph 5 exempts "Tracer ammunition manufactured for use in shotguns."

Paragraph 1-a of Section 45-8-322 of Montana State Law defines a "destructive device" as "A projectile containing an explosive or incendiary material or any other similar chemical substance, including but not limited to that which is commonly known as tracer or incendiary ammunition, except tracer ammunition manufactured for use in shotguns."

Neither the laws of New York State nor those of New York City specifically mention tracer ammunition. However, anyone handloading in New York City ought to heed the words introducing the section on New York City's laws in the 18th Edition of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms' State Laws and Published Ordinances-Firearms: "A digest of New York City's firearms laws fails to reflect the nuances and intricacies of one of the toughest firearms laws in the United States." Experience in New York City suggests that the basic principle is: anything not specifically permitted is forbidden.

Several states appear to exempt tracers under a catch-all category, such as the "permissible fireworks" specified in section 34-37-5 of South Dakota's codified laws. Tennessee bans explosive bullets in a way that suggests that tracers are not included in the ban: " ... bullet with a hollow nose cavity which is filled with an explosive material which is designed to detonate upon impact." (Section 39-6-1719-a)

Neal Trickel, President of StrommenTrickel, states that in his experience, the only states which ban tracers are California and New York. As we've seen, though, the wording of related laws in other states is ambiguous, and any handJoader would do well to check with local authorities first.

, I Hand-loading tracer bullets is an eco-, i nomical way to enjoy spectacular shoot-;.;i l ing. Because there are no special tricks or

· kinks involved, the shooter will enjoy it. rlt~ .

: I ,f V'f .... .( I )'•: '

1"9nt Street~. · . . • national l _ .•

For more information contact StrommenTrickel Industries, Inc., 1911 lOth. Street, Dept. AH, Monroe, WI 53566 ...... Phone: (608) 325-2571 ~


By Cameron Hopkins

Photos by Nyle Leatham

The patrol ca r slides s il entl y to a s top in front of th e da rk e ned warehouse. It 's a quiet night, routine pa trolling , and th e officer

casually steps out of the police cru iser for a breath of fre h air. He reaches inside the passenger widow and retri eves hi Thermos of hot coffee to pour himself a steaming mug of java. Not quite as good as the donut shop serves, but it ' ll do.

The officer lea ns back against hi s patrol car and blows gently across the hot coffee to cool it. He's about to take a sip when suddenl y a flashing red li ght on the wall of the warehouse ·flickers on.

Silent alarm! Burglary in progress! The officer tosses the coffee mug aside

as he rips free hi s service pi stol from his Safari land SS UJ security hol ster. He bolts for the door of the warehouse, gun now in hand , poised for immediate action.

lnside the warehouse a gang of thieves hears the door slam open and they know what to do. Al l hardened ex-cons, they won 't be taken a live. A firefight erupts, th e officer darting be tween c rat es and boxes as he dodges bullets, firing back as he ducks for cover.

One crook pops out from behind a stack of boxes- bap-bap, th e officer 's doub le- tap impacts the burg lar's sternum , sprawling him onto hi s back as the two .45 s lu gs register killing shots in the A-zone.

Down a dimly lit hallway the officer sprints, re loading as he runs. There, inside the foreman 's office, three more of th e scumbags wrestle to bring their weapons to bea r. Bap-bap-bap-bap-bap-bap. The six shots ring as one, so fast is the target engagement. All three lie d ispatched, two A-zone hits in each man 's chest.

Suddenly it's over. The "policeman"lower his gun as the Range Officer behind him orders, "Unload and show clear."

" Hey, ni ce run !" chimes in another Ra nge Offi ce r, " That ' s the best tim e

we've had all day. " The "officer" is actually a competitor

at the IPSC National Championships and the "warehouse" is actuall y an elaborate simulation of an armed burglary in progress. The " felon " who popped out from behind a stack of boxes was actually a Brussels IPSC target attached to an electric -p owered mechanism that flings the target into view for a second, then whisks it away again behind the stack of boxes.

The boxes were real , the crates were real. It was a very li fe- li ke simulation of a real warehouse and a rea l burglary, right down to the patrol car out front, the coffee mug , the flashing l ight of the silent alarm.

Welcome to practical shooting 's greatest show o n earth , the Un ited States National Championsh ip. For an entire week you will shoot your sport-modified fighting pistol in realistic scenarios that depict situations in which a defensive pi stol might reasonably be employed.

You ' II be a police officer responding to a warehouse burglary and you ' II be a DEA agent clearing a crack house and you ' 11 be a stranded motorist fighting off a bold attack of dru g-starved junkies ambushing you right there on the side of the road as you change a flat tire.

You ' ll be call ed upon to shoot accura tely, taking a head-shot to kill the humanoid target that represents an attacker wearing a bulletproof vest. You ' II be required to shoot very quickly at very close range, shots simulating the average

52

A modified El Presidente drill was shot at seven yards, six shots-reload-six shots. Jerry Barnhart blazed it in under five seconds!

Here's a slick little stage that simulated a gunfight in a restaurant. Vance Schmid shoots over his dinner companion, who seems remarkably relaxed for the occasion. Props like the "companion" are what give life to practical shooting's realistic courses of fire, courses that simulate self-defense shooting.


distance in a g unfi ght, based on FBI crime statistics, of a scant seven yards.

Yes , all your defensive handgunning skills will be tested in the IPSC United States ational Championship.

What Is IPSC? This is what IPSC (International Prac

tical Shooting Confederation) is all about. Call it combat shooting, call it practical shooting, even call it action shooting, it's all the same thing. It's shooting a major caliber weapon at humanoid targets with scoring rings that correspond to kill and disable zones of homo sapiens anatomy.

You get the maximum five points for a killing shot to the upper thoracic cavity, the heart/lung complex. This is call ed the A-zone. You drop down to scoring only four points for a disabling hit to the edges of the target's torso, to the areas that represent the liver, stomach and sides of the lungs. This is called the Czone. Gut-shoot the target or wing it in an arm and you only get two points , called the D-zone.

That leaves the head. Putting a bullet between the eyeball s gets you a killing shot worth the maximum five points in a sma ll box called the upper-A-zone inside the head box. Anything outside that central A-zone box around the eye sockets- the chin, cheeks, ears and upper forehead- is worth four points in this, the B-zone.

Oh dear me, that's sounds positively gruesome. Shooting "people" in the heart for five points and in the kidney for four

points. Well , I suppose if you take the spirit of IPSC quite li tera ll y, it might be gruesome. But it 's no more bloodthirsty than a number of other sports than simulate mortal human combat.

Take the Olympics for example. Fencing comes to mind as a " sport" that is based on trying to sp ill another man 's intestines on the floor.

How about the javelin event? And the discus? You don't think those ancient Greeks took up chucking spears just because it seemed like a nice thing to do, do you? I believe that spears were mainly used for impaling the enemy.

How about wrestling? Boxing? Even polo has its roots in combat horsemanship.

What about a quiet and sedate game of chess? Now that's a violent game, if you understand its heritage.

No , there is abso lute ly nothing remarkable about making a sport, a competitive athletic event, out of a form of combat. In fact, a sport based on blood is much more exhilarating and invigorating,

much more relevant and meaningful , than something like badminton. That's a game and nothing more than a game.

Practical shooting is certainly a game, but it 's much more than a game if you wish to let it be.

IPSC Keeps Growing Who shoots IPSC? Policemen and

shopkeepers, lawyers and construction workers , businessmen and Treasury Agents, busdrivers and doctors, people from all walks of li fe from across the broad demographic spectrum, both men and women. It is popular.

How popular? There were 435 registered competitors at the IPSC Nationals, out which only six were no-shows. That left 429 active in the match. Eight were disqualified for one reason or another leaving 421 to finish all 10 stages of the tournament.

Compare that competitor-cou nt to other big handgun matches, some of wh ich offer substantia ll y more prize

Top-ranked shooter Rick Caste/ow cuts loose with his .38 Super in a stage that simulates a roadside ambush while he's hauling a spare tire from the trunk. The 2x4 is an artificial restriction forcing the shooter to "take cover."


money. The Masters musters barely 300 ·hooters. The Bianch i Cup is doing well to break 200. The Steel Challenge draws into the low 3oo·s.

Moreover, th e sin gle bi gges t com-la'in t about the IPSC Nat ionals is that

t here i sn ' t ro om fo r more shoo ter s! There were hundreds, yes hundreds. o f : hooters from all across the country who tried in vain to w in a coveted '·s lot ," or inv itat ion, to compete in the match. I t 's " by inv itati on only."

There's no question that combat shooting is the most popu lar form of organi zed handgun competiti on in America. Take a look at all the ads in American /-l a11dg11n11er and noti ce how many pistolsmiths spec iali ze in " IPSC conversion s'· and how many companies sell " combat acccs-or ics .. , Beli eve me, th e marketplace

doesn't lie, it goes where the demand is, i t goes where the money is.

lPSC is also !he fas test grow ing handgun sport. The reason is that it touches the common thread that binds all handgunncrs together. no matter what their personal preferences of guns migbt be.

Everyone who owns a handgun keeps it available for sel f-defense. That 's the com-

54

Dee&y James won her third Ladies National Championship which she can add to her string of victories that include the IPSC Ladies World Championship. She shoots a Colt-pistol in .38 Super that has &een exfensively customized by Bill Wilson.

Shoot 'n scoot! Jerry Barnhart skids into a shooting box inside a "warehouse" ready to blaze away! He must shoot from the box or be penalized.

mon denominator th at unites th e av id revolver-man and the auto aficionado, the XP-100 fancier and the .22 plinker. lf you own a gun, you have it access ible, to one degree or another, to keep the home a castle.

You mi ght not ca rry concea led on a dail y basis and you might not sleep w ith a snubn ose un der yo ur pillo w, but yo u know where your gun is and you /.:n ow what to do if troub le comes a-knock ing.

This is the common thread that draws th e guy with hi s Model 19 and Uncle M ike ' s ny lon hol ster out to th e loca l IPSC matches. He's not a competitor and never wants to be a competitor, but he damn sure knows that combat shooting is both fun and educati ona l.

What better way to develop sk ill s w ith a defensi ve hand gun than in a m atch where all these nice peop le have gone to the trouble to set up all these props and barricades and nightstands complete w ith all sorts of dropping, floppin g, turning reactionary targets?

Look around at a local IPSC match at any gun club. You·11 see a few of these highl y customized Wil son Accu-Comps, but yo u · 11 sec a w ho le bu nch more G locks and Smi ths and Rugers. For every Ernie Hi II Fas-Trac $94.95 speed holster, you' ll see IO plain-jane Bianchi 's .

It is the average j oe, the casual handgunner, who is the backbone of practica l shooting. T he serious competitor might not care a hoot about all this '·practica l" nonsense of humanoid targets and A-zone k illing shots and se l f-defense scenari os, but the rank and fil e who make up the vas t majorit y of combat shooter damn sure ca re. If it wasn ' t fo r the ab ility to hone sc i f-def'ense skills and learn better defensive shooting techniques, these guys


Guns And Gear Of The Top 16 Score Shooter Age Pistol

100 Rob Leatham 28 Springfield

99.85 Jerry Barnhart 29 Springfield

96.20 Angelo Spagnoli 29 Springfield

94.84 Doug Koenig 20 Springfield

93.13 Mark Mazzotta 38 Colt

92. l l Mike Plaxco 36 Springfield

92.01 Greg Meller 34 Caspian

90.50 Frank Garcia 26 Springfield

89.77 Billy Abbate 23 Springfield

89.58 Ron Avery 33 Springfield

89.30 Brian Enos 33 Springfield

88.84 Todd Jarrell 25 Springfield

88.41 Michael Voigt 30 Springfield

88.22 John Dixon 43 Caspian

88.13 Scott Carnahan 31 Springfield

87.95 Dave Kleber 22 Caspian

would be out plinking or home watching the ball game.

Serious competi tors lose sight of this Big Picture, and that 's quite understandable. After all , if you' re a competiti ve person, you ' re not terribl y co ncerned about why yo ur spor t ex i st s- an O lympi c fencer is intent on scorin g a mark , not on the pract ica l elements of saber fi ghting- you ' re concerned instead about how to shave an ex tra tenth off your draw or squeeze an ex tra f ive points out of thi s assault course.

Yet what happens· w hen somethin g

Pistol smith Bullet Holster

Bill Wilson CP 135 gr. Safari land

Bill Wilson WW 130 gr. Safari land

Alan Chun WW 130gr. Ernie Hill

SA Custom Shop CP 135 gr. Safari land

Bill Wilson CP 135 gr. Safariland

J.M. Plaxco CP 150 gr. Safari land

Dwight Behn WW 130gr. Safari land

Ed Brown CP 150 gr. Ernie Hill

CP 135 gr. Ernie Hill

Bill Wilson WW 130gr. Safari land

Bill Wilson WW 130gr. Safari land

Blake Gann CP 135 gr. Ernie Hill

Voigt Custom Kenz 130 gr. Ernie Hill

Dixon Enterprises CP 150 gr. Safari land

Buzz Guns CP 150 gr. Safari land

Steve Nastoff 185 gr. Ernie Hill

goes thump in the night? Don' t you just know that all those competiti ve peopl e w ho don ' t ca re about ·' rea li sm" and " prac ti ca l "' fee l a lo t more co n f id ent about their ability to defend themselves and their families than ks to the sport of practical shooting?

T hat 's th e wo nderful thin g abo ut IPSC- yo u get co nfidence and skill whether yo u want to or not. You will learn self-defense skill s, simply because you will learn how to react instantaneously to a w ide vari ety o f situati ons. You will learn to think on your feet. You will

Handicapped shooters like Marc Halcon enioy the challenge of IPSC shooting.


One and two: Rob (left) beat Jerry by less than two-tenths of one percent!

learn to shoot from many diffi cult and awkward pos itions. You will learn sight alignment and tr igger control. You will acquire skill -at-arm s. You might not care. you might only want that trophy or that medal, but you will learn defensive handgunning sk il ls.

A Non-IPSC Match Hav ing sa id all those nice things about

IPSC, it 's disappointing to note that the U nited States has not held an fPSC Na ti onal C hampi onship in some f i ve years. Technica ll y, the US has vio lated the charter of the In ternational Practi ca l Shooting Confederati on which mandates that reg ions hold a ·'sancti oned national championship" to determine a ' nati onal champion."

To gain I PS C's sancti on is very simpl e. A ll you have to do is foll ow IPSC rul es and have the course of fire approved by lPSC headquarters in Belgium. Sanction of a match is very routine, not a complex red-tape affair.

However. the US Reg ion is saddl ed w ith a reg ional director who has refused to submit the course of fire for sanction. In fac t , th e so -ca ll ed IPSC Na ti onal Championship did not fo llow IPSC ru les. was not approved by IPSC and nagrantly violated specific IPSC requirements for scoring.

Be that as it may, the non-IPSC match will serve to determine the IPSC nati onal champion and the fi ve top shooters who will make up the team that will represent th e Unit ed States at thi s yea r' s IPSC Worl d Championship in A ustrali a.

Curiously. thi s IPSC team selected at a non-JPSC match is open to disqualificati on at the World Champi onship. Dave A rn old of IPSC 's Intern ati onal Ran ge Offi cers Institut e sa id th at i f a pro tes t were to be fil ed by any of the 35 JPSC Reg ions in the worl d, the United States

Co11t in11ed on page 86

55

Editor's Note: Shortly afti.r MassO<l Ay(J()b ingenious solution to a non~existent prob- A;JUDd in Ute <;ham~. ~~ ~~ iodted. wrote his story on dtt .new Colt f)ouble !em. Alas, the rest of the world does not : The pi,&tolel'W wiU tell yoiJ that 8o l4?11t ~ Eagle, the factory :r:ecalfed theftrst run march in pace to the pistoleros. you leaye·the safety on al,ld ~ yOOJ;", fJAl- .: after only tlttee .~;.$"for. wfw."t 1hey ·,. F:tom the Pentagon to the Chiefs of · gei: o~ thp trt~ger ~;theie Will euphemistically' <J_.alled a "product Pol'ice liability , ~orkshops. 'i.t is empha- neve(_be an uwn.~~ ~~ . ~,~ improvemenJ mQ(Ji/ica#l»f." ~In plain /a(l.c ,, · · ' .. Tfui.t'nr\le 1$ far as .1t ~/1'\lntoes. guage, thafsarectTJltfabrokengun. . OOi tak~· inf4 ae~ofuittwo·~-~-

Even before. the rectitJ; Ayoob noted !he By Mass ad Ayoob First, if you ~:"fri.ghte~ -~.fu>µp of~ potentially dangerous flaws in his story. Photos by Ichiro Nagata terthln humaq'·l;iCiiJg' \() .point· ~ loaded Without further ado; over ti> Massad: gun at.. himo- a fel®y ~fi 11ggf,'v~4 ·

I first handled the prototype Colt double-action autO, the SSP, back in the '70s. l was not Un.pressed. It had a feed ramp like Ii sidewalk,

abutment and a trigger stroke that dicln 't begin to compare with the double-action pull of tbe Seecamp conversion then )iiopular on the convelltional Colt Govern-ment Model. .

More than a decade later, I've been shooting the Double Eagle, Colt's long awaited production DA auto. It still doesn't feel like a Seecamp, but few noncustom guns do. It does, however, have a lot to recommend it.

Why Double-Action? It is in vogue among pistoleros to call

the double-action first shot auto pistol an

Recalled by the factory for a serious design defect, the Double Eagle is dubiously

double-action.

sized that the defensive handgun may serve its purpo~ best if it comes with a double-action first shot. The soldiers like the idea of a fa s t first shot, and th e domestic authorities realize that their personnel will be holding many citi~ns nervo11(Uy at gunpoint for every bad gay they ever have to actually shoot.

The conventional Government Model is properly carried fully loaded, with a

assault if.it ~ o.ut f<i-.tn -~ your. lUTVival instinct :W~ts · you_;to ·t>e pointing il gun d)at wijt fij:e. : .- · . . ..

SecOnd, g\ltlS me 'designed . to. be . fimd and therefore de~ to ~held with the fmger Oil the triggeri )'.'Qu;began habituating your.self so that the first ti"me you played cow&ys and·ltidians with cap pis'tols as a child. Under '$tress, then, your thumb will wipe off the safety and your finger will migrate to the trigger.

John Browning did not 'fiesign th e 1911 pattern gwi to hold e~y soldiers at gunpoint with. He .desigJ\e<f .itto be used to kill en,emy.' soldier1; wi,Ui maximum speed and infnimwn ~on~ a,qd it prob11bly does . that -~ than any mlfi~ gun be,tVre or since.

'" If Brpwning had thought doughboys would be using the 1911 to level down on the enemy and shout, "I say., you Hun

devils, drop those Mausers or I'll shoot," he would have built it with a doubleaction first shot to prevent unintentional stress-induced discharges.

Thus, the rationale of the doubleaction .45 auto. Certainly, there are the Smith & Wesson 4506 and the SIGSauer P-220, the Astra A-80 and the updated Llama Omni. Why a Colt in this configuration?

Because Colt is tired of giving up the enormous law enforcement market uncontested.

No Safety Catches What will be good news more than

bad news for many is the absence of a manual safety catch and of the classic Colt grip safety. Even John Browning didn't think the gun needed the latter, and its absence worries me not a whit.

The current police academy doctrine tends to be that you don't want a gun with a safety catch anyway because you'll be too awkward or too stupid to remember

58

to release it if you have to fire suddenly in defense of your life.

Eighty-eight years of combat shooting history and a slew of world speed shooting records set with cocked and locked Colts prove that theory to be arrant BS.

Anyone too stupid to train himself to rel.ease the safety before firing is too stupid to be carrying a gun in the first place.

While I have yet to see a case of someone being shot because they forgot to wipe the safety catch off when they lawfully drew their pistol, we have cases from Tacoma to Tallahassee in which bad guys got a cocked and locked Colt .45 auto away from the good guy, tried to kill him with it, and couldn't because they couldn't figure out how to make it shoot before the good guys rectified the situation.

My studies of the autoloader ·on the street, which were compiled in the textbook The Semiautomatic Pistol in Police Service and Self Defense ($11.95 postpaid from Police Bookshelf, P.O. Box

122, Concord, NH 03301) showed graphically that this "proprietary nature to the user factor" of the safety-locked auto saved more cops lives than the "fabled firepower factor" ever did.

I know Colt has to stay in the mainstream of current police doctrine to sell guns. But as someone who carried a cocked and locked Colt .45 auto for some 28 years and always took comfort in that safety catch, I just hate to see it disappear from the Double Eagle.

Surprisingly Accurate The Double Eagle is accurate. On the

50-foot indoor range, using appropriate bullseye targets in timed fire strings of 20 seconds per five shots, I was able to consistently score 96%. The typical string would be five tens and one eight, entirely my fault, when firing single action.

Our test gun did its best with the wonderfu 11 y accurate Shaw Load from Atlanta Arms and Ammo. This is a remanufactured round using a 200 grain lead semiwadcutter at mild velocity, a Bianchi Cup as opposed to IPSC major load if you will, and it consistently put three-shot groups into an inch at 50 feet.

Moving to the outdoor range, we found that the best groups came, surprisingly enough, with inexpensive CCI Blazer. The hard-to-feed 200 grain jacketed hollowpoints not only worked perfectly, but left their disposable aluminum casings to cluster in a group of I 1/)' by 71<'' at 25 yards when bench rested in the capable hands of pistolsmith Nolan Santy.

That isn't just practical accuracy,


The Double Eagle's double-action arrangement (lower gun) is similar to Louis Seecamp's DA conversion of a Gov't Model. A much more secure system, the popular Seecamp conversion's parts were not retained by the grip panel like the Eagle. folks, it's match accuracy. More accurate Combat Handgun State Championships. single action Government in stainless, than the gun Blackie Sleeva used to win I wound up two points behind Border this pistol has big, easy-to-see fixed the World BuckMasters championship Patrol ace Ed Duda, which is a helluva sights. They are fitted with three white this year. Accurate enough to win the lot closer than I usually come to him, for dots as is currently popular, and for those National Pistol Championships at Camp second overall and a resident state cham- who like that sort of thing, the dots show Perry. More accurate, in short, than you pion title. up well. expect with a service pistol. The gun I used was a street-cus- If you're a 1911 shooter who has been

Some would have you believe that tomized single action Colt .45 auto that I having second thoughts about cocked and accuracy is irreleYant in a defensive pis- carried on duty for years and shot from locked, the Colt Double Eagle offers you to!. Don't buy it. Bad guys know how to Los Angeles (IPSC Nationals, 1978) to a system you are already intimately take cover too, and if the next James Bianchi Cup to Second Chance to Bisley. familiar with. It will take the same maga-01 i ver Huberty is crouched behind Its National Match barrel grouped Feder- zines. It will not take the same leather, something 25 yards away, about to cut al Match 230 grain hardball into 2.5" at but that's another story. loose on the citizens, and presenting 50 yards the last time the gun was in a Colt's stainless construction is impec-only an area of his head about the size of Ransom Rest. cable. I carried the stainless Series 80 sin-an orange, I for one would find it com- I honestly think the out of the box gle-action for years and found it extreme-forting to be armed with a pistol that Double Eagle is every bit as accurate, and ly corrosion resistant. could hit an orange with every shot at if I'd had a chance to play with it before Galling, the bugaboo of the stainless that distance. The Colt Double Eagle I the match, I might well have used it and auto, was solved at the Colt factory by tested is such a pistol. honestly believe I'd have shot the same heat treating the frame and the slide dif-

ln an out-of-the-box double-action .45 with it. That is how much the new Colt's ferently, thus altering the molecular struc-auto, only the preternaturally accurate accuracy impresses me. ture of the two main components enough SIG-Sauer P-220 equals or exceeds it. More to the point, this design makes that like no longer met like, and there-

Two days after the D.E. arrived, I the Colt Double Eagle not only eminently fore, no longer galled. The same con-shot the 1989 New Hampshire Police safe, but eminently shootable. Like the Continued on page 79


A dmittedly, when I first saw the Hammerli 280 pistol prototype at the 1988 IWA Show in Germany, I had some negative impressions about the pistol.

Major parts of the gun are made of high-tech synthetic materials, carbon fiber composites that have many superior properties over traditional

' steel. Still, it looks and feels like plastic with its surprising light weight. It seems the new Hammerli 280 is now the world's second "plastic pistol," after Glock.

This was a radical departure from Hammerli 's successful .22 LR Model 208 pistols. It appeared larger and more cumbersome. The new material used for construction looked like plastic and the matte black finish, although non-reflective, certainly didn 't have the beauty of polished blue steel.

Had Hammerli gone too far into the future with this pistol?

About a week later, at the RWS test range in Furth, West Germany, I met some Hammerli engineers who were there, complete with pistols, spare parts and even their own homemade bench-rest, to do some serious testing with various lots of RWS ammunition.

After an informative conversation with the engineers followed by some test firing of my own,

my negative feelings about the 280 began to disappear.

It was now evident to me that Hammerli had put a great deal of time and money in developing this pi stol and were dett<rmined to make it one of the best target pistols in the world.

A successful company usually doesn' t rest on its present successes, and eventually must look to the future with new ideas and technologies. Hammerli now felt that the time was ripe for a new target pistol.

Th e idea for a convertible pi sto l design was foremost in thei r thinking. Some type of new material was necessary because the use of steel would simply make th e newl y designed pi sto l too heavy. After a seven year development period, a totally new pistol emerged.

During this seven year period, the new pistols were subjected to a variety of tests to prove reliabiLity, durability, accuracy and even ammunition compatibility.

Torture Test Hammerli conducted a seven week

torture test using two .22 and two .32 pi stols from the first run of production prototypes. Each pistol was fired 1,500 times daily followed by stripping and cleaning

each evening. After a check of a ll important parts,

the pistols were reassembled and readied for the next day's firing. During these tests, Hammerli used 12 different types of .22 ammo and five different types of .32 wadcutters. All shots were recorded, and after each 10,000 rounds, tes t groups were fired and measured for accuracy.

Special test equipment was developed by Hammerli to accurately measure the test results. A special electronic test ri g provided a graphic display of trigger pull weight and let-off characteristics .

Recoil , main and magaz ine springs were periodically checked on the latest sprin g meas urin g sca les. Barrel and chamber dimensions were also verifi ed using an electronic digital barrel measuring instrument.

Finally, at the end of the 50,000 round tests, the major weapon parts were again measured and compared with their original blueprint dimensions.

62

The test results were superb! Malfunctions were rare and were contributed mainly to fa ulty ammunition. The malfunction rate was only .08% over 200,000 rounds fired.

As fo r durability, after the 200,000 rounds had been fired , only fo ur extractors and five hammer pivot pins made up the grand total of parts replaced.

Apart from some li ght usage markings on the slide, barrel throat, trigger sear and ejector port, none of the four test pistols showed any appreciable wear.

The acc uracy results were also outstanding. Five strings of fiv e shots each were fired with all four pistols at a range of 25 meters. Then the multiple grouping of 25 shots was measured.

After 50,000 shots, the average groupin g for a ll types of .22 LR was 24.3mm(.956). The average grouping for all five types of .32 was 26.6mm( 1.047).

For Hammerli , these results proved

that the amazing pistol of the future was indeed a winning des ign and that normal production was indeed warranted.

Testing The 280 My test pistol and conversion uni t was

grac iou s ly furni shed by th e importer Mandall Shooting Supplies of Scottsdale, Arizona. It arrived in the optional aluminum carry ing case which has foam inserts for one pi stol, a separate compartme nt for a conve rs io n unit and ex tra spaces for ammo, four magaz ines and cleaning kit.

Each pi sto l comes with two magazines , three carbon fiber we ights, three steel weights, a loading aid, two cleaning rods, a parts pouch with all the necessary wrenches, and finally a test target.

Optional accessories that can be purchased separately are a complete conversion unit in separate ca libe r, the a luminum case, left handed grips, small size

The rear sight (far left) is wide and the notch comes in different widths. You iust replace the blade with the size notch you prefer. The underside of the slide (left) reveals the locking recesses where it attaches to the frame. The carbon fiber trigger is (bottom) completely adiustable.

The reciprocating portion (far left) of the slide contains the recoil spring. There are two of these, one in .32 and one in .22. The safety (left) is tucked inside the right grip panel and is included only to meet US import requirements. European 280's have no safety. The 280 comes complete with all the accessories shown, plus the two slides. The fitted hardcase is also included in this complete package that retails lor about $3,200.

63


grips, (both left and right) various front and rear sight combinations and lastly a brass catcher pouch for .32 WC.

On first examination of the Model 280, one has to marvel at the light weight of the pistol. This was accomplished by using a carbon fiber re inforced synthetic material for such parts as the frame, slide, magaz ines and other small components.

Bes ides be ing eas ier to work with than stee l, ca rbon fiber has a much hi ghe r strength-to-we ight ratio th an stee l or a ll oy and consequently produces a very strong but li ght weight pi stol.

grams each and can i.ndeed make the pi stol muzzle heavy if you use all three.

Yes, the center of gravity of the pi stol will be affected by which weights and how many you use. Each shooter wi II have to ex pe riment a little to find the right combination.

The grips are made of select walnut, fea ture an adjustabl e palm rest, and are ni cely stipp led on a ll inside surfaces. A single bolt through the bottom secures the one-piece grip to the frame.

A ni ce feat ure of the grip is a small hol e at the back of th e grip that allows

Angelo Spagnoli puts the Hammerli 280 through its paces. The World Speed Shooting champion is also an accomplished bullseye shooter. He liked the 280.

The .22 complete pi stol weighs in at 990 grams and the .32 weighs in at 1110 grams. That's roughl y 2. l and 2.3 lbs. res pect i ve l y. In compari son, the stee l Model 208 weighs in at I 065 grams.

One of the new fea tures of the Model 280 that is immedi ate ly ev ident is the placement of the magazine, which is now in front of the trigger rather than in the gri p as in prev ious models. This was necessary in order to produce a modular pi sto l (i .e ., caliber conversions) and also to create a neutrall y balanced pisto l. Thi s wo uld enh ance the after- shot recovery and also help to minimize reco il.

The area in front of the trigger guard can then be considered the center of gravity of the pistol. This become ev ident to the shooter as when he fires each shot and the magazine gets lighter, the balance of thi s pistol remai ns relati vely undi sturbed.

Further examination of the exterior of the pi stol shows no protruding levers or knobs. Two flu sh mounted buttons on the right side of the pisto l are the onl y visible protrusions. The top button is used to re lease the sli de and the bottom button is used to release the magazine.

Under the barre l, a ttached by a li en screws, are three weights of e ither carbon fiber or steel. The carbon weights are hollow and add li ttle to the overall weight. However, the steel blocks weigh in at 80


access to t he trig ge r we ig ht sc rew . Although the angle of the grip is a little more raked tha n th e old Mod e l 208 (about l .10 degrees) , it is not so severe that it wil l bother the average shooter.

T he front and rea r s ight s a re both made of steel, are eas il y changeable, and come in various sizes to please the shooter's preference. The rear sight gives a nice sight picture, as it is mounted low, and is the same width as the slide.

S ight adjustment is accompl ished by turn ing the appropriate screw in the direction you want to move the group. (Clockwise moves the group down and ri ght. ) Each click at 25 meters move the group IOmm(.3937) and at 50 meters each cli ck is equal to 20mm(.7874).

A word of cauti on to yo u shooters who like to blacken your sights using an open flame: the area around the sights is carbon fiber which onl y has a heat resistance of approximately 180 degrees (F).

Any hot open fl ame can damage your slide so it might be prudent to use and aerosol spray to blacken your sights.

A Look On The Inside Internally, the 280 appears to be well

engineered and obviously designed with the shooter in mind. The pistol is easy to disassemble by follow ing the detai led, easy-to-

Continued on page l OJ

65

LaErance •

By Stanley C. Crist

Small is big in a fighting handgun. For only 21 ounces of self-defense steel in a compact package, you get a heavy hitter.

66

• N

OVA: A star that has exploded, with a resultant decrease in size and mass.

While not a technically precise definition of an astronomical nova, it fairly accurately describes the pistol of the same name. The Nova, produced by La France Specialties, begins its existence as a star- a Star BKM, to be exact.

Tim La France, owner of La France Specialties, has a penchant for making guns as small as possible. Some years ago, Tim wanted to build an ultra-compact 9mm pistol. In searching for a suitable base gun, he quite naturally looked at the Smith & Wesson Model 39. And quickly ruled it out.

The Devel and ASP conversions were popular then , and it was obvious to Tim that the Model 39 could not be reduced in size beyond what these firms were already doing. The few other nines on the market were too big or too heavy, or both.

Finally, he discovered the BKM. Basically a scaled-down Colt Government Model, this aluminum frame pistol is about the same length (with a 4-inch bar-

rel) as an S& W 469 (3.5-inch barrel). It is also considerably slimmer than the Smith, a factor that had great appeal to Tim 's size-conscious mindset.

The choice was easy; thus the world 's smallest 9mm pistol was born. (It is stil l the smallest- and lightest- locked breech nine. The Detonics Pocket 9 and the Sirkis SD-9 are marginally smaller-although several ounces heavier-but are of delayed blowback operation.)

Never in great supply, the production of Novas virtually came to a halt about four years ago due to overwhelming demands of two major markets : law enforcement special weapons and Hollywood movie guns. As those commitments were gradually reduced, Tim has been able to resume manufacture of the Nova.

This is good news indeed, for the marketplace really needs a quality 9mm that is compact and lightweight. It seems that every year some manufacturer or other introduces a 9mm handgun- and it 's always a full-size service pistol with a fat, double column magazine.

There is a definite requirement for a


trul y small nine for use by police (s ince so many agencies arc sw itching to the 9x 19) as a back up/off-du ty weapon and for li cen eel c i v ili ans as a concea lecl carry piece.

I t i s surpri sing th at th e maj or gun makers don't exploit th is apparent gap in the market. Until that happens, there is the superb La France Nova (and for .45 devotees, La France offers the 6 PACalso the smallest and lightest gun made in that legendary ca li ber).

Field Stripping Di sassembl y i s simpl e and prett y

much typica l of Browning-patent designs. Remove the magazine and check that the chamber is empty. With the slide retracted slightly, insert the dismounting tool (a bent paper clip w i l l suffice) in the hole in the now-exposed encl of the reco il spring guide. (The Nova uses a .. semi -capti ve" reco i l spring system.)

Pull the slide to the rear. locking it at the takeclown notch w ith the thumb safery (John Browning should have thought of this for the 19 11 automatic) and remove the slide stop.

Ca refull y ( th e reco il sprin gs are strong) dismount the slide/barrel assembly from the frame. The reco il spring system and barrel may now be eas il y removed from the slide

There is normally no need to remove th e du al sprin gs from th e full - length guide. Actuall y, it is highly recommended that the springs 11 01 be removed. as their high compress ion s tr~n g th makes rc installation on the guide more than a little di fficult ! Reassembly just reverses the above procedure.

Nova Features The ova is f inished in gray Elcctro

fi Im. dry- film , mo lybdenum di sulfide lubri cant th at i s baked ont o all metal part s, exc luding spri ngs (the temperin g would be changed by the heat factor).

Elcctro film renders the gun virtuall y immune to rust and co rros ion, a very des irable characteristic in a firearm meant for concea led carry. The self- lubricating fini sh not onl y pro tec ts the pi stol from the environment. but also it protects the wearer 's clothing from gun oil stains that can happen with conventional lubricants.

Chec kered wood gri ps are standard , but smooth , Gonca lo A lves .. co ffin-lid'. grip s are ava il abl e as an ex tra-cos t option. These optional combat grips seem to have a better feel than the stock grips and the smooth f ini sh w ill ca use less wear an I tea r on c lothin g than wo uld checkered grips. while the tapered shape prov ides control lab ility at least equal to the standard stocks.

A full - length , eight -round magazine is prov ided as a spare; ex tra six-shot mags can be spec ial-ordered, of course, if the user should dec ide that their smaller size is worth the ex tra ex pense. Most people would probab ly fee l more comfort able

The Nova is easily controllable in rapid fire.

wi th eight spare ro und s on their be lt , although in some ci rcum stances mini mum size might be more criti ca l th an max imum firepower.

Th e acc uracy potenti al of th is l i ttl e jewel is nothing short of amaz ing. It was no trouble at all to consistently shoot 2 'h- to 3-inch groups (from a benchrcst) at 25 yard s distance. A nd thi s from a pistol w irh a sight radius little more than half of a .45 Government Model !

Tim credi ts thi s ability to the unique

LA FRANCE NOVA Caliber Weight

9x 1 9mm (9mm Parobellum}

Barrel length Overall length Height Width

21 ounces 3.0 inches 6.2 inches 4.5 inches 1.2 inches

Magazine capacity Muzzle velocity

6 rounds 1100 fps

(WW 115 gr. Silvertip) Electrofilm

Spare 8-round (full length} magazine

Ambidextrous, inside-the-pants holster

Finish Accessories

Price $850.00 Manufacturer La France Specialties

P.O. Box 178211 San Diego, CA 92117

lock-up at the muzzle-to-s l ide inter face. Whil e simi la r gun s use a tapered o r "belled .. barrel. the barrel of the Nova is constant diameter from the locki ng lugs forward . Onl y at the muzz le is there a shoulder that engages the slide for consistent. shot- to-shot perform ance w ithout degrad ing reliabilit y.

While on the subject of rel iabilit y, it should be noted that thi s is not a gun for the nov ice shooter. The recoi l springs have been optimized for use with Winchester 's

excellent Sil vcrt ip hol lowpoint ammunit ion and as men ti oned prev ious ly. the springs are quite strong. A firm shooting grip is required; ·'wcak-wri sting .. a ova wil l, at the very least. cause the slide to fa il to lock open after the last shot.

A lthough Sil vcrtip is the recommended fodder, the test pistol functioned reliabl y wi th CC I Bl azer and Remington j acketed hollowpoints, as well as Federa l

yc lad hollowpoints and the new roundnose Glaser Safety Slugs.

The old fl at nose Glasers caused several failures to feed/chamber. but that sty le of Glaser has been discontinued as it was ·'uncooperati ve" w i th a va ri ety of handgun makes and models.

When a ova is built. Tim shoots a min imum of 200 rounds of Sil vcrti p out of it to sati sfy himself as to its reliability; onl y th en i s th e pi sto l all owed to be shipped to the customer.

Unlike most of the '"chopped,. handgun s that other gun smith s make on an indi vidual bas is. the Nova is a producti on item. Product ion lots are. of necessity. small (perh aps two dozen or so in each batch). so a shooter des iring a La France pistol should be mental ly prepared for a potentiall y lengthy wa it.

The durati on between ordering a Tova and rece i v in g the fini shed produ ct i s dependent on the size of the lot in process versus the number of orders received.

If all the guns in a particular lot arc spoken for, any succeeding orders would naturally have to wa it for the next lot to be compl eted . But. if hav in g th e bes t appeals to you. the wait is worth i t.

The Nova is an exceptional gun . made by a master weaponsmith for experienced and capable shooters; if you can do your part. it wi l l do what you expect of i t. The Tova is cert ainl y we ll -named. for in the

category of compact pi stols it ~ is tru ly a bright star! ~


• ECHNICOL

By Mark Moritz

Photos by Mike Newell

uick , why are all guns either black or silver?

"Because ... because ... well , just because. That 's th e way it 's always been. "

Well , or some people, that answer is not good enough. The folks at Springfi eld Armory tri ed to find a good answer to that quest ion , and when th ey could not, they introduced the latest and greates t inn ovation in th e g un finishes: Armory Coat.

There have been great advan ces in metal fini shing in recent years. You can get finishes that are hi ghly res istant to rust and corrosion , like electroless nicke l, and hard chrome. You can get fini shes that require littl e o r no lubrication , li ke Teflon and NP3.

Armory Coat does those things : it is protecti ve, and it is low-friction. It is a baked-on fini sh, with microscopic bits of sili con embedded. As it happens, sili con comes in colors.

At f irs t , Sp rin gfi e ld Armory made

69

Armory Coat in black. "just because." Then somebody clec iclecl to try a camouflage fin ish. Lo and behold , they di scovered that Armory Coat could be made in green and brown. The next step was logical: " Hey, if you can make it green and brown, why not reel, blue, yellow, or pink?"

Why not. indeed? Or, perhaps more to the point, why?

Why would anybody want a brightly-colored gun ? (Just beca use it can be clone is not a va l id reason. ) Here are several reasons l can think of:

TEAM COLORS: Safarilancl decks out its "shootin g team " me mbers in snazzy yellow and black unifom1s. Shouldn ' t: their guns be yellow and black, too?

SC HOOL C OLORS: Some peo pl e take their team spirit seriously. If you are a Nebraska alumnus, shouldn ' t you have a Big Reel gun? UCLA Bruin fans , don't you want a blue and go ld Gri zz ly? Hey, Alabama, how about a Crim son Slide?

MILITARY/ POLICE U IT C OLORS: I wo uld think that a Marine would want hi s sidearm to be reel with gold trim , and an Air Force man would go for blue with go ld. A Beretta 92 in olive drab wo uld look chic w ith Army fatigues. l have seen some sharp-looking poli ce uniforms in dove gray with coba lt blue tTim. How about iss uin g a serv ice pi stol that matches the unifo rm ?

PERSO AL P REFERENCE: Why do you think th at race ca rs at the Indy 500 are not all painted primer g ray? The ran cy paint jobs don't make them go fa ster, do they? There is nothing wrong with taking a littl e personal pride in one 's equipment, and a brightly co lored g un le ts yo u be an individu a li s t , le ts yo u shake up the shooting club, lets you stand out from the gray and black crowd.

Robe rta Geer 's pi sto l is purpl e and pink, beca use she likes purple and pink. Be nc hres l s hoote rs hav e bee n us in g fla shy fibe rg lass s tocks for years. Why not color the barre l and action to match the stock?

PR ESENTATlO N GU S: One of the best- lookin g Armory Coated gun s I have seen had a white frame, a blue s lide, and reel parts (tri gger, s l icle stop, safety, e tc .) If you are go ing to present a commemorati ve g un to th e re tirin g president of yo ur g un c lub , or so me other pe rso n deserving of honor and distinction, red , white , and blue are bea utiful a nd sy mboli c. The co lors of your sta te fla g mi ght be appropriate for a state leg is lator, or ror th e president of yo ur state rifl e and pistol association.

THEFT-PROOFJNG: A gun with di stincti ve co lors is very easy to spot, and very hard to fe nce. Automobile thieves prefer plain cars that don ' t stand out in traffi c. Can you imag ine a gun thief trying to sell a hot pink Python ?

AESTHETIC APPEAL: Now, th e business about pink g un s for " the littl e woman" is a bit condescending. Women aren·t stupid , but they are often sty le-con-

70

sc ious . White g un s are quite attractive, and a littl e gold trim on the white is very fashionable.

It 's not ju s t women; m e n also are strong ly influenced by colors when , for exampl e, they buy cars. A dealer 's case fill ed with white and burgundy and teal gun s would have tremendous eye appeal.

PUBLIC IMAGE: The non-shooting public has a general dread of guns. Making them in attractive, sporty colors is one way to "soften" the image of firearms.

COURTROOM APPEAL: It is not for nothin g that Massac! Ayoob's favorite . 357 Magnum is nicknamed " Fluffy," and not " Fang. " For th e same reaso n- jury ap pea l- yo u probably don ' t want to carry a "Terminator" revolver loaded with "Devastator" ammunition.

You are better off, from a PR standpoint , with a " D e tec tiv e Special " or "LadySmith" loaded with "Safety Slugs." Likewise, it would be very difficult for a jury to feel infuriated when the prosecutor hold s up a pink AK-47 , or a baby blue Remington 870.

CAMOUFLAGE: Winter hunters like so lid white guns , to bl e nd in with the snow. Turkey hunte rs prefer woodland leaf patte rn s. Dee r hunte rs often use " uncamouflage"; blaze orange really does prevent huntin g acc ide nts. Wh y not a blaze orange deer rifl e? lt could save your life .

Armory Coat is durable, rust-res istant , se lf-lubricating- and Jim. If you rea ll y want to , yo u can even get it in black!


WHAl''S NEW THE LATEST PRODUCTS FOR THE SERIOUS HANDGUNNER

CASEY CLIFFORD

New Grips From Michaels

Longtime shooter, IPSC competitor and one of the industry 's foremost makers of hardwood g rip s, Craig Spege l, has des igned a ser ies of "C ustom Grade" grips for Michaels of Oregon.

Buckeye-Ruger 1 Omm/.38-40 Convertible

Lighter and firmer than ordinary rubber grips, Uncle Mike's grips are molded of tough, durabl e elastomer and are faithfu l reprod uctions of the hardwood masters carved by Spegel.

Suggested price for Unc le Mike's Custom Grade Grips is $ 16.95 for autos and $ 18.95 for revolvers. Send $2 for a 40-page full co lor ca ta log to Michae ls of Oregon, Dept. AH , P.O. Box 13010, Portland, OR 972 13.

Following on the hee ls of the successful .32-20/.32 Magnum, Buckeye Sports Supply and Ruger have again teamed up to bring shooters a single-action convertible Ruger Blackhawk.

est in handgun cali bers with the nostalgia of the past and features a six and one-half inch barrel , all steel grip frame, Goncalo Alves grips and bright bl ue fini sh.

Chambered in 1 Omm Auto and .38-40 Winchester, the new offering blends the lat-

For more informat ion contact Buckeye Sports Supply, Dept AH, 2655 Harrison Ave S.W., Canton, OH , 44706.

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AMERICAN HANDGUNNER • MARCH/ APRIL 1990 7 1

INSIGHl'S INl'O IPSC .............................. DAVE ANDERSON

·.

CANADIAN AND EUROPEAN COURSE DESIGN SETS EXAMPLE FOR WORLD

C ritics of the International Practica l Shooting Confederation often say that too 1 ittle attention is paid to the practical aspect of

the title. Sav in g that discussion for another day, let 's look at something that competitors themselves often overlook, th e " Internationa l" aspect of lPSC.

Over 35 countries are members of the Confederat ion; with the exception of Internationa l Shooting Un ion (lSU) competition, I think it 's safe to say that IPSC is practiced in more countri es than any other shooting discipline.

Besides the obvious benefits of seeing other countries and making new friends. international matches are a good chance to exchange information on equipment. techniques and courses of fire.

: A IR ,, ' ',

: r

squad was done shooting Voigt unloaded the offend ing mag , set it downrange. and neatly dispatched it with a single shot.

Mike uses Springfield Arm ory guns and does his own pisto lsmithing . His match gun is rather basic by current standards: Bo-Mar sights, a beavertail gr ip safety and ambidextro us thumb safety, checkered frontstrap and a mag chute. The g un has a twin-chamber co mp , a design he has experimented w ith for

Judy Smith and Frank Garcia of Florida swept the European Championships with top lady and match winner titles. Both shoot Ed Brown custom .38 Supers.

Michael Voigt, match winner 1989 Canadian IPSC Nationals.

The Canadian Nationa l Championsh ip is becoming recognized more and more as one of the premier matches on the IPSC circuit, known fo r lots of shooting, innovative stage design and a good prize table.

The 1989 match at Regina, Saskatchewan consisted of 13 stages and required some 250 rounds. The Regina Wildlife Federation recreation center is one of the finest range facilities anywhere, with six large ranges (not to mention trapshooting and archery ranges) and a beautiful clubhouse. This was the th ird nationals held at the center; in 1981 there were only about 50 shooters , but that number doubled in 1985 and tripled in '89.

72

And The Winner Is ... The 1989 match winner is California 's

Michael Voigt. A ltho ugh he's been a shooter for 10 years, Voigt say it 's only in the last four years or so that he's really become serious about competition. Since then he has proven himself to be one of the stars of the pro circu it , with a ninth place finish at the '88 U.S . Nationals, and sixth at the ' 89 Steel Challenge.

Voigt was impressed with the course of fire at the Cmiadian match, saying he liked the variety of shooting challenges and the proper balance of precision and fast, close shooting. Voigt won four of the 13 stages outright and was close in most of the others. but he did have one scare on a 20-round field course. Reloading with a 10-round mag, he hem·d the rounds rattling in th e mag and realized the fo ll ower was sticking. Voigt dumped the mag and went to his last spare, a 9-rounder, giving him 10 shots in the gun as he reached the last shooting box- the only problem being he needed 11 rounds to finish.

After shoot ing the gun dry, he holstered, ran back and shook a single round out of the bad mag, ran back to the last box , dropped the round in the chamber and popped the last target.

With the permission of an understanding range officer, when the rest of the

some yea rs. No fancy finish or extra checkerin g , just meticulous workmansh ip, a clean, li ght trigger break and functional rel iability.

He feels that shooters spend too much time fussing over their gear and too linle time actually using it. Voigt says he has seen compet itors practice " malfunction drill s" and boast of their speed in c learing jams.

Better they should learn to load reliab le ammo, get the gun tuned properly, and let the opposition worry about malfunctions.

The new Canadian champion, finishing on ly a few points behind Voigt , is Paul Barrette of Quebec. Barrette 's gun is a full-house job from the Springfield Armo ry custom shop. Barrette is also a pistolsmith and is current ly doing some design work on a consultant bas is for Sprin gfield .

Lady IPSC Champion Lorna Pavelka of Quebec won the

Canad ian ladies' championship, making it a clean sweep for La Belle Province. Pavelka is a fine al l-around handgun competitor, having won the ladies ' championship at the 1988 Bianchi Cup . The Alberta team won the team event.

Debby James won Top Lady, plac ing


18th overall w ith a fin e score of 86.2% (w hi c h wo uld make th e Mas te r c lass 9reak by the USPSA class system).

Just two weeks after thi s match De bby wo n th e ''C h a mpi o n of C hampi o n s" 1.1iatch in South Africa. A month later she won her third consecuti ve U.S . Nationals, and o f course she is the c urrent Wo rld Champion. There seems little doubt that Debby James is the best woman competitor in IPSC hi story.

Her gun is a Wil son Acc u-Comp LE built o n a Co lt .38 Supe r, wo rn in an Erni e Hill ho lste r. She's al so sponsored by Win cheste r, C. P. Bulle ts and Drake Reacti ve Targets.

De bb y sa ys th a t it 's diffi c ult fo r women to compete in IPSC with the best ma le shoote rs , s ince th e diffe re nce in upper body strength makes it more diffi cult to control reco il and swing the g un qui ckl y. As a result , beg inners arc intimidated and di scouraged whe n they compare the ir scores to those of the best male competitors.

Debby would like to see much greater pa rti c ipati o n by wome n in IPS C, a nd encourages beg inners to rate themselves against other women rather than against some Master-class hotshot with I 0 years of match ex perience.

Mrs. James has conducted some c lasses for women shooters and hopes to do more in the future. One of her first goa ls in these c lasses is to overcome two common problems she find s with women who take up IPSC: a low grip, limp wri st ho ld that accentuates muzzle jump, and a lack o f aggress ive ness- le tting the g un control the shooter rather than vice versa.

Debby credits much of her success to her husband Russ James, who is an IPSC Master-class shooter as we ll as the training offi cer for the Bristol , Conn .. po lice department. They both called the Canadian national s a first-class match, very we ll run , with great courses of fire .

Canadian Course Design Speakin g of the s tages , the Onta ri o

IPS C me mbe rs led by Hans Bo rm a nn contributed a stage that was the talk of the match. They had props th at wo uld knock your eyes out- a complete western town with sheriff 's offi ce, j a il , saloon and undertaker 's bus iness! Not to mention cactu s, vultures , rattlesnakes and a stick of dynamite that competitors had to toss in a rain barrel as they ran past! (A ll fake, o f course. though that dynamite sure looked real. )

Seve ra l e xpe ri e nced inte rn a ti o na l

Paul Barrette is top Canadian for 1989.

CANADIAN IPSC NATIONALS Name

Michael Voigt (CA) Paul Barrette (PQ) Paul Miller (CO) Matthew Mclearn (NS) Darcy Bowyer (SK) Ken Kupsch (AB) Chuck Hiett (PA) Kevin Whelihan (AB) Nick Alexakos (ON) Dave Anderson (SK) Ivan Runions (AB) Russell James (CT) Don Brush (ON) Jake Kempton (AZ) Mario Di Paolo (PQ) Bryan Marino (ON)

Score Pistol Caliber

100.00 98.36 98.14 98.5 97.70 97.13 93.83 93.65 93 .60 92.26 91.21 90.73 90.48 90.02 89.42 86.57

Springfield Springfield Caspian Colt Springfield Colt Colt Colt Springfield Colt Colt Colt Colt Springfield Springfield Colt

.38 Super

.38 Super 9mm .38 Super .38 Super .38 Super .38 Super .45 ACP .38 Super .38 Super .38 Super .38 Super .38 Super .38 Super .38 Super .38 Super


Holster

Ernie Hill Ernie Hill Ernie Hill Ernie Hill Ernie Hill Ernie Hill Ernie Hill Ernie Hill Ernie Hill Ernie Hill Ernie Hill Ernie Hill Ernie Hill Ernie Hill Ernie Hill Safari land

Cham~ionnat D'Europe de arcours de Tir

l. Frank Garcia USA 100.00 2. Jean-Claude Boucher F 98.93 3. Robert Dunkley UK 97.78 4. Arnt-Magne Myrhe N 97.32 5. Neil Holmes UK 97.23 6. Jethro Dionisio PHI 97.04 7. Jerry White UK 96.79 8. Vidor Nakling N 96.63 9. Bernard Motte F 96.61 l 0 . Romain Didry F 95.40 l l . Alois Avonds B 94.76 12. Franco Del Pedro Para CH 94.38 13. Serge Fournand F 94.35 14. Hans Schur D 93.56 15. Robert Burdschu CH 93.32 16. Max Wiegand D 92.93

compe tito rs call ed thi s th e s ing le bes t stage they had ever seen.

The To p 16 Shooto ff was spo nso red by Mo lson 's bre weri es. Ma ison 's is the Ca nadi a n bre we r o f Coo rs produ c ts inc luding Coors Light , th e ' ·Sil ver Bullet," and the big trophy they provided fo r the shootoff was ca ll ed , appropriate ly, the Silver Bullet award.

Darcy Bowyer became the first w inner of thi s new troph y by w innin g th e shooto ff, w ith Ivan Runion s second and Dave Anderson third. It 's most gratify ing to see sponsors from outside the industry support shooting sports.

In the U.S .. Coors sponsors the annual Scheut:enfes t, as we ll as a majo r IPSC match in Colorado. Nex t time yo u pic k up a case o f beer, reme mbe r who yo ur fri ends are.

Th e 199 0 Can adian na ti o nal s are planned fo r the first week of August, near Montreal, Quebec. Montreal is one of the wo rld 's great citi es. and Que bes;o is are some of the world 's great people. If a further incentive is needed, it seems there is a good chance the same range will host the 1992 World Shoot. For informati on call Maurice Bellemare at (5 14) 674- 157 1.

European IPSC Match The European championships are he ld

every second year. alternating with World Shoo ts. Th e 1989 m atc h , he ld Re im s, Fra nce , was a 2 I -s tage, 4 00- ro und marathon that anracted competitors from some 20 countries .

It was a good match fo r the shooting team o f Frank Garc ia and Judy Smith o f Miami , Florida as Garc ia took the match win whil e Smith won Top Lady.

Like Michae l Vo igt, Garc ia is considered one of the ri s ing stars on the U.S. scene, with a 6th pl ace fini sh at the ' 88 U.S. Nati ona ls foll owed by anothe r topte n pe rfo rman ce plu s w innin g th e Shooto ff at the ' 89 U.S. match.

Ga rc ia was mos t impressed by th e qu a lit y of th e compe titi o n in E uro pe . Tho ugh the names of th e top European

Continued 0 11 page 75

73

New S&W Auto Comps World renowned fo r hi s wo rk with revolvers, pi stolsmith Bill Jarvi s is now making compensators for Smith & Wesson Models 645, 745 , and 4506. Us ing a twin gas port, ex pansion chamber des ign, th e Ja r v is co mp is a con e- ty pe a nd machined from stress-proof steel.

The comp attaches to the fac tory barrel or one of equal length and costs $ 143 installed (plus $ 10 handling).

Shooters will a lso find a competiti ve edge with the new Jarvis Mag Well s for Smith & Wesson 645 and 745 pi stols. For more inform ati on co ntact Jarvi s Gunsmithin g, De pt. AH , P.O. Bo x 2423, Orange, CA 92669.

Ed Brown 1911 Safeties Ed Brown extends hi s fin e line of custom produ cts with th e addition o f th e Ed Brown Extended Safety. The new extended thumb safety is bigger than the competiti on and all ows the shooter to rest the thumb on top of the sa fety.

The new safeties sit slightl y lower to keep the thumb from contacting the slide and come stron g s ide onl y or ambidextrous in both blue and stainless steel.

Fo r inform ati o n o n a ny of th e Ed Brown line of custom combat accessories write: Ed Brown Produ cts, De pt. A H, Rte. 2, Box 292, Perry, MO 63462.

74

The Latest Combat Pistol Accessories By Casey Clifford

CAD/CAM Comp Silhouette Arms C ustom .45 Shop has just released a precision made cone type, dual c hambe r recoil compensator and spring plug for 1911 pi stols.

Des ig ned and mac hin ed us in g a CAD/CAM machine, the cone-type comp is cut from a solid piece of steel to exacting tol erances on CNC machinery. The new comp is available in .38 Super and .45 ACP. Retail price for the comp and plug is $ 185, $325 with a match grade barrel.

Contact Silhouette Arms Custom .45 Shop, Dept. AH, 1050 Lovely Way, N. Ft. Meyers, FL, 33903 .

Spagnoli Triple Comp International competitor and 1989 Steel Chall enge champion An ge lo Spagno li introduces a new compensator. Manufactured by ALGEMIC in Italy, the comp features a three port design with a restrictor.

The comp is effecti ve in dampenin g recoil and , according to Angelo, provides up to a 50% reduction in muzzle ri se. The cost of the Special Triple Comp is around $ IOO and can easily be installed at home.

Contact Angelo Spagnoli , Dept. AH, 901 Bay St., San Francisco, CA 94109 for more information.


INSIGHTS INTO IPSC Co11ti11uedfim11 page 73

shoo ters are generally no! familiar to th ose w h o f o ll ow th e IPS C scen e in N orth Ameri c a, Frank says he has no doubt !hat the bes\ of them are in a c lass w ith the bes t in the U.S.

A noth er thing that both Garcia and Judy Smith were impressed with was the course of fire. They found the stages to be reali sti c and prac ti cal , providin g a good , comprehensiv e test o r shootin g skill s. and at the sam e time challeng ing and enjoyable to shoot.

Garc i a and Smith both shoot Ed Brown M ax i-Comps in .38 Super, built on Sprin g fi e ld Armory g un s, drawin g from Ernie Hill's new Fas-Trac hol ster.

The top European shooters generall y use compensat ed .38 Supers on 19 11 -sty le pi sto ls as well , though there is considerable interest in various 9mm 's, especiall y comped versions of the CZ-75 .

A merican-made leather gear is popular in Europe and for that matter around the world wherever IPSC matches take pl ace, w ith Ernie Hill Speed Leather and Safariland claiming the bulk o f the market.

The next European championship will be held in 199 1. so start sav ing your pennies.

COTTAGE LEATHER Continued j im n page 34.

w ill be many ca ll s during the day. It is long di stan ce from Malta. Th e ca ll er wants a concealment hol ster for hi s service revol ver. H e doesn ' t know the make o r mode l but states, " It 's a .3 8 abo ut seven inches long."

Andy look s di sgustedly at the phone rece i ver and ye ll s, " So i s m y foo t y ou bloody idio t!'' Actuall y he sa id something a little different.

A leller from the U . S. Embassy w antin g to m ak e an appo intment for a few members o f the Secret Serv ice Pres identi al Protecti on Di v ision. " These men rea lly know their stuff. " A ndy expl ains. He w ill do all he can to sa ti sfy their needs.

There are lelters from !he Far Eas t. Drug en forcement officers bo th U . S. and domesti c looking for a popular A rratoonian concealment des ign, perhaps one they saw on a fellow o ffi cer. Perhaps one of my own favorites, the SOB (Small of the Back) in w hich I carry m y Colt .45 Offi cers model. Andy w ill burn the midnight o il to pl ease these men and w omen w ho so o ften find them sel ves in harm ·s w ay. As a one time California Bureau o f Narcoti cs En fo rcem ent offi cer I apprec iate their need fo r, well , the very best.

There are many letters- every single cla y- from pol i cemen both black and white in South Africa . Yes, there are ho !-

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ster makers locally in that country, but the profess iona l word endorses Andy's profess ional hol sters over all the rest. They are more than willing to pay £25 fo r a holster and another £40 for customs duty. A s itu a ti o n pec uli a r to South A fri ca alone.

There are many letters from the United Stales . A citizen who knows precisely what he needs in the streets of Los Angel es, a co w country de puty from Wyoming, a policewoman from Spokane.

Th e re a re e ve n more le tt e rs fr om hom e , Grea t Brita in . Co ntrary to th e adm o ni shments of anti -gunne rs, many Briti sh po lice do indeed carry guns and undergo intensive training at such places

"You know, I never got an order from

John Wayne. Haven't had one from Clint Eastwood either."

as the West Yorkshire Police Force Training School. It is becoming a mean world all over and terrorists are quite busy in Merry Old England . So are armed robbers. You can ' t get by with a truncheon confronting these people .

Smiling , for he is an unsually happy man pursuing his trade in hi s littl e cottage, Andy sets to work on a belt and holster combination fo r a bodyguard to President Mitterand. She knew exactl y what she needed, right down to matching the thi c kn ess and w idth of he r be lt to the make and mode l of th e a utoloader she carried. "She must be a real pro," mused Andy. Next order on the pile to be fill ed was also from a knowledgeable woman. He r le tte rh ead read " Wom e n Unit e , Retake the Night."

And y pic ked up an o ld Head kni fe with an e bony handl e and deftl y s liced th rough the finest leather av ailable. The kni fe had once be lo nged to hi s w ife's grandfa ther who was a farri er and saddle make r to the e lite French Cadre Noir of the earl y 1900s. Andy smiled, "There is no tool like an old tool. "

Then Andy grinned again. "You know, I neve r got an o rd e r fro m John Way ne. Have n ' t had one from C lint Eas twood either." Well , Andy, maybe that 's because they a re ju st actors and not ...... involved in the real dramas of life. '"'

Andy does bus iness as Horseshoe Leather Products , The Cottage , Sharow Ripon HGR 5PB ENGLAND


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~\\ "STRESSFIRE" At lastl The first volume of Massad Ayoob's long awaited series on "Gunfighting for Police: Advanced Tactics and Techniques." "STRESSFIRE" is the result of Ayoob's years of research about what actually happens in gunfights. Learn how stress and adrenalin affect the mind and body, ruining conventional shooting techniques under pressure ... and how new techniques actually feed off that pressure to make you perform better under stressl

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78

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For your copy of our catalog, send $2.00 to: DON HUME LEATHERGOODS, P.O. Box 351, Dept. AH, Miami, OK 74355.

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BOOK REVIEW

Webley Revolvers by Gordon Bruce and Christian Reinhart. Hardbound, format 81/2 by 11 inches. 256 pages, hundreds of illustrations. $49.50. Distributed in the U. S. by Blacksmith Corporation, Box 1752, Chino Valley, AZ 86323.

A s the sidearm of the British soldier from 1887 through World War Two ,

the Webley revolver is as well-known to most gun people as the Luger and the Colt Government Model. There are also a lot of shooters, including this one , who enjoy firing the Webley. While we may have been familiar with the gun , many of us did not know the detai ls of its fascinating history , or all of its variations.

In 1962, The Webley Story, by the late William C. Dowell , was published. Mr. Dowell 's book covered practically all of the Webley products , and the wide range of his material restricted the amount of space he could give to any particular category. When the Swiss publisher of this book acquired the Dowell material in 1985, it was decided to expand the revolver portion into a separate and definitive book.

Mr. Bruce and Mr. Reinhart have done this, and have done it exceedingly well. This volume gives you a concise history of the Webley firm, then takes you through the caplock and early cartridge revolvers, the commercial and military guns, up to the end of production in 1979. All of the better-known guns are there , of coursethe R . I. C. Model, the .455 Mark VI , and the .38 Mark IV.

And, there are a lot of less-well-known items. The internal-hammer models, service guns fitted with a shoulder-stock , and even one with a bayonet-mount. There is a chapter on Webley single-shot pistols and derringers, and one on .22 conversion units. A separate chapter covers " rapid loaders," some of which were as neat as today's speedloaders, and the first patent on these dates to 1893! Finally, chapter 10 gives detailed data on all of the cartridges used in the Webley guns.

This is the reference book on the Webley revolver.

J.B. Wood

PAGE AFTER PAGE, YOU'LL FIND IT ALL

IN llEllCll llllllllEI


DOUBLE EAGLE Continued from page 59

struction , proven for almost a decade , carries over to the Double Eagle.

New Design Don Khoury 's redesign of the firing

mechani sm is as much ex ternal to the fram e as in ternal. Thi s gives me pause.

The plastic grips are holding some of the parts in place, and if shattered during a violent encounter, might cause the pi stol to cease to function. I a lso wonder about exposure to the e lements.

The test Double Eagle had a superb single-action trigger pull , and that was strange, because it tested very heavy on the scale. We had to pile 61/4 pounds on the tri gger weighing dev ice before single-action !e toff occurred. Ye t, in th e hand, it felt like a cri sp 3 1/, to 4 pound single action.

I believe the reason is the angle of the pivoting trigger, which of course replaces the conventional s liding tri gger mechani sm of the single-action gun.

Frank G lenn of Arizona perfected pivoting triggers for single action Colt autos. These had th e same effect. The greatly im proved leverage of the pivoting trigger made a match gun feel as if it had on ly about two pounds of res istance, less than a bull seye .22, even though the gun actually sca led a good four pounds or more with a sol id sear engagement.

Atrocious DA Trigger Whil e the s in g le -action pull was

excellent, despite some light back lash or rearward movement after the hammer had started to fa ll , the doubl e-action stroke was not good.

"Not good?" wel l, let me qualify that. I be li eve "atroc ious" is th e word I am groping for.

The doub le- action stro ke was too heavy to acc urate ly meas ure . Ed ucated guesses by a nationa ll y known pi stolsmith , an armorer, and yours trul y put it at between 15 and 20 pounds. The problem is compounded by the fac t that the trigger sets well fo rward.

Jn th e average s ize male hand , with the grip tang in the web between thumb and index fin ger, the pad of the tri gger finger barely reaches .

With a smaller hand, there may not be enough leverage to manage the DA stroke. One petite female could activate the Double Eagle DA only with difficulty ; a second could not fire in that mode at all.

Moreover, almost all of the res istance is at the beg inning of th e pull after a small amount of initial slack is taken up. The res istance disappears suddenl y as the hammer begins to fa ll , and there is more than a quarter of an inch of backlash as th e hard -pulling fin ge r now slam s th e tri gger against the frame.

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Just press the pulse switch which Send $2.00 for a 40 page catalog of all electronically activates the red "seeker" of our products. Write Simmons Outdoor dot in the finder scope. Put the red dot on Corporation. 14530 S.W !19th Ave .. Miami. your subject and release the switch. The FL 33186. Dept 101. (305) 252·0477. unique prismatic 20x56.5mm tele- e scope is automatically lined up. and SI"J. A\ KiQNS ®

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Box AH3 McEwen, Tennessee 37101

Double Eagle's exposed decock bar .

Even in dry fire, one can see the muzzle of the gun jerk visibly to the ri ght in the hands of the ri ght-handed shooter.

We were still able to hit eight- inch stee l plates rapidl y from the draw at seven yards , but we had to work at it much harder than with a SIG or a Smith, let alone a single-action Colt.

One of the advantages of the cocked and locked original Colt is that the short. li ght, consistently easy pull of the first shot gives you both great speed and great accuracy with the critically- important #I round.

It 's the one thing Colt 19 11 shooters most hate to give up when they consider sw itching to a double-act ion system. I have learned to live w ith a reasonable reduction in first shot hit potential , but the Double Eagle is asking for a lot more than many wi ll care to give w ith that horrendous DA trigger pull signature.

Click Instead of Bang M y greatest concern with the Double

Eagle, however, is a potential failure to fire the first shot. The Khoury-des igned decock sys tem drops the hammer on a sturdy "sa fet:y shelf ' instead of a safety bar, and of course, the pistol incorporates the Colt firing pin lock of the Series 80.

With thi s new gun , dubbed Series 90, it is poss ible to pull the trigger back double action, drop the hammer .. . and hear the gun go " click" instead of " Bang!" when it fa ll s on the " safety shelf".

The problem is as much ergonomic as mechanica l. The double-action tri gger needs to come all the way back for the hammer to come all the way forward.

The failure for the trigger to come all the way back can be caused by any of at least four things. If you (a) have a fleshy trigger finger; (b) turn your hand around too far for a good finger hold and get too much fin ger on th e tri gger; (c) try to "trigger-brake" or " two-stage" the double action stroke by intentionall y touching the frame with the tip of the trigger finger


before letoff; or (d) retrofit a trigger stop in an attempt to reduce the gun 's admittedly significant trigger backlash.

lf you do any of these things , expect the hammer to stop at the " afety she IP' instead of slamming down on the firing pin and unleashing a .45 s lu g as yo u intended.

This is the problem that will keep me from carrying a Double Eagle for now.

Colt spokesmen te ll me that they are aware of the problem and will almost certainly have it fi xed by the time you read this. If you own one of the 3,000 or so Double Eagles re leased into the market before early October ' 89, when this arti c le was written , John Nassif of Co lt ass ures me that the fac tory will retrofit your gun or otherwise take care of you at no charge.

More Double-Trouble Flaws Nothing made by man including our

parents ' children is perfect. This is true of the Double Eagle as wel l.

Because the enlarged trigger guard was enl arged down as well as forward, th e Double Eagle tends to "point" significantly higher than a 19 11 with or without arched housing. This is not necessarily bad.

As Bill Jordan sa id of th e Borde r Patrol hat , you can adapt to fit it if it doesn ' t fit you.

The 19 JI with e ither mainspring housing happens to point well for me and the Doubl e Eag le points too hi gh; on th e other hand, if you find yourself pointing low with the conventional single ac tion Colt auto, the Double Eagle may be the answer to your problem.

I' ve mentioned my concerns about the exte rnall y-fitted compone nts and th e manner in wh ich the grips contain them. I was a lso irritated to find that the white dot on the front sight was posit ioned way too low.

" Lining up the dots" at 25 yards, the muzzle was so high that the shots printed more than a foot above point of a im .

For our new color brochure and the location of your nearest Hogue dealer

CALL TOLL FREE

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Hogue features a complete line of fancy hardwoods, nylon and soft rubber grips designed for all popular revolvers and automatics.

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Introducing the New

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The Cincher uses a patented adjustment system to shrink and expand. This provides a tight custom fit for practically any handgun. Its open-ended design accepts any barrel length.

Cinchers are adaptable to right or left hand use. Its parallel-tobelt design provides excellent concealability and comfort. A specially treated genuine sheepskin lining combats 'holster-wear. '

CINCHERS COME WITH A 30 DAY MONEYBACK GUARANTEE AND LIFETIME WARRANTY.

THE AFFORDABLE COMPENSATORS for 1911 TYPE PISTOLS

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The world's most respected 9.9 ounces. When it's 9.9 ounces of pure Beretta, it's worthy of respect. The smallest Beretta didn't get that

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Ounce for ounce, the Beretta 950 is the best security * you can own. See your nearest Beretta dealer or ~t~ Beretta U S A contact Beretta U.S.A. Corp., 17601 Beretta Drive, ~ · • • • Accokeek, Maryland 20607. (301) 283-2191.

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c Exposed double-action trigger bar.

Igno rin g th e white s po ts and takin g a conventi ona l s ight pi cture , top of front sight level with top of rear sight , brought the grou ps back whe re they were a imed.

Redes ig n of th e g rip fr ame caused magaz ines to snag sli ghtl y upon inserti on. Fo r pro fess iona ls, thi s slowed the re load by perh aps a fracti on of a second , but so m eo ne new to th e a uto pi s to l mi g ht fee l a ja m a t thi s point h a d occurred , and hes itate to ram th e mag the rest of the way home.

The grip to barrel angle combines with a necessaril y thick stock shape to conta in the outside-mounted parts and g ives the gun a very thick, square fee l. Most 19 11 shooters 1 talked to who handl ed the D.E. initi a ll y didn ' t like th e fee l. Many not habituated to the 19 11 did like it. If you liked the o ld S&W Model 59, you ' ll love the fee l o f the Double Eag le.

The one-stro ke decock lever, whi ch appears to be a s tampin g, is located in front of the left grip panel just above the magazine re lease button, exactly where it would be on a SIG and where most veteran gun handlers agree it is most accessible.

It is a one-stroke movement, but the thi c kn ess o f th e g ri ps necessa ry to enc lose the outside-frame-mounted parts makes it to ughe r fo r a ri ght-h and e r to reach with hi s thumb. It fee ls about like working the decock on a SIG P-226 with Pachm ayr grips.


The decock is. if not qui te as fas t as the S IG , certa inly faster than the slidemo unted, two-moveme nt decocker as found on the S&W, the Beretta, and most other makes. I did not find it terribly difficult to operate.

Reliable But the pisto l has the ti me-proven ba l

ance between sl ide and spr ing that the cartridge was des igned for at the same time as the pistol.

The Double Eag le has , in short , the legendary reliability that made its predecessor gun the on ly firearm in the history of the US Mil itary to pass an Ordnance test 100%.

Historicall y, the 19 11 would feed only mil -spec hardball with certainty, and for almost anyth ing e lse, the feed ramp area had to be throated out. S ince the fi rst sta inless Government Models of the early 1980s, however, the stain less Co lt .45s have been facto ry throated and a lmost a lways feed ho ll owpoints. Ou rs was no exception.

Using a wide variety of contemporary ho ll owpoints- Sie rra hand loads , and factory Winchester Sil vert ip, Rem ington 185 gr. +P, Federal 185 grain , and CCfwe exper ienced no fail u res to feed, extract. or otherwise cycle anyth ing bu t perfectly.

T he gun even fed I 00 % with CC I

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Double Eagle uses a Commander hammer and two-dot rear sight.

Speer 's short , wide 200 gra in Lawman round, which is notorious for choking even throated Colts. This was pleasing, since street gunfight research indicates that of all available .45 ACP ammo, th is is the round that is most li kely to end a pistol fi ght with a single solidly placed hit.


Closing Thoughts OK , you can ' t find leather fo r it yet,

but that 's been true of every other newshape gun that ever came on the market. It ' ll fit a generic large hol ster, or an open'top 4506 ho lste r even thou gh a safety strap won' t be in pos ition to fas ten, until the leath e r makers come on line . T hat should happen qui ck.

The DA trigger stroke can be adapted to, as any HK P9S fan can tell you, unless you have short fi ngers.

What the Double Eagle g ives you for $650 retail is a doubl e-action that operates simil arl y to a SIG fo r a lot less, is made in stainl ess, is very accurate indeed with a good acti on stroke, and takes your existing Colt 19 11 magazines perfec tly.

The pistol is totall y reliable in feeding if our test sample is any indicati on, and when what was learned from the shakedown crui se of the first production run is implemented at the fac tory, the Colt Double Eag le will be a very fin e threat management weapon, indeed.

By th e time yo u read thi s, modifi ed guns should be comin g throu gh. Go to your gunshop and try one before you buy one. In dry fire . with the fl es h o f yo ur tri gger finger between the tri gger and the fra me , see if th e hamm er fa ll s to ha lf coc k o r to th e firin g pin when the sear re leases.

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NATIONALS Continued from page 55

would be expelled from the match . "In the event of a protest, we'd have

no choice but to enforce the IPSC consti tution ," Arnold said , "which clearly states that a region must select a national champ ion a t a n TPSC -sanc tione d nation a l championship. "

The United States has won the pas t three World Championships and hopes to win in Australia again when the match is held in October. There is only one way for the US to avoid a protest that would result in disqualification- host an lPSCsanctioned national championship sometime before October and use that match to solely determine the national team .

IPSC Sanction What 's ironic about the whole thing is

that the match was an outstanding example of practical shooting with very reali stic courses of fire. The tiny little bugaboo that prevented the match from ga ining IPSC sanction was so minor, so nit-picky that it could eas il y have been corrected.

What happened was thi s: there were four little speed shoots, six rounds each, that were run back-to-back. These were call ed stages 7 and 8. They were four separate stages, each with a different scenario, each with targets scored separately and the time recorded individuall y. Fine, nothing wrong with that.

The probl em was that the obs tina te Match Director mandated that the scores for these four separate stages be added together to fo rm two stages ! IPSC rules specifi call y sta te that separate stages must be scored separate ly, which makes imminent good sense when each one is shot and t imed indi viduall y, the stage should score individually.

I mean , it 's really silly, isn ' t it? Such a small , ins ignificant po int that wo uldn ' t change anything at a ll. Just score them separate ly instead of adding them together. Is that really too much to ask to gain IPSC sanction and thus a legitimate berth for our team at the World Shoot?

Let's ask Range Master Ken Slack, the guy in charge of such matters.

"Shouldn 't we score these stages separately so that we can get IPSC sanction, Ken?" I asked.

His reply was precisely three syllables: "F- k J.P.!" Ken barked curtly. (A word of ex planation is in order.

Mr. J.P. Deni s is the pres ident of IPSC and he is the one who sanctions matches .)

Well , so much for IPSC sanction.

Close Race Okay, so it wasn' t an IPSC match. But

it was still a good match with an exciting, reali stic course of fire based on valid scenarios simulating the use of a defensive handgun . It also happened to be the tight-


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est race of any nationals in the history of practical shooting!

The margi n of victory was less than two-tenths of one percent. but it took five days of shooting lo draw the line that fine.

Angelo Spagnoli , the master blaster who was fresh off a Stee l C ha ll e nge vic tory, jumped out to an early lead on the first day. Despite surges from other top shooters like Rob Leatham , Jerry Barnhart and Doug Koenig , Angelo gamely fought to keep his lead over the next three days.

At the end of day four, Angelo was still in the lead and people were beginning to think the unthinkable: that fivetime national champion Rob Leatham was about to be beaten fair and square.

Angelo set the pace with hi s highly custom ized .38 Super pistol built on a Springfield Armory 19 11 -A I . He shot smoothly and cons istently, not necessarily winning the stages outright, but maintaining a so lid performance that would outl ast the fits and spurts of the balls-tothe-wall guys .

Almost. As the fifth dawned bright and clear with a sharp nip in the morning a ir, the top shooters knew there was no tomorrow. Do or die. Angelo went with his game plan of shooting under control , smoothl y and effic iently moving through the stages in a methodical, graceful style.

Meanwhile, Rob Leatham pul the pedal to the metal. The last day of the match featured two stages, an assa ult course and a stage composed en tire ly of disappearing targets. The nine disappearing targets were arrayed in three banks of three, each target exposed for anywhere from two seconds to a quarter of a sec~ o nd . Worse yet, these fl eeti ng targets required the shooter to pivot and lean in awkward stances to see them, let a lone hit them. So tough it was that the shooters called it "the stage from hell. "

But top shooters faced the assau lt course first. Leatham blitzed the assault course in an all-out bid to catch Angelo. Jerry Barnhart, who had been hanging a tough third , hit the afterburners on this stage and really lit a path . Both Leatham and Barnhart squeezed past Angelo as the Italian Stallion watched in dismay while his four day lead quickly eroded.

The stage from hell brought out the best in three-time world cha mpi on Rob Leatham. The dazzling speed of the disappearing targets fazed him not. He clicked off two shots per target with a set cadence that couldn't be interrupted even by the most intimidating of the moving flashes of cardboard, the quarter-second target.

As th e last piece of Super brass hit the ground, it was too c lose to call. The off icia ls of th e Pike-Adams Spo rt smen's Alliance wou ld need their soph isticated scoring program \o determine the winner.

The com puter chewed its bytes and spit out the results: Rob Leatham, match winner with I 00%. In second place, Jerry


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Ba rnh art w ith 99.8 5% . Third . A nge lo Spagnoli with 96.20%.

Guns 'N Gear At the awards banquet, Rob Leatham

stood behind th e podium to say a few words a fter rece iving hi s sixth trophy as National Champion.

" I' d have to ca ll thi s one a ti e," th e gracious winner declared, "Jerry Barnhart deserves thi s as much as I do . Let's give him a round of appl ause."

The over-packed banquet hall erupted in applause. Chairs skidded back noisil y as the crowd rose to g ive JeJTy a standing ovati on. Jndeed, hi s score of 99.85% to Rob's 100% was so close to winning that if it was a horse race , th e photo fini sh wo uldn ' t be b y a nose , it ' d be by a whi sker.

Interestingly, both One and Two have a lot in common . Both are members of Springfi e ld Armory's Go ld Team , both are full-tim e pro fess iona l shooters who shoot and teach shoo tin g for a li v in g. Both shoot identi ca l guns, both use the same holster.

The new Wilson Super Grade doublechamber Accu-Comp pi stol went to the firin g lin e in both Ro b ' s a nd Je rry 's hands. Both picked the .38 Super chamberin g, a lthough Rob opted fo r 135 g r. C P-Elite bull e ts whil e J e rry favo red Winchester 's 130 gr. slugs.

Each strapped on a Safaril and Fina l Option holste r, the amaz ing Tupperware Terror of holster des ign. The Final Option features an innovati ve locking dev ice that holds the pi stol secure ly yet re leases it instantl y for a li ghtning-fast draw from th e low-cut front of th e pl as ti c-leathe r sandwich of "SafariLaminate."

Rob and Jerry arc about the same age. 28 and 29 respecti vely.

Both are married, both have kids, both shoot exceptionall y well. Rob li ves in the sunn y so uth west where it 's poss ibl e to practi ce outdoors all year long; Barnhart


. ' ~ ......... ~,,..

lives in Michigan where it 's not.

Leatham Wins Again Looking at their perfo rm ance in the

gruelling five-day test of practical shooting, some shooters were say ing that Jerry "lost" more th a n Rob "wo n. " Je rr y dropped shots (flat missed a target entirely) on at least two stages that I witnessed, and incurred heavy penalties for missing.

The scuttl ebutt sa id that if just one of those .38 Super bullettes had nicked th e edge of a target in stead of mi ss ing, the scores wou ld have been the other way around.

I don ' t buy that. There 's no get tin g around the fact that Rob Leatham won. Again. He's just the most incred ible practical shooter that 's ever flicked the thumb safety off a Government Model.

He see m s to hav e the un ca nny instincts of a leopard stalking hi s prey to sense exactly how far he dare push before it' s too much. Just as a feline predator wil l inc h as c lose as po ss ibl e before pouncing- but not too close to spook the prey- so too will Rob Leatham race as close to th e edge as poss ibl e without fa lling off. I rather think that if Jerry had hit one of those targets instead of missing, then Rob would have just kicked in the afterburner a litt le harder and shot just that much better. The man paces himself for victory- just e nou g h to win, no more, no less .

He's too experienced to take unnecessary risks. For example, one stage was bas ically just your everyday, downhome El Presidente d rill. (The three ta rgets were c loser than standard at seven instead of I 0 yards and they were spread in a tri angle instead of in a row. Also, the shoote r faced th e targets in stead of sta rtin g with hi s back to the targets.)

On thi s modified El Pre: , Rob could have laid hi s ears back and blazed those six-reload-six in the very-low-four 's. He mi ght just break four seconds if he reall y

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pushed, but only at considerable risk of a dropped shot.

Rob Leatham is far too sophi sticated to ri sk losing the National Championship by pushing for a sub-four £1 Pre: . Far better from a match-strategy standpoint to shoot more conservatively in the hi ghfour's, low-five's and be assured of a high A-count and lots of points.

In this particular instance, Jerry threw it into overdri ve and absolutely blazed the stage, just like he pretty well goes balls-out on everything. He won the modifi ed £ 1 Pre: handily. but Rob was contented with a good, solid score. He knew he would have plenty of other opportunities to feather hi s gas pedal de licate ly into the lead while Jerry Barnhart simpl y stomped it.

No, those armchair quarterbacks who sa id that Je rry would have won if he hadn ' t mi ssed thi s target of if he hadn ' t droppe d thi s shot or if" he' d hit more points on th is stage are complete ly missing the point. Rob Leatham won. Period . I think he would have won regardless of what Jerry did or did not hit.

(As far as that goes, I would have won 1f I'd have shot thi s stage faster, and got more points on that stage, and hit more A's on the standards and ... you get the point.)

The Amazing Record Look at almost a full decade of total

dom ination of IPSC, both on a national level and globally. The only time American Handgunner 's Competitions Ed ito r ever " lost" a Nationals was in 1987 when hi s .38 Super jammed horribly (primer flow-back into th e firing p in ho le gummed up the firin g pin to the point that it wouldn ' t move) . Thi s unfi xab le jam occurred during the point-heavy Standard Exercises and he failed to get off fiv e shots. He was still second!


1983 ..... ... ... IPSC National Champion 1983 ........... IPSC World Champion 1984 ........... IPSC National Champion 1985 .... .... ... IPSC National Champion 1985 ........... Steel Chal lenge Champion 1985 ........... Bianchi Cup Champion 1986 .. .. .... ... IPSC National Champion 1986 .. .. .... ... IPSC. Natic:inal c.hampion 1987 ........... gun 1ams in Nationals;

2nd to Jerry Barnhart 1988 ........... IPSC National Champion 1988 ........... IPSC World Champion 1989 ........... IPSC Champion of

Champions 1989 .... .... ... IPSC National Champion So yes, even !hough the 1989 Nation

als was a reall y close race that Rob himself ca lled ''a lie.'" the Greatest Practi cal Shooter Ever won.

Bui did he w in the JPSC N ation als? Of course he didn "t. because !he current I PS C Reg ional Direc \or of the United States , one Da ve Stan fo rd , scorn s the entire IPSC organizati on, from its sancti oning procedure to its rules . Thi s match was not a sanctioned IPSC match.

Fortunately, Stanford" s term of office ex pires in ju st a few short months and there is a strong and likable candidate by the name of M arc Halcon who has demonstrated a clear understanding of the principles of IPSC shooling lo replace him.

Rob L eatham wil l soon be abl e to compete in a rea l li ve JPSC Nati onal Champi onship once aga in. a refreshing return to the root s of the sport of practi cal pi stol shooting that w i l l come about when Mr. Halcon leads the United States back 10 it s pl ace as the most prominent member of the Intern ati onal Practi cal Shooting Confederati on.

Madame Champion Debby James ex tended her siring of

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•380 380 100 Gr. AN-BB Size 356 $29.00 per 1000 $23.00 10/m FOB

m 38 Super 141 Gr. SWC-BB Size 356-357 $30 50 per 1000 $23.50 10/m FOB

1r801 38-357 158 Gr SWC-BB Size 357-358 $32 50 per 1000 $23 .50 10/m FOB

" ' lOmm 200 Gr. TC-BB Size 401 $38.00 per 1 000 $28 00 10/m FOB

lr413 41 Mag 220 Gr TC-BB Size 411 $41 .00 per 1000 $29.00 10/m FOB

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i #4S 10mm A '48 10mm 170 G1 SWC-BB 200 Gr . SWC-BB Size 401 Size 401 $36.50 per 1000 $38.00 per 1000 $27.50 10/m FOB $28.00 1 Olm FOB I '330 44Mog I ... .... 201 Gr. SWC-88 245 Gr. SWC-BB Size 427-430. Size 427-430 $40.00 per 1000 S42.00 per 1000

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Freight paid per 1000 1 O/m price is plus freight

BULLETS

0 •389 9mm 140 Gr . AN-BB S1ze 356-35 7 S30.50 per 1000 $23.50 10/m FOB

I '334 38 Spec 145 Gr WCO-BB Size 358 $31 50 per 1000 S23 50 10fm FOB

I ,o,'43 10mm 170 Gr. TC-BB Size 401 I $36.50 per 1000

I $27.50 10/m FOB

I !1'416 41 AX 170 Gr . SWC-BB Size 41 1 $37 .50 per 1000 $27.50 10/m FOB

a •6S 45Aop 178 Gr. SWC-BB Size 452 $38.00 per 1000 $28.00 10/m FOB a-.. ~ Q'"' ..... 0 '67 45Aop i #46 45LC. 197 Gr. SWC-BB 224 Gr RN-BB 228 Gr TC-BB 240 Gr . SWC-BB

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We use only VIRGIN ALLOY in the production ot our supreme grade hard cas1 bullets . All bullets are produced on fu lly automated casting mach ines and automatic sizer lubnca!or machines to assure our custome1s the finest quah1y and consistency - BULLET AFTER BULLET. All bullets are sized to Che exact diameter required and ac Che same ume they are lubricated under pressure with our high temperature. smokeless, non-sticky bullet lubncate . Hard Cast Bullets are available 1n two d1f!erenl package styles . Packaged pe1 thousand tor our direct customers Packaged bulk lor manutacturers . Manufacturers call for large volume discounts. LBT Test of 20.

IT IS OK TO MIX TYPES ANO CALIBERS TO COME UP WITH 10/m PRICE PROVIDING THEY ARE ORDERED IN FULL CASE LOTS AS SPEC IFIED . • BULK ORDERS OF CAST BULLETS ARE SHIPPED BY TRUCK FREIGHT COLLECT .

CALL FOR FREIGHT DISCOUNT AMOUNT. All PR ICES IN THIS SUPPLEMENT ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.

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Mode l WIC·2 has a fro nt sight (target or com bat, your c hoice) ...... $119.95 Mode l WIC- 1 or WIC-2 and our slide conversion • • .. . .. . .. $ 272.90 (Bury rear W ichita Sight. permanently mounted Front sight on slide or com p M ill flat on top of slide. and' lower port for easier ejection)

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AMERICAN HANDGUNNER • MARCH/ A PRIL 1990 91

New for the 1990's

Practical Pistol A guidebook for self-defen se and practical combat/competition shooting.

Wri11en By Dave Lauck of D&L Spo11s. C lub I 00 Lis1cd Mas1cr Craftsman o f the Combat Pisto l. Ve1eran Law Officer. S.W.A.T. Officer. Cc11i fi cd Fi rearms Instructor. Di .... tinguishcd Fireanns Ex pc11. and Champion Combat Shooter. • Tn today\ world of h igh-tech and multi - 1hou~and dollar custo m fi rearms. Mr Lauck uses h is cx tcn ~ i vc ex perience 10 guide rcmlcrs th rough the sc lcc1ion. mod ificati on and use o f the best combat handguns ava ilab le.

• Th i ~ book coul d save you hund reds of dol lar~ on your next combat pistol pun;hasc by providing you with up-to-date information on the latest handgun modi ficat ions and accessori es to suit your ind ividua l needs and budget. • Prac ti ca l Pi sto l provides det ailed in formation on combat shooti ng ~afct y. weapon sclc<.:t ion fo r defe nse and/o r compet ition. finishes . ammu ni tion ho lsters. bas ic and ad vanced shoot ing tech niques for combat and competitio n. sights. co mpensator syste ms. p isto l maintenance. and sel f-cl e lCn~e tac ti c~ . etc . • Practical Pis tol a lso con tains a comp lete lis ting o f shoot ing accessory suppliers. firea rms tra ini ng schools. custom g unsm ith ing recommendatio ns.and a g lossary o f practical shoo ting terms.

• Must read ing for the de fensive and competitio n shooter alike ! More than 300 pages fi lled w ith use fu l tex t and o ver 300 photos and ilt ustra lions .

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The fi rst Thompson> produced were mi lled from sol id steel and supplied wi th wa lnut stocks and grips. 30-rnd magazine with opt ional 50- ro und drum magaz ine and . , .~ •. ~"tall fi red th e .45 ~4/v / ca li ber ammo. ,...> . Th e world would

HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF. Almost 75 years later. the time-honored Thompsons are still being

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ladi es nati ona l champi onships to three consecuti ve wins by capturing top honors again . She pl aced 70th overall with a strong score of 75 .73%. The next closest lady was her longtime ri val Kerry Lathwell of Canada who finished l I 7th with 70.02%.

Roundin g th e top fi ve ladies were third place fini sher B .J . Ratliff, fo urth place Kippi Boykin and fifth pl ace Shirley Hamilton .

Debby also won the Ladies Shoot-Off, an after-match spec ia l event that pits the top e ight ladi es against each other in a wom a n- o n- wo man s in g le-e limin ati o n shooting contest. While thi s is her third national title, it was the first time she had eve r wo n both th e Shoot-Off and th e championship in the same match.

Th e 36-year-old PE teacher sho t a Colt G overnm ent Mode l in .38 Super customi zed by Wil son 's Gun Shop. Her winning gun sported one of Bill Wil son's new doubl e-chamber compensators. She fired 130 gr. CP-Elite bullets.

Her winning holster was the new FasTrac from Ernie Hill , the revolutionary speed scabbard des igned spec ifica lly for IPSC shooting.

D e bby sa id he r go al for th e nex t nationa ls, other than winning again , is to place in the top 50 overall. Her 70th placing thi s year is still a remarkabl y hi gh fin-

A realistic stage at the Nationals uses close range targets in keeping with FBI gunfight stats of seven yards in police gun battles.


ish for a lady because she beat well over 300 men. Who says it takes a hairy chest to shoot a major ca liber pistol!

Division Winners The shooters are class ifi ed according

to ability and sk ill based on a nationa l c lass ifi cat ion se ri es of qualification matches that are shot throughout the year at local clubs nationwide . There are fiv e classes : Master, A, B. C and D.

At the nati o nal championships the re are awards for all of these classes except Master c lass . It is ass um ed that th e national championship itse lf is the prize for any Master class shooter. but those of lesser skill compete for C lass Awards.

The winner of A class was Kip Kullbe rg who s h o t a very good sco re of 82.57% placing him 35 th overall.

Top honors for B class went to Ca lifornian Chris Horii with an A-level score of 82. 10% and 38th place overall .

Larry Strait, Jr. took th e go ld in C class with a solid 8-level score of 74.58% for an overall placing of 80th.

There were only seven shooters registered in D class , but Don Hil eman put on a good sho w to w in hi s c lass in 386th place overa ll and a score of 42.73 %

A ll of these winners can look forward to compet in g in higher c lasses in th e 1990 IPSC National Championships and American Ha11dg111111 er w ill be the re to brin g yo u th e shot-by-shot story.

Match-Grade Performance

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Union County, PA. Jack Sutton, La Fayette, New York, shot an unprecedented .319" group on June 18, 1988 to capture the current IBS 300 yard light varmint record.

Records are not broken by accident. Precision accuracy of this magnitude is accomplished only by those dedicated to perfection, where no detail is too small in the quest for accuracy.

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SI LU ETAS Co11ti1111ed.fi'om page 42

ette loads. Search out those shooters that reload and have been successful in s ilhouetting and seek the ir advice. Or try the more satisfying route of personally developing your own loads. Th e first way requires a lot of faith in others, the second method requires a chronograph.

It probably is not poss ible to wear out a chronograph, but I have certa inly come close. Beat up wou ld be a better term as I have used them in some pre tty nasty weather and sky screens have taken many a tumble in high winds.

And if you look closely, it is even possibl e to find a sky screen shi eld with a mark made by a bullet or two-- made by other shooters of course!- and perhaps you may even find a few shot-up sky screen plastic bodies aro und. I've never gotten the sky screen itself, but I have sent a few plastic bodies to their eternal resting place. And always with a scoped gun !

Chronographs that work for me have all clocked numerous miles riding in the back of a pickup and a Bronco also. They still come up working. I marvel at the mirac le of modern electronics and what these little machines will do for us .

Starting with an Oehl er Model 12. that required runnin g through of 16 switch settings and then reading the actual muzzle velocity from a code book , I very early learned the value of a chronograph in building quality reloads.

Shooters often talk about fliers . Start shooting over a clock and you see that the mystery can often be c leared up as the flier turns out to be a load that has considerable muzzle velocity deviation from the other loads. A load that is on ly one and one-half inches from the rest of the shots in a group at 25 yards, will magnify to 13-plus inches a t 200 meters and a missed target.

Perhaps a few of the missed targets in each match arc not really shoote r error, but e rratic loads . A ch ronograph wil l reveal thi s very quickl y.

Since it is necessary to do a great deal of shooting ror my va ri ous wr itin g assignment s wi th American Ha11dgu1111er, I keep three chronographs hummin g . Both a PACT PC and an Oehler 33 have their skyscrccns mounted on the same bar so they can be run in tandem and be check ed against each other. C hron ograph s , like computers, somet imes do unpredictable things and having two runnin g together informs me quickly when something is wrong.

A qua I ity chronograph can be purchased ror around $200 and both th e PACT and the Oehler 33 have given excellent service. The PACT can be had with a printer fo r about $ I 00 more and Oeh !er now offers their latest, the Model 35, with a printer and a double set of skyscreens


When It's Time For A Change . .. . . . THE S&A MAG-GUIDE

U.S. Pat. # 4,570,370

that give two velocity readings. Th e Mode l 35 has been g rea tl y

improved over the Model 33 simply by the use of one 9 volt battery instead of six D cell s. I' m sure some erratic readings come fro m D-cell s in the chronograph breaking contact from the muzzle blast of the gun being tested.

I would not be without a printer. I did not really see any great use for one until I started using it and found that it is so easy to write down the load and gun on the printout and then study the results later at leisure.

- ONE PIECE MAGAZINE GUIDE AND MAINSPRING HOUSING

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I have run thousands of loads over the Model 35 skyscreens over the past two months and it has never fa iled to pick up a shot and give a reliable reading.

Seeing To Shoot A progressive reloader and a chrono

graph are the most ex pensive items that spell success; there are others. Shooting glasses are a must for safety and for giving the best sight picture.

Have you had trouble late ly see ing s ights? No you aren ' t getting o ld , just older. Call the eye doctor and explain the

problem and tell him you want to bring your guns into the office and show him first-hand what you need in the way of shoo tin g g lasses. If he says no , find another doctor.

I' ve had shooters say to me that they can ' t shoot Creed more anymore because they wear bi foca ls. Ridi c ulous ! Get a second pair of glasses ! I' ve watched oth ers shoot by looking through their bi focals to see the s ights and guess where the targets are.

My eyes are tremendously important to me and as such 1 have fiv e pairs of


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Want a top notch, high tech 1911 -A1 pistol for IPSC competition, similar to the ones used by world class action shooters Doug Koenig , Frank Garcia and Rick Castelow? How about a precise, reliable wadcutter or hardball gun every bit as accurate as the ones used by bullseye champion Tom Woods?

Under the direction of renowned pistolsmith Les Baer, the Springfield Custom Shop employs the very latest patented state-of-the-art technology and uses the highest quality parts to build premium grade 1911-A 1 custom pistols. All of our superb custom pistols are built on Springfield's forged 1911 -A 1 components. Concerned about turnaround time and cost? We're faster than any custom operation you'll find (we're talking weeks, not years). And our prices are extremely competitive. For the ultimate in value and fast delivery, choose one of our popular custom packages. Or, give us your specifications and we'll build your custom pistol precisely the way you want it, including any of several optional finishes. Quality? We'll guarantee your satisfaction or your money back.

For a complete list of custom services or for ordering information, call Karen at the Springfield Custom Shop: (309) 441-5549. Or, send ~

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The Oldest Name Jn American Firearms

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IDEAL FOR APARTMENT DWELLERS DESIGN. YOUR BODY WEIGHT IS SUSWITHOUT A GARAGE FOR A HEAVY PENDED ON THE SAME FRAME WITH BENCH. TAKE INTO THE HOUSE WHEN THE PRESS. CONSEQUENTLY. NO GARAGE IS TOO HOT OR COLD. TAKE TABLE MOVEMENT PUSH & PULL TO THE RANGE TO DEVELOP PET WORKS AGAINST YOUR BODY TABLE LOADS WITH YOUR FAVORITE PRESS. WILL NOT LIFT OFF THE FLOOR DOES NOT BOLT TO FLOOR. DUE TO

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96

g lasses. T here are m y regul ar g l asses w ith bi foca l s fo r read ing, m y g l asses w ithout the read ing lens for normal activity, my Creedmore shooting glasses wi th the lens ground so the center of focus is not in the center but in the bottom hal f of the lens, my shooting glasses which are ground so th ey are exac tl y hal f-way between my regular lens and my reading lens, and my prescription sun glasses.

Pairs three and four both have yellow lenses to further aid in target definition.

I know, the fi rst reaction is, " What a lot of money to spend for glasses !" Not really.

Fi rst, i t i s im poss ibl e to spend too much money for glasses. After all , w ithout eyes we cannot shoot at all. How can anyone j usti fy a gun costing $300, $500 or even $1000, and scrimp when it comes to eyes ight?

Second, I purchase less than one pair of glasses per year. Eyes do not change every year, glasses do not wear out, and a pair of glasses cost about what si x boxes of factory ammunition would run . A genuine bargain.

Actually, new glasses may not even be needed. As we get older, our eyes have a more difficult time focusing at different distances. They can be aided in this by the use of an aperture on the lens of our shooting o r presc rip t ion g l asses. A quali ty, adjustable aperture that mounts to the lens itself w ith a suction cup, can be purchased for around $60 about the cost of si x to eight boxes of brass , or four pounds of powder. These are available through Merit Sight, Box 904-4, Dept. A H , Schenectady, N Y 12309, phone: (518) 346- 1420.

All Ears H earing is second only to sight and

any number of shooters are los ing their hearin g not because they do not wear hearing protection, but what they do wear is inadequate.

Just because there is no pain when the gun(s) go off does not mean that adequate protection is being afforded . . 38 Special cases in the ears are not the ultimate hearing protector.

Better to use the soft foam inserts and some type of pro tec ti ve muffs. I have hearing protectors that run all the way from pairs purchased on sal e for $5 so I would always have something around for others to use, up to the sophisticated type w i th built- in receivers such as found in Act ion Ear protectors.

In addition to protecting our hearing, good ear protectors are good for at least a couple of targets as they muffle the blast of the ground-shaker used by the shooter found next to us in many matches.

Other Shooting Aids As the rules are set up now, it is impos

sible to compete on an even basis wi thout a spotter. It is possible to give the spotter a break and improve scores at the same time by simply purchasing a high-qual ity spot-


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Beware of Cheap Imitations

DRAKE'S Steel Reactive Targets

VERTICAL SPLIT POPPER- $165.00

Drake's adds a new dimensk>n to the "Pepper v· Popper" with this dual target model. Knock down \_ each side independently or deal with a "shoot/no ( shoot" situation. Used by law enforcement : training programs nationwide. Compact channel J steel base. easily portable, angle adjustment. 42 in. htgh, 55 lbs. ships UPS.

DRAKE'S SWINGER - $179.00

Side-to-Side tilting double-target frame . Activated by pulling out included prop from firing line, by a door or a falling ·Pepper Poppe('. COunterweighted and mounted on two enck>sed ball bearings for long swing time. Base removatNe without tools. Pockets mount your wood furring strips and two standard IPSC targets. 3 ft . high (bottom of target), 51 lbs ., ships UPS.

"PEPPER POPPER" - $99.00

Classic target shape falls when hit. Compact base tor portability. fits in car trunk. Our own massive full -width hinge. easy angle adjustment at base, mild steel target . COmes in two sizes, ships UPS. Standard 42 in. high, 55 lbs. Mini Popper (Half size 21 in. high, 18 lbs.)159.00

Popper made c t harder T-1 steel tor extended life. S111.00

3-WAY FLOPPER -$85.00

Hit the 8 in. round plate to start targets moving. With two targets, one disappears and another POPS UP. Using one target in the rear position, target disappears. With one target front, target POPS UP, then disappears. Allows several variations on ·shoot/no shoot.· Uses your wood furring strips and standard IPSC targets, speed adjusted by changing furring strip '8ngth. 3 ft. high (top of round plate), 48 lbs., ships UPS

Targets are designed for use with all lead pistol bullets only. Custom plate prk:es upon request . Sand S2 tor tull-cok>r brochure. For inquiries call us at (203)535--3915. AH shipping charges coMect. CT residents add 8 % sales tax . To order call us at 1-800-HIT-TAAGET or send name & full shipping address with check or money order to:

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ting scope or pair of binoculars. For around $ IOO, it is possible to do

away with: "Sorry, I didn ' t see where that last one went."

I hate to lug a spotting scope around and lately have been using a pair of Redfield 1 Ox50 's th at really help the spotter do hi s job well. Plus they are used for a lot of other activities bes ides silhouetting. Another great bargain.

A number of other pieces of eq uipment that are good for a couple of ex tra targets can be purchased for next to nothing. lf one shoots Creedmore, an elbow pad is an absolute necess ity. Yes, I know the re a re those who say that it rea ll y does n ' t bothe r th e m eve ry ti me th e ir elbow gets touched a mite by the ground as the gun recoils. It may not bother anyone physically, but it certainly messes up th e mental game to know that one is go ing to get smacked however sli ght it might be.

Some weird concoctions are used for blast shields and in the interest of shooter safety it might be a good idea to have some rules on blast shields. Carpet absolute ly does not work, the blast just goes right through.

One of the simplest blast shields can be made by starting with a piece of leather that is 20"x 15" _ Fold it over so it is a double piece that is about lO"x 15", rivet an old belt to the top of it to slip over the knee, and voila, excellent protection .

A lot of crud, unburned powder, pieces of lead, or jacket metal can come out of the barrel/cylinder gap of a revolver and blood poisoning is no fun especially when it can be avo ided so eas il y. Shoot a revolver in a cardboard box sometime and see what winds up on the walls of the box. That 's what the blast shield protects a shooter from as well as providing physical comfort while shooting.

If one has a typical silhouette gun , be it a SuperMag or Magnum revolver, a quality s in g le-shot , or even a .22 , of which numerous excellent examples are ava il able, the use of proper equipmen t and accessories can guarantee moving up at least one class .

No, a " be tte r" gun is not necessa ry. Just spend money wisely and it is possible to actually purchase success.

PARA-ORDNANCE Continued Ji-om page 32

casting, and combined with a matte black, non -refl ective fini sh the effect is quite attractive.

There are some des ign changes from the sta nd a rd 1911 patte rn. Th e g rip screws thread directly into the frame, rather than into removabl e bushings, eliminating the irritating habit these bushings have of back ing out whenever the stock panels are removed.


Custom mounting for most popular service pistols and nM>lwrs.

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Call or write for a FREE catalog I Dealer inquiries invited

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The Best cuns Need the Best Parts Specify Ed Brown custom Parts on Your Next Gun. ..

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The downside to this is that if you get too enthusiastic with a screwdriver and strip the thread in the frame, they would have to be recut with a tap. The makers have reduced the possibility of this happening by usi ng grip screws that are much larger in diameter than those on Colt pistols (.185" versus .148" by my micrometer) .

On the Colt pistol and most copies, the safety plunger tube is a separate piece that is held to the frame by rivets. Occasiona lly this part will come loose and make the thumb safety inoperable, sometimes locking it in the "on" position. On the Para-Ordnance frame the plunger tube is cast integrally with the frame, and of course it can ' t come loose. It 's definitely an improvement.

Complete .45 Kit Designing a frame that would function

with both Series 70 and Series 80 pistols must have taken some thought. The frame is slotted for the Series 80 linkage that allows the trigger to release the firing pin lock in the slide.

Series 70 and earlier guns don't have this linkage, of course, and without the Series 80 parts a gap is left in the frame. To fill this gap a triangular metal insert is provided which fits the s lot cut in the frame and is retained by the hammer and sear pins. It 's a clever idea, and it worked perfectly in the test sample.

The metal insert is included in the package, along with all parts needed to convert a standard I 911 . These include the frame; a 13-shot magazine , about which more later; a longer magazine catch lock; a trigger assembly (since a wider trigger bow is required to fit the wider magazine well); a set of stock pane ls and screws; an 18-pound recoil spri ng , and plastic spri ng guide that serves as a buffer to reduce frame wear. (When this guide starts to show excessive wear, it should be replaced. Replacements are available at nominal cost.)

Putting the kit together was a straightforward matter of detail stripping a Series 70 Colt Gold Cup then reassembling it with the replacement parts. The fitting of the Colt parts gave further ev idence of sound workmanship. All pin holes in the frame were straight and a proper fit for the various pins .

Trigger pull was virtually unchanged, indicating that the hammer and sear pin holes were properly aligned. Slide to frame fit was good, and all parts dropped in place easily, with no special fitting required.

In the literature accompanying the kit Para-Ordnance recommends that the buyer " have a qualified gunsmith fit this product for your pistol so you may be assured of your pistol's continuous and safe operation." They further advise that you make certain that all safety devices are operable prior to using the modified pistol.

13-Shot Magazine The 13-shot magazines are quite simi

lar in design and appearance to those of the Browning Hi-Power, with a double ca.rtridge column tape ring to a single feed. They are so lidly constructed of heavy gauge sheet steel, heat treated for durability. The removable base plate allows easy disassembly for cleaning.

The interior geometry of these mags seems to have been worked out very well, for they are relatively easy to load and provided flawless feeding throughout the test. I found it no more difficult to get the 13th round into these mags than it is to get the seventh round into a stock Colt mag.

Para-Ordnance sent along two extras in addition to the one included in the kit, and all three functioned perfectly, locking the slide back on the last round and dropping freely from the gun when the mag release button was pushed.

The manufacture rs advise that they have an adequate supply of magazines for those requiring spares. They aren ' t cheap at $45 , but they are an excellent magazine, and three of these will carry almost as many rounds as six standard sevenshot mags.

With this frame fitted , weight of the empty gun is just under 32 ozs., and with 14 rounds (230 gr. F ederals ) weight is 42 ozs. For comparison a stock Government Model weighs 39 ozs. empty and 45 ozs. when fully loaded with eight of the same rounds .

Fat Grip, No Problem The size of the grip fram e wi ll be a

concern to some shooters , since it would seem only logical that a very large grip is needed to hold 13 .45 ACP cartridges.

The frame just isn ' t all that much larger. Its width is on ly about 1/ 10" more than the Browning, and 2/1 0" more than the single-column Government Model , while grip diameter is about 1/•" to 1f2" greater.

Now some people find the Browning and Colt pistols are already too large for their hands and obviously they won't find the new frame any better. But a shooter who can handle either of those pistols comfortably should have no trouble with the Para-Ordnance.

It was interesting to hear the comments of a number of experienced handgunners who handled and shot this gun. Evident ly they had a preconceived idea about the s ize of the gr ip , for almost everyone on first handling the gun made some kidding remark about it. Then after handling it for a whi le and firing a few rounds, a lmost invariably they would note wi th some surprise that the grip really isn't all that large.

Two of the shooters who tried the gun were an inch or two over s ix feet in height with fa irly large hands , and both commented that the bigger grip actua ll y fe lt better in the hand .

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rEsr REPORT

I n 1957, this young teenager purchased a brand new seven and one-half inch barreled Colt Single Action

Army .45 Colt. I immediately went to the leather belting factory and got leather for a belt and holster, and then got the shock of my young life when I saw the price tag on a box of .45 Colt ammunition. It had taken three weeks pay for the Colt; how would I be able to feed it?

One box of ammunition was purchased and I began a search to find out about reloading. I only lacked two things, equipment and knowledge.

The large hardware company I worked for at the time had a reciprocal agreement with a sporting goods store so employees could purchase bY. payroll deduction at either place, so I went into debt for loading equipment, bullets , lead , primers and a can of Dupont 5066.

That first tool was- still is for that matter- the Lyman #310 Tong Tool and many a round of .45 Colt ammunition was reloaded with it. Along with the tong tool l was smart enough to purchase a Lyman #55 Powder Measure, but not smart enough to buy a scale to check the settings with.

Lyman has made it much easier for a beginner to start reloading today with the availability of the Lyman Acculine Pistol Pro Kit. Priced at $199 less dies, the Acculine kit contains a press, a powder measure, a powder scale, a case trimmer, a case lube kit, a loading block, a primer flipper, a deburring tool , a priming tool, a universal decapping die, a powder funnel, a Hodgdon basic loading manual, an Accurate Arms loading manual, a Lyman Reloading and Cast Bullet Guide and, most importantly in this high-tech age, a how-to-do-it video. The video is invaluable for the neophyte reloader.

The press supplied is the compact Accupress that can be used as a bench press or a hand press like the old #3 10 tool. The mounting area of the press accepts four bolts and measures just one and one-half by two inches, so this press can be mounted in a very small area.

100

Another piece of equipment that Lyman now offers that was added to my. sample Acculine kit, is the Multi-Expand Powder Charge Die. This is an expanding die with hollow expander buttons for . 32, 9mm, .38/357, .41, .44 and .45. In use, the powder measure is mounted above the die and as the primed case is run up into the die to have the mouth expanded to accept a bullet, a flick of the lever and the case is also charged with the right amount of powder.

The powder measure supplied with the Acculine Kit is the Pistol Accumeasure. Instead of being a measure with an infinite range of settings, the Accumeasure is supplied with five different sized rotors to drop differing amounts of powder. Twelve other rotors are available from Lyman.

The Acculine Pistol Pro Kit will not take the place of my large single stage or progressive presses. It will find service at the shooting range, in the field, or at the mountain retreat. I could have realized a much better start reloading 30-plus years ago had something like this been available.

Contact Lyman at Route 147, Dept AH, Middlefield, CT 06455, for further information and a complete catalog of Lyman reloading and ....... bullet casting products. '°'

Test Firing Estimating the durability of the alloy

frame is very difficult, since it would take 10,000 rounds or so through each of a sample of 15 or 20 guns to draw any valid conclusions. I can say that I fired some 2,000 rounds through the test frame with no apparent wear.

No stress cracks or other damage occurred, all pin holes remained snug, and even the anodizing on the frame rails hardly showed any wear. Most of the loads fired were 200 gr. lead semi-wadcutters at about 950 fps , the balance were Federal 230 gr. ball loads and Winchester 185 gr. Silvertips. There were no malfunctions , and the accuracy level was the same as when the Gold Cup frame has been used.

The magazine catch lock supplied with the kit is made of plastic , and I was concerned it might wear out in short order. To check on this I ran a magazine in and out of the gun one evening while watching television. (An extremely boring procedure, by the way. Watching TV, I mean).

This was in addition to the dozens of mag changes required by the actual shooting tests. At the end of this test the catch lock looked like new, showing no perceptible wear. They do amazing things with plastics these days.

This Para-Ordnance frame would seem to be a natural for the peace officer who carries a .45 Auto in a duty holster. It gives the officer a sidearm that is actually a bit lighter than a standard 1911 when both are fully loaded , yet holds 14 rounds instead of eight. With two spare mags on the belt the officer can carry a total of 40 rounds , which should be enough to solve most any problem .

The frame is also of considerable interest to IPSC competitors , and has already been used in matches by John Dixon, a top-flight competitor from Texas. Dixon's prototype pistol is made from beryllium copper for extra weight and durability.

Para-Ordnance is planning to have these beryllium copper frames ready for distribution soon. The price will be considerably higher, but for the competitor who shoots a lot of rounds it may be worth it for the longer service life. The manufacturers also soon plan to introduce a frame for the Commander Model , with its shorter slide.

The company has arranged to have its products marketed in the US through a network of US distributors , so your local gunshop should be able to get one for you.

For 1 iterature on the 13-shot frame, or other information, write: Para-Ordnance Mfg., Inc., 3411 McNicoll Avenue, Dept. AH , Scarborough , Ontario Ml V 2V6 or call ....... (416) 297-7855 . '"'


HAM MERLI Continuedji·om page 65

follow instructions in the owners manual. Once the top unit is off, you can have

a good look at the 41/2" steel barre l that is held firmly in place by a bushing at the muzz le end and three carbon cross members and a coiled spring, tensioned by two clips at the breech end.

ln addition, when the top unit is on the frame, a bolt going through the magazine well not only bolts the top unit to the frame but also acts to keep the barrel locked in its position. Because of the support the barrel receives along its entire length , very little barrel oscillation occurs, thus contributing to excellent accuracy.

Great Trigger The heart o f the interior of the frame is

th e tri gger asse mbl y whi c h ca n be described as a modular unit that simply is push-fitted into the shortened grip area of the frame. This trigger unit was designed to please even the most meticulous shooter.

Once re mov ed from th e fram e (use caution here as two buffers are fitted on e ither s ide of th e unit and w ill fa ll o ut when you push the tri gger unit out of the frame), the trigger unit can be adju sted fiv e differe nt ways . Scre w adju stments are provided for trigger weight, length of slack or take up, tri gger stop adjustment, and le t-off we ight.

In addition, the tri gg~r can be moved long itudinally about half an inch fo r various fin ger lengths.

Again , a word o f ca ution for shooters who like to play gun smith! Although the trigger unit provides for numerous adju stments, Hammerli cautions the shooter to perform each adjustment in the sequence outlined in the owners manual.

Hammerli devotes fiv e pages in the ir manual to trigger adju stments and l fo und the descriptions easy to use beca use o f their graphic description and attention to de ta il. Re membe r, fo llo w th e nu m be rs and you can ' t go wrong.

One la s t impo rtant point a bo ut th e triggers. Every pi sto l coming to the United States will have a manual safety that is built into the grip and frame of the pi sto l. Thi s sa fety can o nl y be engaged to the safe pos ition when the pistol is cocked.

Two colore d do ts ( re el and white) mark the two pos iti ons. fn the white dot pos iti on , the safety is e ngaged and th e hammer is blocked to prevent firin g. The red pos ition signifies the fire pos iti on and now th e hamme r will fall all ow ing th e pi stol to fire .

It 's a nice s imple design that work s, and makes the pi stol legal for impo1tation.

A fte r several cl ays o f familiari z ing myself with the pi s to l, I fin a ll y headed for the ran ge and some live firin g. For tes t purposes , I used the Oute rs " Pi stol Perch" res t for bench resting the pi stol

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L~~~-----------~~-------J AMERICAN HANDGUNNER • MARCH/ APRIL 1990 101

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The

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int. diameter height Produc t Side Cop min. max. Code View No. mm inch mm inch finish

2105268 LJ 1075 4.25 .17 4.20 17 ribbed ··u .. brand

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102

and used fi ve brands of .22 LR and two brands of .32 WC match ammo fo r tes t firing. All firing was done at 25 meters.

First, I fired about 50 rounds of various .22 LR ammo to get a good zero and also to see how the various weight combinat ions would affect recoil. I was surprised to fi nd that even with the hollow carbon weights attached, the recoil was relative ly mild .

The combination I fo und ideal was with two steel weights attached in the two m ost aft pos iti o ns. Wi th three s tee l weights attached, the pi sto l was a little heavy for single precision shots, but fo r rapid fire, the we ights definit e ly he ld muzzle flip to a minimum, keeping the front sight within the 7.75 inch black area of the 25 meter UIT target.

Accuracy Tests My acc uracy tes ts ce rta inly didn ' t

match the test groups included with the pi stol , but reali stic a ll y, my bench res t wasn ' t in the same league as Hammerli's test equipment or even a Ransom Rest.

The Pistol Perch provides a base fo r the grip of the pi stol which is held by the shooter, while the barrel end of the pi stol is held firml y in a V-shaped prong. I'm sure my technique in using the res t was responsible fo r some of the dispersion in the fi ve shot groups, as each group had one fl yer in it.

All fi ve shots were eas ily wi thin the two-inch 10-ring of the UIT target. Most groups measured about 11/," and the best groups using Eley 1 OX and Fiocchi Standard Pistol Match , measured about one inc h . Witho ut th e fl ye r, th e Eley an d Fiocchi groups were about half an inch.

The conversion from .22 and .32 took onl y a few minutes and by now my technique with the rest was improv ing as the .32 groups were more realistic .

Federal .32 produced about a one-inch group and Lapua showed about 1.1 inches.

My favori te weight combination for the .32 was also the two steel weights in the most rear position . This was especially true when I fi red from the dueling position (i.e., arm at the 45 degree down position and then raised to fire one shot in three seconds; arm back down to the ready position for seven seconds and sequence repeated for a total of five shots.)

The three steel weights had a tendency to fa tigue the arm, while the two weight combination was less tiring and more to my liking.

Reco il with th e .32 again was mild and the reco il fo rce was stra ight bac k into the web of the hand and in line with the arm rather than any twisting or high muzzle ri se.

After completion of the accuracy tests, 1 fi red some ro unds from the off-hand pos ition . I fo und th e pi sto l to ·be very user-fri endly as I fired a 49 out of 50 in fi ve shots of prec ision and a score of 100 with I 0 shots in dueling.

Overall , I was very impressed with the

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280. The pi stol was de finite ly des ig ned with the shooter in mind. The caliber conversions. the multiple trigger adjustments, and th e we ight c ha nges a re a ll eas il y done and accompli shed by using the tool s furni shed with the pi sto l.

Alth o ug h 1 th o ug ht th e g rip s we re excell ent for an "out o f the box" target pi stol, I wo uld have preferred a bigger palm rest as my large hand had a tendency to roll over the s ide. UIT rul es are very stri ct as to dimensions of the pi stol in that th e e ntire pi s to l has to fit in s ide an approved box. To keep the pi sto l ·' legal' ' I"m sure 1-I ammerli ke pt the grips down to a minimum size.

A littl e work w ith a Dre me l tool o r perhaps purchas ing a set of custom grips should solve the grip problem.

Although the tri gger weight is easy to adju st yo u rea ll y a re g uess in g w he n adjusting, unless you bring a set of tri gger we ights to yo ur ma tc hes . Th e se riou s competitor should consider two triggers: one set fo r IOOO gram s for .22 competi ti on and the other set fo r 1360 grams for the centerfire match. The tri gger change can be eas il y accompli shed when changing calibers and you now have the peace of mind o f hav ing a legal tri gger.

Thi s pi stol should be well received by fe ma le a nd juni o r s hoo te rs a like . The option of chang ing the we ights under the barrel gives them the choice o f tailoring the weight of the pistol to their capabilities .

Although the pi sto l was des igned for UIT competition (a ll done at 25 meters. except free pi s tol ) the 280 sho uld be a fo rmidable competito r in NRA bull seye matc hes as we ll . T he 4 1/2" barre l and exce ll e nt recoil sys te m o f thi s pi s to l should prove to be equ all y competiti ve at 50 yard s as well as 25 yards.

If th e pl as ti c look o f th e pi sto l c re ates some do ubt as to the durability o f thi s pi sto l. 1-I amme rli o ffers a fi ve year g ua ra ntee o n fa ult y wo rkman s hip o r mate ri a ls fo r th e ca rbo n fib e r components, plus the stand a rd o ne yea r warranty on metal part s.

Durin g m y years a s a se ri o us U IT co mpetit o r, I a lways co nside red a good target pi sto l as one that I could take right o ut of th e box and w ith a minimum of adjustments. shoot it with good results in any match. For me, the 1-Iammerli 280 fits thi s descripti on.

1-Iammerli has used modern day techno logy to produce a state-of-the-art target pi s tol whi ch is indeed an o uts ta ndin g exampl e of Swiss engineering and quality. Thi s pi sto l w ill provide years o f pleas ur e and o ptimum pe rfo rman ce for marksmen and women at a ll ...... performance levels. '"°'

Th e remarkab le /-l a 111111 erli 280 is al'ailable j im11 Manda/I Shooting Supply. Call them (602) 945-2553 or write them ar 3616 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. AZ 8525 1 fo r more il(f'ormation and current prices.

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KNIFE AGAINST GUN: THE HARBOR PATROL INCIDENT

Situation: A psycho brings a knife to a gunfight and brutally stabs to death an armed police officer.

Lesson: Superior weaponry doesn't help if you're pathetically unaware of your surroundings.

Stuart Schwebel was not having one of his good days. Schwebel, 51, packed a stocky 1 75 pounds on his 5' 9" frame, but carried a lot

heavier baggage in his head. Released from California's Atascadero Mental Institution after being diagnosed as "no longer a threat to society," Schwebel was seethingly angry at the Marina del Ray Harbor Patrol. They had refused to tow a boat for him, and they'd had to tell him, sorry, it was a matter of policy.

Didn't they know they were dealing with a man who, a few years ago, had held police in the area at bay while firing some 50 shots into building and landscape with a 7. 62 mm rifle?

Did they think all those months at Atascadero had rendered him impotent to deal with those who dared to defy his will?

Well, Stuart would show Them. He snugged his folding hunting knife into the crossdraw ·scabbard on his left hip. They wouldn't let him have a gun anymore, but what impediment was that? Real men didn't need guns, and if they did, there was always one as close as the nearest cop you could catch . off guard. And if he could find that particular pig who'd said they couldn't tow the boat ...

At about the same time- 10:20 a.m., September 30,1979- Harbor Patrol officer Harold Edgington had parked his three-wheel traffic patrol motorcycle to check out a rental truck that was illegally parked. In his holster was his service revolver, a Smith & Wesson Combat Masterpiece .38 Special with Pachmayr grips. The holster, bought some months before, was a breakfront. It still looked new. Harold Edgington was not a man to beat his equipment to death with constant use .

A lawman who knew him well would say later, "Officer Edgington was friendly with all people, and he knew the people and that area of the marina well. However, in conversations that I had with him, he seemed to be complacent about the possibility of an incident happening to him. He seemed resistant to the possibility of being absorbed into the Sheriff's Department, and felt that trouble would happen to someone else. He stated on one occasion that he felt that his main duties were on the boats and that the law enforcement aspect of his job was secondary to the job of harbor patrolling and assisting boat owners."

Those recollections draw a picture of a man as comfortable as he looked- 55, six-one and 224 pounds- and complacent in a job he didn't see as having potential for violence.

Edgington wore no vest, carried no baton, practiced no survival tactics. A man who believed that "trouble would happen to someone else."

That attitude would, in moments, become his epitaph. The civilians see Stuart Schwebel before Officer Edgington does. Schwebel is hard

to miss. He is striding defiantly along the Via Marina, screaming dementedly at an airplane that passes over.

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The citi zens stare at him as they move to g i ve him w ide berth . A ngry at the stares, Schwebel 's unshaven face contorts insanely as he shrieks obscen ities at them and gestures menac ingly toward the big .folding hunter sheathed on his belt. · Suddenl y, th e madman turn s away from the faceless crowd. He has found a new focus fo r hi s rage. Seventy-five yards up Via Marina is a three-wheeled motorcycle with a big man seated on it, wearing the uni form of the Harbor Patrol. Well . i f it isn' t Mr. o Tow.

Schwebel moves in. One of the civilian bystanders, Melvin

Shap iro, is the first to put together what is happening. He is seated in his car in the parking lot at Panay Way and Via Marina when he observes Schwebe l , 75 yards from Edgington , draw and open his knife as he wa lks purposefully toward the Harbor Patrolman.

He can see that the dishevelled knife-

''You've got a gun, Use it!"

wielder is scream ing something, and that Officer Edgington, engrossed in writing his summons, is oblivious 10 the threat.

C iti zen Shapiro begi ns to fran ti ca lly lean on his horn in an effort to warn the officer of the deadly danger approaching from behind him.

But at fi rst. the harbor patrolman pays no heed. Slash ing the kni fe through the ai r as he walks, Schwebel is yelling as he advances. He is now 50 yards away and closing.

Either th e horn or th e mad man ' s shouted obscenities finally get the offi cer 's atten tion. He looks around and sees the scru ffy blade-man, who is pointing the kn ife at him and now begins to toss it back and forth , hand to hand , like an actor in West Side Story.

The distance has shrunk to 30 yards. As Edgington steps off the bike on the

side oppos ite Schwebel, the multiple witnesses see the officer look around as i f in confusion. It is their impress ion that he th inks the madman is yelling at someone else, and Edgington is look ing around to see who the man is angry at.

The sun glints off th e knife blade. Edgington's Model 15 still rests securely in its nearl y new hol ster. The distance is now I 0 or 15 feet. Schwebel steps around the front of the trike; there is now no phys ica l object between him and the target of hi s psychotic fury.

Knife In A Gunfight Schwebel is still screaming. Officer

Edgington looks behind him at one of the ci ti zens, Mrs. Virg inia London , as if to say, " Are you the one he ·s after? He can 't

PRODUCT WARNING RECALL OF SMITH & WESSON MAGAZINES ONLY

FOR .45ACP PISTOLS

It has come to our attention that a small number of users have experienced cart ridge feeding problems with Smith & Wesson magazines for .45ACP pistols. This can result in a fa ilure to feed or jamming, and thereby a failure to fire. The cause of this problem is the magazine.

This recall applies to two types of MAGAZINES ONLY: ---

(a) Magazines manufactured by Smith & Wesson for Pistol Model

8. Inspection Procedure for Magazines for Model 4516 and 4516-1 Pistols.

Any magazines shipped by Smith & Wesson with model 4516-1 pistols are already inscribed for use in that particular model and are not subject to this rl'call.

I . Remove the magazine from the firearm fo llowing the procedures set fo rth in the instruction manual. Before proceeding fur ther, you must insure that the pistol and

magazine are unloaded . Nos. 4506, 645 and 745. ,--------------. 2. Inspect each broad Oat (b) Magazines manufactured by Smith & Wesson for Pistol Model No. 4516.

Smith & Wesson requests that you inspect your caliber .45ACP magazine to deter-mine if it is subject to this recall. To determine if your magazine is affected, follow these simple inspection pro-cedures:

0

side o f the magazine. 1 f neither side is insc ri bed "For S&W M4516 only" or "For S&W M4516-l on ly", your magazine must be replaced.

To insure reliable fu nctioning of your Model 4516 or 4516-1 pisto l, the model

A . Inspection Procedure for Magazines for Model 4506, 645, or 745 Pistols.

number marked on a 7-round .45ACP magazine must be identical to all digits of the model number stamped on

~B_o_1_1o_m_V_ie_w ___ 11_1u_st_ra_t_io_n_O_n~• your pistol. Do not use a

I . Remove the magazine from the firearm following the procedures set fo rth in the instruction manual. Before proceeding further, you must insure that the pistol and magazine are unloaded.

Oa

Smith & Wesson magazine marked "M45 16 only" in a pistol stamped " MOD 4516-1 ". Do not use a Smith & Wesson magazine marked "M4516-I only" in a pistol stamped " MOD 4516" . WARNING: DO NOT USE O NE OF THESE RECALLED MAGAZIN ES IN

YOUR PISTOL FOR A SITUATION WHERE A FAILURE TO FIRE CAN BE CRITICAL, SUCH AS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OR PERSONAL PROTECTION. RETURN AFFECTED MAGAZINES TO SMITH&WESSO FOR FRE E REPLAC~ MENT.

2. Examine the butt plate of the magazine. If the butt plate is not molded plastic with a cresce n t-shaped cutout molded into the bottom near the front edge as depicted in illustration one, then the magazine is not affected by this recatt.lf the butt plate is molded plast ic and contains a crescentshaped cutout molded in to the bottom near the front To receive a free replacement edge as depicted in illustra- magazine under thi s reca ll , ti on one, proceed directly to send the magazine to be re-the next step. ...._S_id_e_V_1_·e_w ____ 11_1u_s1_ra_1i_o_n_T_w__,o placed directly to Smith &

Wesson, Attent ion: Magazine Exchange, 2100 Roosevel t Avenue, Springfield , MA Ot 102, or ca ll (toll free) 1-800-458-8469 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m ., E.S. T. You will need to provide the customer service representat ive with the model and se rial numbers of your pistol. We ask that a ll affected magazines be returned to Smith & Wesson in trade for the new magazines.

3. Carefully inspect each broad Oat side of the magazine near the plast ic butt plate. If a punch mark as depicted in illustration two is present above the butt plate on either side Of the magazine, your magazine is not affected by this recall. --

4. If, however, the punch mark depicted in illustration two is not present , your magazine must be replaced.

® Smith&Wesson

This toll free number can also be cal led if you have any questions concerning th is recall.

We regret any inconvenience thi s may cause; however, this action was dictated by our concern fo r the customer's safety and the reliability of Smith & Wesson products in all ci rcumstances.


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Th is combo cleaning ki t is complete for 22-45 ca liber handguns. It contai ns a Delrin• hand le and bore guide wi th a two-piece stain less steel rod. Also included are 22-45 caliber bronze brushes; 22-45 caliber brass jags; 22-45 caliber cotton swabs; cotton patches for 22-45 ca liber; a bottle of RIG #44 bore cleaner and a fire pin shield. Dimensions 1 V." x JY," x 7Y2"- jacket pocket size!

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Gun Shown -Witch Doctor Prototype

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Oglesby & Oglesby Gunmakers, Inc. R.R. #5 , Springfi eld , IL. 62707 (217) 487-7100 Fax: (217) 487-7980 ______ __,

mean 111e! .. M rs. London w ill say later that the express ion on the officcr·s face was .. bewildered.""

T he g lance towa rd M rs. Lo ndon is the fin al straw for Schwebe l. .. You heard me! Look at me! Look at me when I ' m ta lk ing to you!' "

Edg ington ·s hands move at last. but not to hi s serv ice revo l ve r. He rai ses them, pa lms fo rwa rd . toward the kni feman as i f in a pl acating gestu re.

' ' Yo u ·vc go t a gun . . , sc rea m s Schwebel disgusted ly ... Use it! You know how to use i t. don ' t you? 1"11 tell yo u what, you give it to me! /'II use ii. ··

Schwebel lunges. The witnesses see Officer Edgington 's

ri ght hand claw at last for the revolver. It w ill no t co me out of th e ho l ste r. He appears to be try ing to pull upward on it. as with a regul ar holster. Breakfronts are

Tissue parts beneath the keen edge of the blade. The officer's throat has been cut almost ear to ear.

Both the carotids are severed.

Blood spurts.

designed to 11 0 1 re lease the weapon to such an upward draw.

And the witnesses sec the blade of the fo ld ing kni fe sink into the po li ceman 's torso.

Now. at last, w it h a f in al desperate tug. the revo lver comes c lear. A sing le shot is f ired. It enters the madman ·s lower side above the hi p. The 158 grain Remington roundnosc lead bullet glances off the pe lvis and shatters. ex it ing the bu ttock w ithout doing any seri ous damage. Sc hwebe l i s l ess affec ted th an by a mosquito bite.

T he slas hin g fury of th e madman ·s attack dri ves the big harbor patro lman backward and down. The attacker rides him to the ground. struggles for a second, th en pull s th e b lu e stee l fou r - inc h revolver from the officer's hand.

Frenzied Killing The knife still slashes frenzied ly. tear

in g int o the office r 's face. Sc hwebe l grabs the bigger man·s head in hi s lef t hand, smas hes it to the pavement , and holds it back as his r ight hand deli vers a powerful slash to the throa t.

T issue parts beneath the keen edge of the blade. The officer's throat has been cut almost ear to ear. Both the carotids are severed. Blood spurt s.

Sitt ing astri de the helpless pol iceman. Schwebe l takes the kni fe in both hands


and plun ges it int o Ecl g in g to n 's so la r pl ex us. Unarm ed a nd he lpl ess to s top him . the c ivi li an witnesses watch in horror as the clcmcntccl killer. with a sawing move me nt , rip s ope n th e o ffi ce r 's abdomen clown to the belly button. · Th ey sec b loody loops of int es tin e spring forwa rd through the opening. The raging kni fe-man is now nearl y as blooclsoakcd as hi s almost motionless vi ctim .

It is no t e no ug h to sati s fy th e psy chopath' s bloodlust. He sink s th e knife into the prostrat e victim aga in . thi s time stabbin g into the left side. and tea rs sideways ac ross th e abdomen. c ross ing the first terrible rip.

Then , as s uclcl c nl y as it began . th e unpro voked attack is ove r. Sc hwebe l stands . breathin g heav il y from hi s exertion. the knife in hi s right hand and Edgin g to n ·s Smith & Wess on in hi s le ft. Metal c langs as he smashes one o r th e o th e r weapon again s t a me tal parkin g post, <L if to punctuate hi s savagery with a final exc lamation point.

And th e n, nonchalantl y, th e blood soaked killer wa lks away.

Copkiller At Large The first two responding o ffi cers were

Los Ange les Count y Sheriff's Deputi es A l Cohen and Dave Cowen. Both were into survival tra ining and such practi ces as carrying second weapons. They ' d been d ispatched aft er the radio cent er rece ived a flurry o r phone ca ll s from th e he lpless w itn esses . On e , a n unarm ed sec urit y guard from a nearby building, had call ed in from th e rad io on Edgington 's thrccwhceler.

They were greeted by the sight of the

And then, nonchalantly, the

blood-soaked killer walks away.

motionl ess, di semboweled brother officer lying in a pool of blood and intestines. They immedi ate ly rea li zed hi s ho lste r was empty: whoever they were after had a gun now as well as a knife.

Th ey knew th e re was no thin g they co ul d do fo r Edg ing ton. He was be in g tended by three of the many witnesses: a ph ys ic ian and a nurse who had been at a nearby racqu c tb a l I c lub. and Ii feg uard John Thomas , a friend of Harbor Patro lman Edg in gton, who had been within feet during the encount er but he lpless to interfere with an armed kill er.

The witness pointed th e direc ti on in which the auacker had fl ed. north up the beach. Rea li zing th at more backup woul d be up to I 0 minutes away. th e o ffi cers stayed together and began pursuit. C lose o n th e ir hee ls was Se rgea nt Ga ry Good ri ch. who had gunn ed hi s Harbor Patrol boat toward the marina as soon as


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he'd monitored the radio traffic. Schwebel had followed the beach for a

ways , then turned onto an access path . The officers raced to the foo tpath and emerged with Cohen behind the killer and Cowen in front of him.

De puty Co we n drew hi s se rv ice revo lver and yell ed , " Freeze! Drop the kni fe and ge t do wn o n th e ground !" Cowen could see that the kni fe was in Schwebel 's left hand , the revolver in the front of hi s waistband.

"F- k you, mother-kers," Schwebel spat back. "You know! Kill me! Kill me!''

Reali z in g he was abo ut to have to fir e a nd that th e oth e r de put y was behind the assa il ant. Cowen ye ll ed at hi s partner to step to the s ide. As he did so , Schwebel- now within 10 fee t and flippin g the knife hand to hand as he 'd done moments before attackin g Edging-

The running man stumbled as the

hornet's nest of police bullets buzzed around him.

ton- lunged forward . Cowen s ides tepped and Schwebe l 's

momentum carried him past the deputy. Hi s slas h mi ssed. A roadside pole was now between the two men.

Backing up, Cowen fired twice from the hip . One bulle t was fired with the oppo nent three ste ps a way, the oth er, nearl y within arm 's length.

Bo th unaim ed bull e ts mi ssed . Schwebel ran.

The officers pursued. The chase took th em acros s Admiralty Way and to a large fi e ld that presented a slope toward the road . On the other side o f the hill. the .deputies knew, were more he lpless v1ct1ms. As he ran , Schwebel drew the Smi th & Wesson from hi s belt with the ri ght hand .

. Simultaneously, the de puties recognized that an y course o f ac tion but one was hope less. A l Cohe n dove pron e , steadied his .38 with his weak hand, and carefully stroked off three shots double action. Each shot registered in hi s mind as the muzzle bucked.

Cowen fired one shot from offh and. then .dropped to a two-handed kneeling pos1t1on and triggered two more. He did not count hi s own shots and didn ' t even hear them, but hi s mind reg istered that three shots were fired from his partner 's gun as he himself was shooting.

On e hundred fort y fee t away , th e runnin g man stumbl ed as the hornet 's nes t of poli ce bull e ts bu zzed around him . Two of the .38 Spec ial slugs perfo-

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ra ted hi s torso . Bo th office rs wa tched as, in seeming slow mot ion, the suspect tottered a few steps more and then co l lapsed in the grass.

The deputies approached. j o ined by Sergeant Goodrich. who had joined the chase l ate and , bei ng sli ghtl y behind them , hadn 't fired beca use the deputies were in line w ith the suspect."

Cowen covered the prone form w ith hi s revo l ve r as Goodrich hand cuffed Schwebe l and Co hen g rabbed th e revo lver that lay onl y two inches from Schwebel 's outstretched hand. Break ing open the cy linder, they saw it was empty. Inex pli cabl y, the mad man had cl umped the fi ve Remington rounds and the spent cas ing near a picnic tabl e shortly after leav ing the initial confrontation scene.

The downed man's chest heaved a few times. Then there was a raspy gurgle and Stuart Schwebe l was tota ll y still. The copk iller died on the hill side abo ut the same time that Harbor Patrolman Harold Edgington was being pronounced dead.

Lessons If Harold Edgington had worn a vest.

which. whi le typ ica ll y not rated to stop knives , usuall y does defeat a bladethrust i f the wearer is backpeda l ling as the blow is delivered. he might have surv ived. But the vest was the least of it.

The attack began in an almost leisurely fash ion at a distance of two hundred twenty five feet.

Even if concentrating on another law enforcement task. Edgington had ample warnin g ( the rant ing of ~ he suspect and the blaring of w itness Shapiro 's horn ) when the suspect w ith the knife was still 150 feet away.

Even w ith the late appreciation of danger, the officer was clearl y unab le to recogni ze and dea l with an obv ious threat. Perhaps 90 feet separated the two when Edgington fina ll y did see Schwebel menac in g him w ith the kn ife. Thi s wo uld have been ample time to draw and deliver

The death of this officer . was one more grim

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hi s front-draw holster fata ll y delayed hi s response.

Edg ington ·s one bu I let struck the man in th e h ip , a nd a ny co mb at ha ndg un ro und worth y of the name sho ul d have sha tt e red th e pe lv is a n d drop ped Schwebel in hi s tracks.

While he would still have been c lose enough to harm the officer with hi s kni fe. it is mu ch mo re like ly th at Edg ington woul d have been ab le to di sengage and fire re pea t sho ts if necessa ry w ith o ut be ing seriously injured.

But the death of thi s offi cer was one more grim chapter in the widow- maker hi story of the 158 gra in roundn ose lead "police spec ial" bullet. The rounded projectil e was literall y hot lead, a lubri cant substance, and g lanced off the hip bone instead of break ing it.

A round like the +P semi wadcutte r ho llowpo int, in common use by Ameri can police fo r seven years prior to thi s inc ide nt, wo uld a lmost ce rta inl y have smashed Schwebe l 's pe lvis and large ly o r tota ll y ne ut ra li zed him . In stead , the o ld-s tyle bulle t me re ly c reated a fles h wound th at, if anythin g, further enraged the kill e r.

Cowen was amazed when he learned both his close-range shots had missed the suspec t. T hose w ho in vest iga te such shootings are less surprised. Unaimed hip shooting o r point shoot ing seldom connects w ith a mov ing opponent even at very c lose range unless the shooter is as cool and practiced as Bill Jordan.

Both of the LA deputies ex perienced tachypsychia, the sensation of the action go ing into slow mot ion at the moment of truth . Often misspelled or spoken of as a catch-all term for all the phys io-psycholog ica l and psycho-phys io log ica l pheno mena th a t affec t pe rsons in v io lent encounte rs , tac hypsychi a is a spec ific phenomenon, the d istortion of perceived time. It is ex peri enced by a majori ty of shootout participants.

Very few gunfi ght survivors are able to reca ll exactl y how many shots they fi red o nce it goes past three o r fo ur rounds. Al Cohen was unusuall y coo l in keeping track of the three .38 Specials he unl eashed in the fi nal encounter.

Dave Cowen was perhaps more typ ical. When you are intentionall y fir ing you will typically lose count and, often. your mind will not reg ister the concuss ion of yo ur shots. Because gunfi re fro m e lsewhere is more threa tenin g, I ' ve fo un d th at parti c ipants can keep track of other men's gunfire in perhaps 50% of typical shootouts.

At the end, the deputies handled the ir weapons very well with deliberate, aimed fi re at a runnin g man nea rl y 50 ya rds away, hitting him twice out of six shots. Cohen reca ll s us in g a very de li be ra te, almost slow motion doubl e tr igger pull. like a PPC match shooter.

Their 331/Jo/o hit potential at a di stance Continued on page 112


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Continued from page 110 nearly twice that of the farthes t moving target at the difficult Bianchi Cup compares superbly to a national average of 25 % hits with double action revolvers in police gunfights at much closer ranges.

This "fleeing felon" shooting predated the cornerstone Supreme Court case on that issue, Garner v. Tennessee, by some five years. Garn.er limits deadly force appl ied to fleeing fe lons to situations where the suspect's continued freedom presents a clear and present danger to innocent human life. The killing of Schwebel by the deputies would be as justified today as it was in 1979, under the same circumstances.

indeed, the circumstances fit the much more rigid s ix cr iteria taught at Lethal Force Institute for fleeing fe lon shootings. As the district attorney 's office stated after inv est igati ng the shootin g, "Because Mr. Schwebel represented a c lear and present danger, both to the deputies and to the citizens in the area, his immediate apprehension was imperative. The only viable option left to the deputies was to shoot Mr. Schwebel."

Deputies Cohen and Cowen both exhib ited limited post shooting trauma symptoms, including apprehension and anxiety, and over-reaction to loud noises. Both returned to duty and recovered fully. As a result of this shooting, LA Sheriff's Office recommended a three to five day " settling period" of paid leave for all deputies involved in shootings.

The investigation of this shooting , which was done by such top experts as Lt. John Kolman and Lt. Ron Black, showed many learning points. In 1984,, a film was produced under the auspices of LA County Sheriff Sherman Block and Motorola Teleprograms, Inc., of Northbrook, Illinois.

Titled Officer Survival Part 5: Stabbing, it viv idl y and authentical ly reenacts the murder of Officer Edgington , and in a second enactment, shows how the situation might have been handled better.

The second officer maneuvers to put "Schwebel" on the other side of the traffic trike, and when the attacker tries to breach the obstacle, empties a .38 into his torso and puts him down.

The film points out that lack of awareness , unfamiliarity with one's eq uipment, and unwillingness to come to terms with the use of deadly force when necessary, are all potential death traps for Good Guys.

I strong ly recommend MTl/LASO's Officer Survival Part 5: Stabbing to all police personnel , and because it divulges no proprietary law enforcement procedure, I also share it with armed citizens in LFI-I classes.

Combat Mind Set From Wyatt Earp to Jeff Cooper, mas

C ontin ued on page 114

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=~=::;;;;;;;;;;;;I more. 81h x 11 , hardcover. 269 photos, ill us .. 248 pp $39.95

KNIVES. KNIFE FIGHTING, &RELATED

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T

t-iOw to E r ase BDdCred1t

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KNIVES, KNIFE FIGHTING, AND RELATED HASSLES

Ho w To Survi\le a Real knife Fighl by Marc "Animal" Mac Young

Knife fighting is ugly business, so you 'd better kno w what you ' re doing if you ever find yourself in one. This book wi ll show you the down -and -di rt y reality o f kn ife fig hting , from choosing the best knife to devious stree t t ri cks comm only used to get the first strike in. 51h x 81h, softcover, photos, illus .. 128 pp. $12.00

C REDIT SECRETS How To Erase Bad Credit

by Bob Hammond Solve you r financial problems once and for all! These proven methods show how to el imi nate debts and establish a perfect c redit rating. Discover the inside tricks used by lawyers and professional cred it consul tants with this easy-to- follow program. 5 1h x 8 'h, softcover. 80 pp.

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PAYBACK! Adunced Backst<11bbing .and

Mudslinging Techniques by GPor~P 1-laydukP

The "Dirty Ha rry of Llterat1, " aka George Hayduke . strikes again with another deadly shot ol re venge Get back at l1fe"s bullies. bad guys and bureauc racies w1 \h these tea r-1erk1ng !ldb1ts ol do-1tyou rself lerronsm For entertainment pu rposes on ly 5 1.? x 8 ''1 , hardcover. 196 pp $17.95

TO RIDE, SHOOT STRAIGHT AND SPEAK THE TRUTH

by Jeff Cooper Combat mind-set. proper sig hting, tac t ical residential arc hitecture. nuclear war - these are some of the rr.any sub1ects exp lored by Jeff Cooper in this illustrated anthology. The author also discusses various arms, fighting skills and the importance of knowing how to defend oneself. and one's honor. m ou r rapidly changing world . 51h x 81h, hardcover. illus .. 384 pp. $26.00

Thi · ll:ntl11'-1 ·Si l1 ·m ·1· r

. litm'-

--Th<--

RUQl!R .22 AUTOMATIC PISTOL

DUNCAN LOrtG

SMART BOMBS Improvised Se nsory De lonalio n

Techniques and Advanced Weapons Systems

by Lawrence W Myers This practica l fi eld guide provides the covert operator wi th c reative methods fo r bui lding bombs and design cri teria that reduce the risk o f detec tion . For in formation purposes only. 51h x 81h, so ftcover. 11 2 pp. $12.00

GET EVEN: The Comple te Book of Dirly Tricks A hi lari ous overview of the methods people use to get even with big business. governmen t and enemies. t-..Ao re soph1st1cated and involved tricks are included . such as ones devised by CIA and Mafia members and poltt1cal dirty tncksters. Over 80 sections presen t dirty tnck5rang1ng from the simple to the elaborate. For entertainment only! 51h x 81h. hard cover. 192 pp $17.95

THE HAYDUKE SILENCER BOOK Quick and Dirty

Home made Sile ncers by George Haydukc

Learn how to make firearm silence rs from common items found around the house. George Hayduke. the Master o f Revenge. will show you how! Enter the world of muff led mayhem wi th these simple, eff ective and legal silencer designs For in formation purposes only. 51h x 81h, so ftcover, photos. illus .. BO pp . $10.00

THE RUGER .22 AUTOMATIC PISTOi. SlaOO.rd/ M•lic l/ Molic II Series

by Duncan Long Here is the definitive book about the pistol that has served more than a million owners so well. Exploded diagrams show how to field-strip and reassemble with a minimum of fuss, and photo$ illustrate variations, modifications and accessories fo r one of the most popular .22 automatics ever made. 51h x 81h, softcover, photos, illus., 168 pp.

$12.00

r--------------------~

t PALADIN PRESS ~ Call TOLL FREE for credit ca rd orde rs:

l P.O. BOX 1307- 0CA ...... 1·800-642·8300, exl.24. Ca ll 24 hours a I day, 7 days a week. Call from any state

BOULDER, CO 80306 ~ butAlaska.Send$1.00lor50·page CATA· Jlilll. PHONE (303) 443-7250 lWiil] LOG of 300 titles !FREE w ith o rder.)

Please send me the following titles:

Payment: 0 Check or Money Order, 0 Visa,

Ca rd No. -------------- Exp. __ _

NAME __________________ _

ADDRESS---------------~

0 Mastercard

SU BTOTAL Please include $3.50 postage and handling __ _

CITY STATE --- ZIP TOTAL ---

L - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -~

Jim Garthwaite --PISTOLSMITH--Route 2 • Box 310 • Watsontown, PA 17777

(717) 538-1566

Member American Pfstolsmlth Guild

114

$12.95 + $3.00 postage & handling Mich. residents + 4% sales tax

BOB KRIEGER, INC. Master Gunsmith

2271 Star Court, Rochester Hills, Ml 48309 313 853-6171

JIM HOAG CUSTOM PISTOLSMITH 8523 CANOGA AVE. UNIT C CANOGA PARK, CA 91304

(818) 998-1510

Continuedji·om page 112 ters of the combat handgun have po inted out that qui ck draw and shooting skill s are mean ing less if not accom panied by alertness and awareness.

Eve n whe n face to face w ith Schwebel, Edg ington apparentl y did not recognize him as the man who had prev iously complained to him about not providing a boat tow. Edg ington had a lso been at the scene fo ur years earli er of Schwebel 's ri fle rampage that had earned him seventeen months at Atascadero, but did not appear to recogni ze the man or the threat.

Harold Edgington was the quintessential Officer Friendly. So are a great many other poli ce officers who also prac ti ce survival skill s. You don ' t need to be an abrasive SOB to stay ali ve; it suffices to be an Officer Friendly who reali zes that at any time, a psychopathic killer with a grudge against society may wish to take that anger out upon the nearest uniformed poli ceman, who is the very embodiment of that society and its powers.

Harold Edgington, a good man, obviously never came to terms with that fact of hi s profess ion- and he died for it.

The Harbor Patrol was subsequently absorbed in to the Sheri ff's Department, where perso nnel shared the ge nera ll y excellent training that has made LASO a " teaching department," and were issued hi gh ve loc ity holl ow point .38 Spec ia l ammo and , more rece ntly, a ll owed to ca rr y Be re tt a 9 mm hi g h ca pac it y autoloaders with hollow po in t ...... ammunition. "

The author wish.es to com.mend Lt . John Kolman and the excellent staff thar investigated and analyzed th.is incident, and identified many learning points to help keep other officers alive in similar circumstances . Particular thanks go to Lt. John Carton fo r sharing his insights in.to the p ersonality of his friend Harold Edg ing to n. , a good man who died so needlessly.

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Go back in time and reli ve history of the long cattledrives and gunfights of the 1800's.

When ordering by mail: Specify waist size, gun make, bbl. length & caliber. Texas residents add Sales Tar. Add $4.00 shipping & handling. Dealers please Only $7 4.95. ~i:~r;3.oo tor Satisfaction catalog. r guaranteed.

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PISTOLSMITH WANTED Now accepting Resumes for full time position. Must be trained in all phases of Colt and S & W revolver repair Custom revolver experience and some auto repair experience desirable. Will train for auto custom work. Resumes Only - NO PHONE CALLS. Must be willing to relocate.

~ ~

Cylinder & Slide, Inc. P 0 Box 937 Fremont, NE 68025

TYLER'S "T" GRIP BET TE R SHOOT INGiillillllllllil•liiii w i th th i s imp roved cos t Al umi num Gr ip ADAPTOR. For Co lt, S & W ond Ruger D.A. Revolvers. DURABLE , PRAC· TICAL- EA SY TO INSTALL . THRE E ATTRACTI VE FINISH CO LOR S. POLISHED or BLACK $7.00; GOLD $7 .50

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P.O. Box 258, Dept. 0 , Clarkesville, GA 30523 (404) 754-9000


HANDGUN MARKET

(:IJJ\SSil7ll~ll

ACCESSORIES

Concealed Weapon License Identification Badge. Finest quality, made to order with your license number. Catalog Free. Seven Seas, POB 3906, Dept. 45, Apollo Beach, FL 33570. Ph. 813-645-2621.

Revolving steel targets, freestanding, collapsible, Magnum Handguns, Non magnum Rifles, windproof paper target holders. Free Brochure. Engard Distributing Inc. , 1930 E. Indian School, Phoenix, Arizona 85016 (605)264-3424.

BOWLERS OLYMPIC GRIPS, Custom made anatomical grips in walnut, individually carved by experts to YOUR hand print. Not just small. medium or large. Exported to over 30 countries. Give your shooting a chance - don't be held back by an ill-fitting grip. Send for enlarged model list to: BOW -LERS OLYMPIC GRIPS, Dept. A.H. , The Post Office, Little Bytham, Lincolnshire, N.G.33. 4.Q.J. Eng!and.'The best of British."

ONCE-FIRED BRASS- pistol & rifle. New also. Licensed exporter. Send SASE for price list. Cheyenne Brass, PO Box 5254, Cheyenne, WY 82009 (307-634-8072).

A.M.T . . 22 MAGNUM OWNERS. WE NOW HA VE A MAGAZINE LOADER FOR THIS AUTO. SEND $4.95 PLUS $.85(cents) S & H TO: CLIP-LOADER INC., 5906 S.E. LLOYD ST., MILWAUKIE, OR97222.

CLIP-LOADERS FOR .22 CAL RUGER MK! & 2, HUNTSMANS, WOODSMAN, CHALLENGER, HIGH STANDARD, BUCKMARK & LIGHTNING, ALSO A LOADER FORS & W 4 v,22. SEND $3.50 PLUS $ 85(cents) S & H TO: CLIPLOADER INC., 5906 S.E. LLOYD ST , MILWAUKIE, OR 97222.

"MUGGED?" Obtain concealed weapons in your state while you still can! Send SASE: Weapons, 8270 SW Sorrento, Beaverton, OR 97005.

UNIQUE GUNS, KNIVES, AMMO, LOADS OF FREE OFFERS FAST, JUST $1 TO: R. CROWLEY 2640 N. CASTRO, TUCSON, AZ85705.

NEW! PRO-TARGET HAS ARRIVED. PORTABLE, LIGHTWEIGHT PRECISION TARGET, STANDS WITH FOAMCORE BACKBOARDS. PRO-I 4' TALL $69.95, PRO-II 6.5' TALL $89.95. MCNISA, FACTORY DIRECT + $5.95 SIH, FREE INFO. PRO-TARGET, P 0 BOX 455AH, MONTCLAIR, CA 91763.

ARMOR VAULT GUN VAULTS buy direct from mfg. call or write for free brochure 405-634-2841. 729 S.E. 29th, Okla. City. Okla. 73129.

GUN OWNERS -Save $$$ by building your own custom gun cabinet. Complete Plans $5.95: D.J. AYERS, 179 Hoffman Avenue, Elmont, NY 11003.

Custom gun plating, bluing, hard chrome nickel in various finishes. Call or write for prices. PJ's Plating, Rt. 4, Box 135-B, Huntsville, AR 72740, 501-545-3485.

CUSTOM P ORTABLE RELOADING BE NCH, R IF LE VISE OR SHOOTER'S TABLE. SIMPLE CONSTRUCTION. PLANS $6.95 EACH; 2 FOR $12.95; ALL 3 FOR $17.95. RP. TUTTLE, 383 BOSTON POST RD. , AMHERST, N.H.03031.

OWN THE FINEST WOODEN GUN CASE! Custom made to your exact specifications. Send for free information or tell us what you need for special quotation. HUFA Crafts, Inc., P.O. Box 597048H, Chicago, IL 60659-7048.

Moving target systems. Reciprocating, horiwntal , 15' travel. Sets - up anywhere in minutes. Free details, send stamped envelope to: Euco Welding, 1315 Middlebury St., Elkhart, IN 46516.

EXTERIOR BALLISTICS SOFTWARE for IBM compatible, computes bullet path, wind correction, and recoil, built-in ballistic coefficient table. On 5- 1/ 4" or 3-'1'2'' diskettes. Send $59.95 + $4.50 S&H to: VIKING ENTERPRISES, DEPT. E, BOX 89221 , SIOUX FALLS, SD 57107. VISA & MC phone (605)361-1613.

GUNSMITHS, RELOADERS, ARBO Brass and Steel pin punches . Special Brass and Nylon Mallet, acces.50ries . Thousands in use. Dealers welcome. Free information; Write; ARBO Precision, 1661 S. Walnut, Broken Arrow, OK 74012.

Genuine Mother of Pearl handcrafted gun grips. 45 Auto-$90, colt 380 Govt-$70, Colt Mustang-$50.00, S&W JRB-$80, Colt SA-$99, etc. Exotic wood presentation grips in black ebony or mottled ebony with red, green & black colors in regular grips or finger position for Colt 45 Auto, S&W 59, J ,K,N, frames, blackhawk, Super blackhawk, Colt SA, etc. Blanks for Bisley and Casull 454. Also Available in black or white buffalo horn.

:'~$if ug;~i~~2 ~~~~rre~'1)n1NA~E~01EN!&'it PRISES, 545 N. Hoover Ave. Suite 2, Los Angeles, CA 90004 Ph (213)663-8200.

Classified ads $.75 per word per insertion. ($.60 per word-per insertion for 3 or more) including name and address (20 word minimum). Minimum charge $15.00. Copy and rerun orders must be accompanied by PAYMENT IN ADVANCE. NO AGENCY DISCOUNTS. All ads must be received with advance payment no later than the 25th of each month. EXAMPLE : Closing for May/ Jun 1990 issue (on sale Apr. 5) is JAN. 25th. Ads received after closing will appear in the following issue. Please type or print clearly. Include name, address, post office, zip code, city and state as counted words . Abbreviations count as one word each. PLEASE NOTE*** NO PROOFS WILL BE FURNISHED. Mail to AMERICAN HANDGUNNER MAGAZINE, 591 Camino de la Reina.Suite 200, San Diego, California 92108. WATCH FOR OUR NEW RATE CARD. WE WILL ALSO BE PROVIDING DISPLAY CLASSIFIED ADS.

AMMUNITION

.38 SPECIAL RELOADED AMMUNITION- Remanufactured using fully automated equ ipment. 158 gr . SWC $87.00M-148 gr. WC $85.00M. reloading since 1974. MPS Co., 1441 W.JohnSt., Matthews, NC 28105. (704)847-8793.

A'ITENTION SHOOTERS X-RING P RECISION CASTING COMP ANY has extremely hard cast bullets in 9mm, 38/ 357, .44 and .45; We also stock professionally remanufactured ammunition in 9m.m, .38 special , .357 magnum, .44 magnum, .45 acp and .223 Remington with lead or jacketed bullets. For more information call or write: P.O. Box 1357, Sedona, Arizona 86336 (602)282-1499.

TRACERS, reload your own (as described in the Dec. issue of SOLDIER OF FORTUNE.) Military type, red, green, white or amber burning tracer, any caliber. Step by step instructions. Includes detai led drawings, bullet preparation, reloading instructions, $5.00: T. Tyler, Box 2700H, Dept. SOF, Huntington Beach, CA 9264 7.

SPECIAL PURPOSE AMMO AND MUNITIONS. Reload your own: Tracers , A.P., H.E. ammo, 12 Ga. Flares, Thermite/ Smoke Grenades and many others. SASE for Free list. T. Tyler, Box 2700H, Dept SOF, Huntington Beach, CA 9264 7.

Ace Ammo, Quality reloads, 38 spec- $4.50, box/50, 45 ACP $7 box/50. We can load your brass. 1-800-833-2400, California 1-916-221 -1952.

MAGNUM PISTOL POWDER - Ideal for 357, 41 , 44, 410, 30 Carbine, prepaid first 48 states, 1 lb I $6.50, 4 lb I $24.00, 8 lb $46.00, 16 lb I $88.00, 32 lb I $160.00. Glen's Components, Suite 265, 2899 East Big Beaver, Troy, Michigan 48084.

FREE DISCOUNT AMMUNITION CATALOG. Save up to 50% on new, obsolete, military, rimfire, centerfire, shotshell and accessories. Atlanta Discount Ammo, Dept. 0, Box 627, Norcross, GA 30091. (404)446-2429.

ST ERLING SILVE R JACKETED BULLETS! Reload these beauties or case them with your best presentation guns. SASE for information ... Creative Cartridge, Dept. HC, 56 Morgan, Canton, CT 06019.

Swaged lead bullets with Gas-Checks, for Autoloading Pistols & Revolvers. Reconditioned brass .38 Special nickel $4.00 for 50 rounds. Write for information about lead bullets with gasChecks, plus pistol brass information. Mideastern Co. , InG. , 486-14th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215.

SPECIAL PURPOSE AMMUNITION: BEEHIVE. MULTIPLEX, tracers, bird bombs. Send $1.00 for catalog to: HORIZONS UNLIMITED, 9208 Kingston Pike # 195, Dept. AH, Knoxville, TN 37922.

HARD CAST BULLETS. Prices INCLUDE SHIPPING. Per 100: 38 158 SWC $5.75, 45 200 SWC $6.25, 9mm 125 RN $5.00. Per 500: 38 158 SWC $18.75, 45 200 SWC $21.25, 9mm 125 RN $16.25. Clark's Quality Bullets, Inc., Dept. 33, PO Box 436, Spring Mount, PA 194 78.

BOOKS

STATE PISTOL LAWS, latest pistol carrying, purchasing, etc. , regulations for all states and FEDERAL GUN LAWS. Both booklets $6.00. POLICE EQUIPMENT CATALOG $6.00. Schlesinger , Department E., P.O. Box 882, New York, NY 10150.

OUT-OF-PRINT Books Found. Send Wants. LARGE CATALOGUE $1.00; Booklook, 51AC Maple Ave., Warwick, N.Y. 10990.

SHOOT A HANDGUN reveals the expert's way to use your handguns safely, effectively and within the law. Learn how and where to shoot, firearms responsibility, what ammunition to purchase, and more. Special chapter on defensive pistol shooting, plus a glossary of handgun terms. Only $10.95 postpaid. (CA Residents a dd 7% sales tax ) GUN BOOKS, Dept.SH-H03, 591 Camino de la Reina, Suite 200, San Diego, CA92108.

SHOOTING by Edward Matunas. Learn how to become an expert marksman with rifle , shotgun, handgun, muzzleloader and bow. You'll get tips on selecting the proper weapon and accessories, and be provided with a detailed course in ballistics. For your copy, send $33.45 postpaid (CA Residents add 7% sales tax) to: GUNS BOOKS, Dept. SG-H03, 591 Camino de la Reina, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92108.

MASTER TIPS By Jon Winokur The best shooters in the business teach you step-by-step mastery of the techniques that made them winners. For your copy, Send $13.45 Postpaid (CA Residents add 7% sales tax) to: GUNS BOOKS, Dept. MTH03, 591 Camino de la Reina, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92108.

B;"F!REARM LAWS" DON'T END UP BREAKING A LAW YOU WEREN'T AWARE OF!! BE SMART AND LEARN YOUR LAWS! COMLPLETE 250-PAGES ALL 50 STATES INCLUDING LOCAL ORDINANCES $19.95-"INFORMATION INTERNATIONAL", 5 WELSTEAD PLACE, DEPT-22,ROCHESTER, NY 14613.

SHERWOOD'S CATALOG OF GUN PARTS, ACCESSORIES, AMMUNITION, GOVERNMENT SURPLUS AND MUCH MORE. WHEN IN LOS ANGELES AREA, VISIT 0UR4,000SQ. FT. SHOWROOM. SEND $1TO:18714 PARTHENIA STREET, NORTHRIDGE, CA 91324.

9MM Pistol, Shotgun .. 308 Carbine, Ballistic knife , Silencers ... Make for under $25 each. Easy plans $10 each ... All for $25.00: Moss, Box 2422, Smyrna, GA 30081.

Gun Silencers/Noise suppressor. Complete how to booklet: Five easy steps to complete information on Silencers and suppressors. Plans, Diagrams, Specification and Sources . Just send $19.95 to: Diamond Distributors, P.O. Box 991 , Honolulu, Hawaii 96808.

NEW CATALOG every two months! New books on weaponry, revenge and dozens of other subjects! Send $1.00 for 50-page catalog describing over 300 titles. PALADIN PRESS, P.O. Box 1307-9GAT, Boulder, Colorado 80306.

RAGNAR'S GUIDE TO HOME AND RECREATIONAL USE OF HIGH EXPLOSIVES-- By Ragnar Benson. How to obtain commercial high explosives, safely storing and transporting them, detonation techniques, improvised explosives and more. For informational purJX>ses only.5-l;'.zx8-I;2, soft.cover, 120pp. Send $15.50 postpaid to: PALADIN PRESS, P.O. Box 1307-9GAK, Boulder, CO 80306.

HOW TO QUIT SMOKING, for good! the only method that will work. BOOKLET, $3.00. ACA Books, 3226-A Laurelhurst Drive, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670.

''THE ANARCHIST COOKBOOK" IS AVAILABLE AGAIN! ~~~9J"'stpaid. Barricade Books, BOx 1401.J , Secaucus, NJ

POKER BOOKS: FREE:"1'EN WINNING TIPS" by poker professional Andy Nelson. Become a BIG winner! Send SASE to IMPACT, Box 12356, Boulder, CO 80303.

FREE P ELLET SAMPLER WITH NEW SUBSCRIP TION! Five issues, $15 yearly, sample copy $5.00 P&H included. American Airgunner, Box 711C, Comanche, Texas 76442, (915)356-5065. Visa/Mastercard.

"ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF PERSONAL COMBAT'' -- New Book must be studied by everyone concerned with selfprotection, with/without weapons ' $15 GUARANTEED! Bradley Steiner, Box 1278-AH, Seattle, Washington 98111.

Debtor's Survival Manual - 100 pages of credit and debt survival knowledge plus legal tactics. Includes case history of successful law suits against creditors/collection agencies. $19.99. Sunrise, Box 1516, Muskogee, OK 74402.

BOTE'S NEW HANDGUN BUYERS GUIDE FOR 1990, over 450 models, over 1500 variations, INCLUDES DISCOUNT PRICES from gun shows, Only $11.95 postpaid! (Texas residents add appropriate sales tax ). Cheyenne Press, P.O. Box 721318, Houston, Texas 77272-1318.

THE TERRIFYING THREE: Uzi, Ingram, and Intratec Weapons Families- get the straight story from Duncan Long. 8- 1hxll, softcover, 136pp, $23.50ppd. Order from: Paladin Press, P.O. Box 1307-0AAK, Boulder, Co lorado 80306. (303)443-7250.

World's best gun book catalogue! Only $2.00, refundable with ~~~z~.· Blacksmith Corporation, Box l 752S, Chino Valley,

How to start and operate your own import-export business at home. Make and save $12.95 to: FORTUNES UNLIMITED, P.O. Box 1442, Welcome, NC 27374-1442.

NEW! ACTION Digest: The magazine that offers unique, specialized information other publications wi ll not print."Howto" information on guns, self-defense, survival , exotic weapons, shooting, military history/science, adventure and much more! subscriptions 1 year (4 issues) $12. J. FLORES Publications, Box 163001-P, Miami, FL33116, (305)559-4652.

PIPES, TOBACCO, CIGARS, ACCESSORIES. Over 50,000 pipes in stock. FREE 32 page color catalog. Call Carey's Smokeshop Toll Free 1-800-00BRIAR.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

LEARN GOLD , SILVER, PLATINUM, SCRAP RECYCLING BUSINESS. $75,000 YEAR POSSIBLE. SPARE TIME. EASY! FREE INFORMATION: RECYCLING, BOX 11216-GH, RENO, NV 89510-1216.

AMERICAN HANDGUNNER • MARCH/ APRIL l 990 115

EXPERIENCED SALES REPS WANTED FOR EXPANDING HOLSTER COMPANY. TOP COMMISSIONS FOR AMBITIOUS INDIVIDUAL. REPLY TO: FURY HOLSTERS REPS, 1915-18TH STREET, NIAGARA FALLS, NY 14305.

JOURNEYMAN CREDENTIALS granted legitimate! Write: National Craftsman Union, 210 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1102, New York, NY 10010.

~ MAKE MONEY" GET A FEDERAL FIREARMS LICENSE!!! START AN EXCITING AND PROFITABLE BUSINESS OF YOUR OWN!"GET DEALERS MAKE MONEY" COMPLETE INFORMATION, OFFICIAL FORMS, STEP BY STEP FOR SUCCESS!"GUARANTEED" $7.95-"INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CONCEPTS", 5 WELSTEAD PLACE, DEPT-18, ROCHESTER, NY 14613.

INVESTIGATION - SECURITY MONEYMAKING OPPORTUNITIES: Beginners and professionals needed. Newsletter/Directory $2.00."National License Guidebook" $14.95. POB 6303(AH), Corpus Christi, Texas 78466.

ANYONE CAN BECOME A FIREARMS DEALER! complete kit includes: FORMS, LICENSING, BATF INSTRUCTIONS, WHOLESALE REFERENCES. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO START YOUR OWN SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS. LICENSE GUARANTEED OR REFUND! $4.75: DENCO ENTERPRISES, PO BOX 40383-AH, ROCHESTER, NY 14604.

FEDERAL FIREARMS LICENSE APPLICATION KIT in· eludes application instructions, gun manufacturer list, legal advice, reference catalog. FFL GUARANrEED OR REFUND. $1.00 Postpaid. ISGO-AH03, POB 24490, San Diego, CA92124.

Power Earnings! $400.00 daily wholesaling automobiles without investment! All new, NO GIMMICKST Details $2.00: SMITH, Box 2085, Titusville, FL 32781.

A NEW IDEA! Call National Idea CenterofWashingUin D.C. free info - 1-800-247-6600, Ext 124. Come see the Invention Store!!

GUN DEALER LICENSING -(805)687-1416. Visa MIC. No"Rip-Ofl". Call Us. We Answer All Your Questions. Best FFL Kits, $5.00. Dealer &cord Books & Supplies. RK ENTERPRISES, (Established 1981), 2616 Las Positas, Santa Barbara, CA 93105.

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Suocessful and expanding British Shooting magazine seeks devel<.~pment capital for major laWlch in USA. Equity available. Call 01144 494 432151, (Fax 01144 494 727454).

Free Sample. Miracle Polishing Cloth. Dynamite demonstrator. 577% profit. R&S, Dept. AH, 1312 WashingUin, St. Louis, MO 63103. (314)241-8464.

BECOME A GUN DEALER -Professionally Prepared kit in-

c~\1ER=~!u~:v~~8'l• ~T~as~of.;:J~: GUARANTEED! $4.95: BUSINESS CONSVLTANTS, P.O. Box 1232-H, Uniontown, PA 15401.

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LICENSED FIREARMS DEALER Application Kit. $1.00. Interstate Enterprises, Drawer 19689-AH, Houston, TX 77224.

READ BOOKS for pay! $100 a title. Write: PAASE, SL 7, 161 Lincoln Way, North Aurora, IL 60542.

LET THE GOVERNMENT FINANCE your new or existing small business. Grantslloans to $500,000 yearly. Free recorded message: 707-448-0270. (JR3).

COLLECTORS

RANDALL PISTOL RESEARCH, Trends, and Letters of Authenticity. Send for more information. Rick Kennerknecht, Box 1163R, Monrovia, CA 91016-5163.

EMBLEMS & INSIGNIA

CUSTOM EMBROIDERED EMBLEMS-DECALS-PINS. Free catalog/Quotes. Highest Quality. Guaranteed Lowest Prices. Rusli Sketch. STADRIAH, 61 Jane Street. N.Y.C. 10014. (212)929-2293.

116

GUNS HATS! Show your friends that you're a GUNS Team Member. Each hat features: Bright orange logo, sand colored cap;r_lyester front/Mesh back. Only $5.95 + 7% sales tax for Cali . Residents. Send to: GUNS HATS, 591 Cammo de la Reina, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92108.

Also available ... GUNS Team member pins and patches. Now, you can also get your own GUNS Team member pin for only $2.50 + $1.00 shipping & handling ... Or, a GUNS Team member patch for only $3.50 + $1.00 shipping & Handling. Send To: GUNS PINS, 591 Camino de la Reina, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92108.

Caps, Jackets, T-Shirts and more custom printed with your design. High quality, low prices, free brochure! Prices. Clement Distributing, Dept. AHG, 7468 Clement Rd, Vacaville, CA 95688. (707)447-4604.

FIREWORKS

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CHERRYBOMBS, M-70s, M-90s, M-lOOs, BUSSBOMBS, CANNON & TIME FUSE, PULL L& ELECTRIC IGNITERS,L STARS W'TO 1", FIREWORK CHEMICALS, ETC. CATALOGUE $5. REFUNDABLE !ST ORDER. CAPITOL FIREWORKS, 1805 WEST MONROE, SPRINGFIELD, IL 62704.

FIREWORKS: Firecrackers, Bottle Rockets, Roman Candles, Sky Rockets, and much more. For Wholesale price list send $1.00: Klassic Fireworks, P.O. Box 142, Middlefield, Conn. 06455-0142.

FIREWORKS, COLORED SMOKE DYES, ROCKET CAST· ING, CANNON FUSES,etc. for signaling or survival applications. Catalog $1.00. NorStarr, Box 5585, Pocatello, Idaho 83202.

FffiECRACKERS, 80/16's $6.00 BRICK, BOTTLE ROCKETS GROSS $2.50, ROMAN CANDLES 10 BALL $4.50 DOZEN, JUMPING JACKS $2.00 GROSS, ONLY SOME OF OUR SAMPLE PRICES. ALL PRE-PAID. NIGHT AERIAL SHELLS, 61 SHOT REPEATERS, SKY ROCKETS, AND MANY MORE ITEMS TOO NUMEROUS TO MENTION HERE. MANY NEW AND UN-USUAL ITEMS. ALL CAN BE SEEN IN OUR COLORFUL ILLUSTRATED CATALOG BY SENDING $1.00 TO: A&W SALES, P 0. BOX 1, MUNCY, PA 17756. B; offer void where prohibited.

FIREWORKS-Looking for information? All kinds of technical reports and manufacture manuals available. Send $.25 for complete listing. RSA, Box 146, Willow Grove, PA 19090.

Fireworks from China. Buy from importer and save big. For FREE GIFT and illustrated catalog, send $2.00: China Importers, Box 34 7212, Parma, Ohio 44134.

Cannon Fuse Cutting Device. Manually cuts 7 ,200 fuses or more per hour. $29.95. Cutter, P.O. Box 5733, Kent, WA 98064-5733.

JULY 4TH MEMORABILIA: Wanted by collector; firecracker packs, labels, etc. (1850-1967) Robert J. Scheurer, 1 Milburn Rd., RD#3, Goshen, N.Y. 10924.

FOR SALE

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IS IT TRUE YOU CAN BUY JEEPS FOR $44 THROUGH THE U.S. GOVERNMENT" GET THE FACTS TODAY! CALL 1-708-7 42-1142 EXT. 6279.

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GUN PARTS

PARTS for old SMITH & WESSONs! Send SASE with your requirements: LIBERTY Parts, P.O. Box 183AH, Eastport, Maine 04631 (207)853-2327.

RANDALL & OD! VIKING 45ACP PARTS. DA RECEIVERS, AT DISCOUNTED PRICES. Lefthand Parts Available. RANDCO, Box 1163A, Monrovia, CA 91016-5163.

GUNS FOR SALE

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GUNSMITHING

GUNSMITHING LATHES -milling machines-tools. New catalog $1.00: Blue Ridge Machinery and Tools, P.O. Box 536-N, Hurricane, WV 25526, 304-562-3538.

PISTOLSMITH Triple chamber HIGH-COMP installed on your gun $225 complete. All work highest quality. Stainless steel grips for Colt auto $40. Catalog $1. Randall Thompson, 654 Lela PL, Grand Jct., CO 81504.

TIRED OF fighting a hard trigger pull? Bullseye Spring Kits are the answer. Kits for handguns, rifles, and shotguns. Over 200 items for gunsmithing. Now order direct from the spring maker of the industry. Catalog on request. Trapper Gun, Inc., Dept. B, 18717 E. 14 Mile Rd., Fraser, MI 48026. (313)792-0133.

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REFINISHING HANDGUNS - Satin hard chrome or nickel, $60 w/FFL, includes assembly. Black parkerize, master blue, 24K gold, black anodize. Reasonable rates, excellent quality. Two week service. CHECKMATE GUNS, 8232 Shaw Rd. , Brooksville, FL 34602, 904-799-5774.

CUSTOM GUNSMITHING- Auto pistols, compensated or carry guns. XP-lOO's custom stocks and barrels. High accuracy and reliability a part of our service. Guns are our business-Our only business. Brochure $1. Mitchell Custom Guns, Rt 2 Bx 238, Breckenridge, Tx. 76024.

D & L Sports Custom Combat 45's. Basic to full house pistols. P.O. Box 651, Gillette, WY 82716. 307-686-4008.

~!~~~~WS ~:~~~:i~r:N~~n !~~~~ :~ ~:. Free Brochure: Karl Sokol, Chestnut Mountain Sports, 65 So. Main St., So. Deerfield, MA 01373, 413-655-4647.

INSTRUCTION

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Basic Investigation Training. Diploma program offered by Lion Investigation Academy, a licensed institution. Write Lion Investigation Academy, 3161 Shakespeare Rd., Bethlehem, PA 18017 for brochure. Lion Investigation Academy is a division of American Detective Agency. No salesman will call.

PAYS FOR ITSELF! Reloading pistol ammo videotape. VHS $18.88 postpaid. Free catalog. TJE Video Productions, Box 50141, Reno, Nevada 89513.

LEARN TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY with training from EXPERT POLICE INSTRUCTORS AND FORMER CHIEF OF POLICE! VIDEOS: Add $3.90 plh. IN THE HOME: firearms safety w/children, self-defense uses for

ftffiVivWi'iJ#.~~A~!iv~!i ~~ !:1~~~ fense. What to expect and do-what no to do when police arrive. $39.95. Textbook, first time available to public. $14.95 ppd. FIREARMS/SELF DEFENSE CONSULTANTS, BOX 873, EAST MOLINE, IL. 61244 DEALERS INQUIRE.

Hand-to-Hand Combat · Hard hitting thirteen page manual of vital points combat plus beautiful two color lithograph certificate from American Fighting Arts Academy with your name. Send $20.00 Cash or M.0. + $2.00 S.H. to: Mr. Vito, 446 Hackensack Street, Carlstadt, NJ 07072.

GUNISURVIV ALJOUTDOOR. Low cost how-to videos. Free catalog. TJE Video Productions, Box 50141-AH, Reno, Nevada89513.

BE A PARALEGAL! Accredited Attorney Instruction. Home Study. Founded 1976. lOOO's Grads. Financial Aid Available. Free CaWog 1-800-669-2555. Southern career Institute, 164 W. Royal Palm Road, Boca Raton, FL 33432.

SICK OF EXPENSIVE PISTOL AMMO! Can't aflord extravagant laser practice system? Learn to be an expert marksman in your own home. No ammunition required! Completely safe! $10.00: B&B Enterprises, P.O. Box 6587, Fort Bliss, Texas 79906.

KNIVES & SWORDS

UNIQUE CUTLERY OUR SPECIALTY We carry all brands and types of cutlery, firearms and necessories. CUTLERY KING tm, P.O. Box 464419, Lawrenceville, GA 30246. 1-800-634-6205/Local 925-9086.

German and Italian Stiletto's. Also out-the-fronts as well as Boker Classic's. Send $2.00 for new catalog: U.S.S. Cutt, 8948 S.W. Barbur Blv., Portland, OR 97219.


KNNES NEW '89 Models, Largest Selections, Lowest Prices Anywhere, A.G. Russell , Al Mar, Boker, Browning, Buck, Case, Cold Steel, Coleman Western, DMT, Eye Brand, Eze Lap, Frost, Gerber, Kabar, Kershaw, Lakota, Lansky, Leatherman, Old Timer, Puma, Queen, Remington, Schrade, Spyderco, Taylor, Tenka, Uncle Henry, United, Victorimox, Winchester, Wyoming, Kitchen Cutlery, CATALOG $2.00, FOREIGN $5.00 TAR HEEL CUTLERY, P.O. BOX 12819-AH, WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. 27117.

SURVIVAL KNIFE-w/heavy gauge 5 3/ 4" long stainless steel blade, bottle opener & fish scaler. Handle reveals matches, wire saw, nylon fish line, hooks, sinkers & needles- in water tight compartment. Sheath contains sharpening stone. Specify black or camouflage, Send $14.95 + $2.00 shipping & handling to: NATIONAL GOOD STUFF, Suite 291, 39B Mill Plain Rd., Danbury, CT 06811.

CATALOG OF KNIFEMAKING SUPPLIES,$1.00. List of knives, $.50 (cent) stamp. KNIFE & CtrrLERY PRODUCTS, DeptH, Box 54275, Tulsa, OK 74155.

QUALITY LIGHTNING KNIVES, Lockback - 440 surgical stainless steel - beautiful wood handles - solid brass bolsters and liners. 5" - $6.95, 7" - $7.95, 9" - $8.95 postpaid. MIO shipped immediately. LIGHTNING KNIFE CO., Dept. A, 2866 Arcata Lane, Orlando, FL 32817.

Stiletto's from 3" to 14" made in Germany, Italy. Other knives from Spain nad France. Stag horn, Buffalo horn, Mother of Pearl, Klass, Boker, ()pie!. Send $3.00 for catalog. U.S.S. Cutt, 8948 S.W. Barber Blvd., Portland, OR97219.

LEATHERCRAFT

QUALITY HANDCRAFTED HOLSTERS, CUSTOM LEATHER PRODUCTS Saddle-Stitched for Supe rior Strength. Brochure $2. THE GUNFITTERS, BOX 29005, Brooklyn Center, MN 55429.

GENUINE LEATHER HAND TOOLED GUN CASESlarnbs wool lining. Rifle -$79.95, Shotgun -$79.95, w!Scope -$89.95, Pistol -$59.95. Please specify length. Add $4.00 shiir ping & handling. Satisfaction guaranteed. Send to: NATIONAL GOOD STUFF, Suite 291, 39B Mill Plain Rd., Danbury, CT 06811.

CONCEALED CARRY - Law enforcements best kept secret for 10 years. Leathersmiths holsters, Brochure $2.00 Refundable. 355 N. Lantana Ave. , CAMARILLO, CA 93010.

Ml LIT ARIA

1940 German 3rd Reich, (WW2) Collect ion liquidation lists. Send $2 (Cash!) to:"RZM", PF/POB 1244, WASSENBERG, W. GERMANY.

WWII GERMAN Reproduction Badges, over 100 items. Fully illustrated. Send $3.: R&J Holt, 4 Marion Street, Nesconset. NY 11767.

MILITARY SURPLUS

MILITARY SURPLUS-Military Clothing, equipment, manuals and uniform devices. Send self-addressed stamped ($0.45) envelope for catalog, outside U.S. , $2.00: J.R. Sales, 1206-28 Ave. E #D, Ellenton, FL34222.

GOVERNMENT SURPLUS FROM $1 Uncle Sam has 1 billion $$ in surplus goods to sell or give away. Purchase directly from gov't thru U.S. mail. Boats, cars, planes, electronics, outdoor supplies, etc. For Buyer's Guide call 1-800-333-4100 ext. S-37.

SURPLUS BONANZA!! Buy Direct from Government. We show you how! Your area; (Guaranteed!!!) Official Directory; ~i~2.Sandhi ll Surplus, Dept. AH-A, Box 336, Roswell, NM

MISCELLANEOUS

STUN GUNS -TEAR GAS For self defense only. Protect your family. Free information. Spectrum, Box 727-AE, Grayslake, IL60030.

BULLET PROOF VEST- Class II-A Keviar soft body armor. Will defeat the .45 ACP, .357 mag. 9mm, 00 Buck and knife attack. Tested at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds by the U.S. Government Edgewood Arsenal. Front and back protector $175.00. Side panels: $35.00 per set. Sized S, M, L, XL: MPS Co., 1441 West John St., Matthews, MC 28105. (704)847-8793. Established 1970.

KNUCKS- Genuine brass paperweights, not cheap a luminum, same day delivery $7.95 prepaid: Matthews Police Suir ply, P.O. Box 1754, Matthews, NC 28105.

CHEWING-SMOKING Tobacco!! Do you Chew-Smoke? Free samples - Twist, Snuff, Pipe . Guaranteed satisfaction: FRED STOKER & SONS, Dresden, Tennessee 38225.

WATCH REPLICAS! WATCH REPLICAS! LOWEST PRICES GUARANTEED NATIONWIDE! WARRANTY! EXACT WEIGHT & COLOR! 18KT GOLDPLATED! CALI.J WATCH REPLICAS! (404) 963-3USA WATCH REPLICAS!

SHORT-RUN CUSTOM BELT BUCKLES WITH YOUR LOGO MY SPECIALTY SOLID SANDCAST SILICON BRONZE ALL HAND FINISHED. BUCKLES BY MIKE, 1225 MANZANITA, DEPT. AH, LOS ANGELES, CA 90029.

NAZI War souvenirs and daggers! Jllustrated catalog $10, bill (refundable). Disco, Box 331-H, Cedarburg, WI 53012-0331.

INVESTIGATIVE NEWS America's number one, all new, information newsletter. Each issue isjam packed with information and articles on skip tracing, bounty hunting, surveillance street survival, interrogation, undercover, executive protection, terrorism, criminal investigations and civil litigation. Also included are book and product reviews, confidential reports and hard to find information. Send for free copy today' INVESTIGATIVE NEWS, 407-AH West Santa C lara, Santa Ana, CA 92706.

FREE PRIVACY CATALOG. Cash income opportunities.Secret hiding places. Revenge techniques. New identity. EDEN PRESS, Box 8410-HG, Fountain Valley, CA 92728.

Cable TV converters and descramblers, Zenith, Tocom, Jerrold, Hamlin, Scientific Atlanta, Oak. Order yours today No California Sales. Catalog SASE. GCN, 1032 Irving St #109, S.F., CA 94122.

Government Auctions: Cars, Boats, Etc. Complete 100 + pg. How to with addresses & phones. 49.95 + 2.95 SH: J.M.lll, 35 Hunters Circle, Lebanon, N.J. 08833 .

. 50 BMG Flame Thrower! Norman's back! Norman Chung of Hawaii invented the Gun That

Never Eats Quiche , a humongous Government Model chambered in the mammoth .50 BMG cartridge.

Regular readers will remember Norman from last issue's Industry Insider column where he was named "Most Likely To Blow Himself Up." To refresh your memory, Norman built a barrel and receiver to attach to a Colt Government Model frame, a single-shot pistol firing John Browning's awesome .50 Browning Machine Gun round that shoots an 850 grain bullet. Norman's little monster weighs 15 pounds.

Over to Norman: "I visited the local shooting range to become the flash and blast master. Everyone thought I would just blow over or blow up, but they finally realized that I was there to shoot, not sprain my wrist, burn my hand or blow off my face.

"A request came down from the range officers to shoot it when no others are around. This is at all the wrong times when the days are hot. One range officer expects me to proof test it, hoping I'll blow up and that'll be the end of it , before he'll let me shoot it anytime I want when others are around too.

WHISPERING DEATH- Brand new video! Experts demonstrate and compare improvised and high-grade commercialquality silencers, and show step-by-step construction procedures. Color, approx. 45min., specify VHS or Beta. $.59,95, from CEP, Incorporated, P.O. Box 865-9KA, Boulder, Colorado 90306, (303)443-2294.

LOOKING FOR A TOOL? Over 500 U.S. tools. Lifetime Warranty. Now order direct for rock bottom prices! New cata~ ~~°?4(refundable). POST TOOLS, 40 Nelon, Silver Bay,

CRIMEFIGHTERS send $2 for illustrated catalog. B-PEC, Dept H989, Box 7638, Moreno, CA 92303.

POLICE EQUIPMENT

POLICE TR.AINING BOOKS. 40 + titles, Catalog $.50: RONIN, Box 40 (A), Billerica, MA 01821.

SECOND CHANCE & AMERICAN & POINT BLANK &

~~e~ 'E~Fd'Ri~Ek~P.fi~u~~!(:~Fi1Th~J08 (VERIFIED)! For YO~ SPECIAL PRICE SHEET I INFORMATION I DEPARTMENTAL BID REQUESTS CALL 1-800-658-3323, (VISA/MASTERCARD AC CEPTED). N.P.0.S., Box 55 (A.HM), Rapid City, SD 57709-0055.

LAW ENFORCEMENT badge and patch collectors send $1 for list or $8.00 for 12 monthly lists. Baird, Dept H889, Box 7638, Moreno, CA 92303.

REAL ESTATE

UNCLE SAM HAS 110 BILLION$$$ to loan/give away for real estate with no credit statement needed. Also gov't seized homes from $1. For info: 1-800-333-4100 ext. H-316.

ATTENTION- GOVERNMENT HOMES from $1 (U-re= E~ia'li9~.ktax property. Repossessions. 1-602-838-

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SURVIVAL

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WANTED TO PURCHASE

Inventions, Ideas, technology want.ed by one of America's leading invention submission firms to be presented to industry. Call free 1-800-288-IDEA.

"The proof load is an 850 grain FMJ bullet with 220 grains of IMR 4895. We're talking about 55,000 CUPs. That's pushing the limit since the load was designed for the Browning Machine Gun with its recoil locking bolt system. But I'm not crazy enough to hold it when it goes off!

the top. The blast is up-and-down so shooters on either side of me wouldn't catch it.

"Referring to your Insider column and a question of other projects, I can 't chamber anything larger than a .50 cal iber. We were throwing around the idea of a necked-down 20mm case to .50 caliber three years ago. But, they 're asking big bucks for the chambering reamer.

"Enclosed is a picture of me shooting the .50 BMG in an indoor range. We wanted to know how effective the multi-chambered compensator was. The load was 50 grains of Bullseye and 60 grains of Pyrodex behind a 55 grain wad of rolled up paper. There are eight separate ports in the comp, four on the bottom and four progressively larger on


"I'd like to mention that the concussion is more awesome than the recoil. People with shooting boxes have to take their drawer of guns out because when the BMG goes off , the concussion knocks the drawer right out! We have pictures showing a drawer full of guns flying out. Five to six lanes away from where we were shooting, anyone with a spotting scope had to re-set them.

"Thanks for the recognition and compliment. " Yours Truly, Norman Chung

117

INDUSl'RY INSIDER --------------CAMERON HOPKINS COLI' FIREARMS SOLD J'O STRIKING UNION, INVESTOR AND COLI' EXECS

C olt Firearms has been sold by Colt Industries to a group of investors led by businessman Anthony D. Autorino of

Wethersfield, Conn .. according to a story in The Hanford Courant. Neither Colt Industries nor Autorino would discuss the purchase price, but informed speculation puts the figure between $150 and $200 million. according to the Courant.

Autorino represents a triad of buyers: himself, striking Colt workers of the UAW and severa l top Colt management leaders. Autorino would not say what percentage of Colt that the union workers will control, but he said it is "less than 50 percent ," according to the Courant.

The Co11rant also reported that the UAW strike against Colt is the most bitter and violent labor strike in Massachusetts history. The strike began in January of 1986 and was still in effect after the buyout was announced in November, 1989.

Striking workers , now the new owners of Colt, are not eager to work with the .. scabs, " or replacement workers, who have been manning the assembly lines since the strike began, the Courant reported. "So long, you lousy scabs," was a frequently heard taunt at the picket line outside Colt, according to the Courant.

So what does this all mean for the future of Colt guns? In my view, the first thing it means is that quality will improve.

I expect the veteran Colt workers wi ll bring back a sense of pride in workmanship and gunmaking know-how that has been sorely lacking since the vicious strike began four years ago.

It's also safe to assume that the experienced union workers will take even more care than in the past to insure a high degree of quality since they now own a piece of the company. There's nothing like crass self-interest to spur on-the-job dedication!

What would I do if I was the new owner of Colt? The first thing I would do is to order the Woodsman back into production. For heaven's sake, imagine a handgun company that doesn ' t make a .22 of any kind! That's absurd- or rather, that 's Colt. Not only should Colt make a .22, but also they should make one of the best .22's of all time , the Woodsman.

Secondly, I'd get rid of the Double Eagle, whicll has given new meaning to the term big bore, and start fresh with a modern design.

Next- boy, this is getting to be fun running a gun company! - I ' d make a heavy duty magnum. Colt is the only major handgun company without a .44 Magnum. High time to change that!

I'd cal l in my design engineers and mandate a strong new revolver as handsome as the Python but as tough as the Ruger Redhawk. What the hell, make it in .44 Mag and .454 Casull. (News Flash! It's happened! The gun is a King Cobra with a Python barrel in .44 Magnum called the Anaconda.)

Last ly, I'd permit sales of the AR-15 again to the general public. Former owner Colt Ind ustries buckled under to antigun pressure following the Stockton shooting and banned all civilian sales. This policy was mistakenly blamed on the subsidiary, Colt Firearms. (At least that's what Colt Firearms said at the time. Now we'll know where they really stand on the sa le of the AR-15.)

Did you hear about the former president of US Repeating Arms, maker of Winchester rifles and shotguns? It seems one Hugh Calvert Fletcher, when president of USRAC, used his position to profit by manipulating the market for Winchester commemoratives.

Fletcher was convicted of "conspiring to defraud the federal government out of taxes," according to the Bridgeport Post-Telegram. He was sentenced to 22 months in the slammer for fiddling with Winchester's commemorative U.S. Border Patrol rifle and lithograph. Federal prosecutors charge that Fletcher funne led over $140,000 in profits through various bank accounts in the Bahamas.

Continuing with the "Gun Of The Week" policy, Smith & Wesson unveiled their latest new model on schedule last Monday. This one is a double-action-only Model 60 Ch iefs Special with the hammer bobbed.

This is a good gun- a pocket p istol like the Model 60 should have a bobbed hammer anyway and the DA-only touch is something you usually have to upgrade with custom work from a pistolsmith.

Other news from the Springfield gunmaker is still not official, but Insider sources confirm that S&W will announce the formation of their professional shooting team at the upcoming annual extravaganza of guns known as the SHOT (Shooting,

Hunting and Outdoors Trade) Show. Smith has signed two of the nation's

foremost professional handgunners, twotime Bianchi Cup champion Brian Enos and former IPSC national champion Mike Plaxco. Both are now S&W employees whose job is to shoot. shoot, shoot. You will see the entire S&W Shooting Team at major competitions throughout the country in 1990.

Enos, who won The Masters last year, and Plaxco are joined by veteran S&W shooter Tom Campbell and "wheelgun wonder" Jerry Mikulek on the team.

The major challenge facing the S& W Shooting Team is coming up with a competitive auto pistol since the best action shooting pistol, the Gov't Model. is not made by Smith.

The solution? Radically customize a Third Generation pistol and chamber it in a brand-new cartridge that will be called the .40 S&W. It's a IOmm caliber. but with a shorter overall length to fit the cycle length of the S&W auto, which is too short to accommodate the .38 Super.

To achieve this end and also to expand into a new marketing arena, S&W will open a Custom Shop, Insider sources indicate. The word on the grapevine is that master pistolsmith Paul Liebenberg will head the shop. Paul has extensive experience with the Centimeter cartridge, a trimmed down I Omm Auto, and he has been doing research for Smith on this .40 S&W.

By the way, it's only fair to note that S& W is not the first to recognize the value of big-money handgun matches. John Bianchi of Bianchi International deserves credit for starting " professional handgunning" with the prestigious tournament that

bears his name. The year was 1976. Quick, name a cartridge that 's been

around for I 0 years and there's sti 11 no gun for it? I'll give you a hint- it starts in 9 and ends in Magnum.

Yes , the 9mm Winchester Magnum will come alive in 1990 when IAI, formerly AMT, chambers their Auto-Mag Ill for this neglected version of a .38 Super on steroids.

Para -Ordnance is introducing complete guns based on their 13-shot Government Model .45 frame. There arc three models a ll retailing over the $700 mark: the Pl4-45 (Gov ' t slide); Pl3-45 (Commander slide); and Pl 2-45 (Officers slide).

Also, now their high-capacity frames are available in carbon ......_. and stainless steel. '°'


SOMEDAY ALL HANDGUNS WILL BE THIS GOOD.

While other companies were improving upon the technology of the past, GLOCK was busy perfecting the technology needea for

the 21st Century.

Polymer technology.

You can see it in the complete line of GLOCK 9mm, semi-automatic pistols. Hailed by police and sportsmen alike, these remarkable hand

guns fire even the most advanced ammunition with unfailing accuracy.

Find out for yourself what makes the GLOCK so good. And why it's been setting new standards for simplicity, reliability, cost effectiveness and safety.

Contact your nearest dealer for a free GLOCK brochure. Or write or call GLOCK, INC. today.

GLOC~ INC. P.O. Box 369 • Smyrna, Georgia 30081 • (404) 432-1202

Telex: 543353 Glock Atl UD • Fax: (404) 433-8719

Smaller. Slimmer. Safer. Smoother.

The New Compact 9mm's from Smith&Wesson Any Way You Look at Them--They're Better You're looking for a compact 9mm--but don't

want to compromise capacity and features for the sake of size and weight. With the new Smith & Wesson compact models 3913 and 3914, you don't have to. These pistols pack a full eightplus-one rounds, and are clearly ...

Smaller than all major 9mm compacts on the market today. In short, you get 9mm power in a .380-sized package.

Slimmer than every other 9mm compact available from the slide to the grip girth.

Safer than any other make--our unique threesafety system makes these the safest compacts you can own.

Smoother than other models. You'll see it in the smooth rounded edges, bobbed hammer--and in the consistently smooth trigger putrthat's ensured by our proprietary trigger pull monitor.

The new compacts from Smith & Wesson. Available in blue or stainless. With the quality-and exceptionally reliable function--you expect from a Third Generation pistol. Made in America and protected by our Lifetime Service Policy.

And they're available now at your Smith & Wesson dealer.

~ Smith&Wesson ~ SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETIS 01102

American Handgunner Mar/Apr 1990

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