Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2022 i Guns & Ammo

THE IDEA OF UTILIZING an illuminating agent on a projectile is not new. Since the 1500s, even, there were recipes used for cannon munitions that would allow the crew to adjust fire according to the trail of an outgoing projectile. These primitive “tracers” were hit and miss. (Yeah, that pun was absolutely intended.) The concept proved sound and technology got better through the centuries. The first true small-arms tracer was developed by the British during World War I: “Cartridge S.A. Tracer .303-inch Mark I,” which debuted in 1915. Not long after, the U.S. followed with the M1917. You guessed it, the year was 1917. For the non-military user though, tracer rounds can be problematic. The mechanism that illuminates most tracers is usually a highly flammable metallic fuel such as magnesium.…

SIG SAUER ELECTRO-OPTICS has only existed for a few years, but it is a good case study of how the optics industry works and how companies change through time. The Electro-Optics Division launched in 2015 and, at first, did little manufacturing of the products it sold. Like most optic companies, SIG Sauer Electro-Optics designed the products, came up with the specification lists, and outsourced its manufacturing. Optic companies do this because it allows rapid development, meaning that they can introduce and sell a new product without the up-front costs (such as building and staffing a factory). This strategy allows brands to leverage the experience and manufacturing capabilities of legacy optic-production houses, even though the name on the door is new. This benefits the consumer with lower prices. The downside is…

SUPPRESSORS, also known as “silencers,” are popular with sportsmen worldwide due to reduced muzzle blast, report and recoil. They trap propellant gases inside chambers created by baffles and effectively suppress the noise and signature of a firearm the way a vehicle’s muffler reduces exhaust. Suppressors do not eliminate sound, but many do reduce decibel (dB) levels to the point that it is not as harmful to shooters’ ears. In the U.S., suppressor ownership and possession has been strictly regulated by a federal law known as the 1934 National Firearms Act (NFA). To obtain a suppressor in compliance with the NFA, an applicant must submit $200, fingerprints, two passport-sized photos and an application known as “ATF Form 4” to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE). The approval process…

@GUNSANDAMMOMAG DID YOU KNOW that Guns & Ammo has a TV show hosted by the same editors and contributors found within these pages? Each episode contains two “At The Range” segments that spotlight new products and salient features. Beyond that, shows are filled out with segments that touch on historical subjects and training. Are you a fan of Garry James’ “Identification & Values?” For the Fall of 2022, Guns & Ammo TV carries James’ popular column to G&A TV with the NRA National Firearm Museum’s Phil Schreier as co-host. They contrast two historical contemporaries and compare current collector values. Also appearing in the 3rd and 4th quarters, Tom Beckstrand and Jeremy Stafford test each other against the handgun qualification standards of esteemed U.S. military units and law enforcement agencies. And,…

ALL TECHNICAL DISCIPLINES have their own set of nomenclature and definitions. For example, I wouldn’t expect a geologist to have much understanding of a conversation with an aeronautical engineer about a wing’s aspect ratio or lift-to-drag ratio any more than the aeronautical engineer would have much understanding of a discussion of the late Cambrian period. As shooters and hunters, we definitely have our own set of nomenclature that applies to our passion. Try having a discussion with your wife about the merits of a high ballistic coefficient (BC) bullet and the benefits to its trajectory, retained velocity and terminal performance for the big-game hunter. How long did it take for her eyes to glaze over? Along those lines, I thought it might be beneficial to readers to review several ballistics…

STEVENS .22 SHORT SS Q: I would like any information and the value of this old rifle. It is a Stevens in .22 Short is all I know. I found similar rifles called “414,” but none had all the accessories that this one has. P. B. Palestine, Texas A: From what I can see, you do indeed have a very nice condition Stevens No. 414 “Armory” rifle. Yours has just been gussied-up a bit. This single-shot drop-block was offered routinely in .22 Long Rifle and in .22 Short “on special order.” According to a 1929 Steven catalog, the 414 “was designed for firing from the standard military positions incorporated in matches of the National Rifle Association.” It incorporated the same barrel and action used on the Stevens No. 44…

THE SIG SAUER P365 SERIES, which includes the P365X, P365XL and P365-380 are among the hottest-selling pistols on the market. The compact and slim design, high-capacity magazines, X-Ray3 day/night sights and smooth trigger are appealing. Plus, most are optic-ready. However, all but the new P365-XMacro feature a proprietary SIG accessory rail, so not all pistol lights that you’ll see at retail are compatible. (The new P365-XMacro features a widely compatible M1913, i.e., “Picatinny,” accessory rail.) Since you must see and identify that a threat is deadly before pressing the trigger, having a light on a pistol is useful in a dark environment. Whenever your pistol is in hand, you’ll be able to illuminate a potential threat to determine if deadly force is required. While there are aftermarket rail adapters that…

WHEN THE ORIGINAL P365 was introduced in Guns & Ammo’s May 2018 issue, it popularized the stack-and-a-half, high-capacity micro compact. Sporting a 10-plus-one standard capacity — with an optional 12-round extended magazine — it was sized in a package that was previously limited to single-stack pistols that held just six or seven rounds on average. Altogether, the P365 was more shootable, too, compared to other subcompact 9mm handguns at that time. It was truly a generational leap in concealed-carry handguns, which is why it was named the 2018 Guns & Ammo Handgun of the Year. SIG Sauer was already planning ahead by the time it won G&A’s award. The October 2019 issue revealed the P365 XL, which kept the slim 1.1-inch width of the P365 while extending the barrel length…