Man Magnum February 2016

I AM WRITING this on the 1st of January 2016, as we leave behind a violent year of death and mayhem daily viewed on television. Early in 2015, The Guardian (UK) reported that global armed conflicts are becoming more deadly, and quoted the International Institute for Strategic Studies as saying, despite fewer wars, the number of deaths has trebled since 2008 due to an “inexorable intensification of violence”. Tens of thousands more people are dying in armed conflicts, even as the number of conflicts falls, according to the study. In 2008, sixty-three armed conflicts led to 56 000 fatalities, whereas in 2014, 180 000 people died in 42 conflicts. The numbers reflect the extremely violent fighting in Syria and Iraq and the increasing deaths in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of…

THE POLYMER-FRAMED Turkish Canik TP9SA is a striker-fired, locked breech 9mmP pistol which has been adopted by the Turkish police. Striker-fired actions use a spring-loaded firing-pin which, owing to built-in safeties and a firing-pin block, cannot accidentally fire a chambered round. These disengage only when the trigger is pulled and the firing-pin released to strike the primer, making these pistols extremely safe for service use. Examples of pre-set striker-fired pistols are the Glock, the Smith & Wesson M&P series, Springfield Armory’s XD-S and XD-M and the Ruger SR series. THE CANIK TP9SA’s cold-forged steel barr l is 4.46"; the pistol is 192mm long, 145mm high, 33mm wide and weighs 820g with an empty magazine. The two ste l Mec Gar magazines, specially made and branded for Canik’s TP series pistols,…

HUNTING OR SAFARI jacket, shooting vest, waistcoat or coat, upland vest, gilet, jupon – there are almost as many names for this essential bit of gear as there are styles. Well, not really, because there are literally hundreds of different designs available, especially now with the worldwide web. These are items of clothing which generate intense personal likes and dislikes so it’s not surprising that there are so many styles. CONCENTRATING on what’s used in wingshooting substantially cuts down the choices. If we begin with the sleeveless type of vest/waistcoat, firstly there is the skeet shooting/clay pigeon vest. Usually this is a pretty lightweight affair, most have netting backs and even sides to keep the wearer cool. All are mid-thigh length. Two, or four, commodious front pockets for cartridges and…

Your letters are an important part of Magnum. We (readers and editors) like to hear your problems and opinions. Unless marked ‘NOT FOR PUBLICATION’ all letters are considered and are edited for length and/or clarity. Pen-names may be used, provided that your full name, address and daytime phone number are furnished. Please try to keep your letters short and to the point. Colt Correction I would like to amend a statement in my article on Colt’s Pocket Pistols that appeared in the December 2015 issue. I said it was a mystery as to who actually bought and used Sam Colt’s best-selling percussion revolver. Well since the article appeared I have had the great pleasure of examining the wonderful book Colt’s Pocket ‘49 – Its Evolution written by Robert M. Jordan…

DURING THE 1980s I worked temporarily for Zimbabwe’s Veterinary Department, specifically trying to control a rabies outbreak. I was about to leave on a three-day excursion to collect wild animals for testing, when old John Davis came over from the National Parks office. “Don, I hear you are going out towards Point 222? We have a problem elephant there; killed three villagers so far. Would you mind shooting it for me? My PAC officer is out after a rabid lion, and my only available ranger is down with malaria.” I was reluctant, but I agreed because John Davis, who was very old, was currently suffering from a bout of malaria himself. However, I had only my 7x57 Mauser, and the Vet Department scouts with me carried Lee Enfield .303s. “I’d…

AT FIRST GLANCE, this box-magazine fed, gas-operated semi-automatic shotgun could be mistaken for a rifle. With its carry-handle atop the receiver, the Turkish-made MKA 1919 Match looks like an M16 and has all the regular AR-style characteristics. It is only when looking closer at the barrel and magazine that you realize it must be of larger calibre than the popular 5.56mm or .308. If you are already well-versed in the use of an AR type rifle, this 12ga will certainly reduce training time for sport shooting or security work. All the buttons and levers are where you would expect them on an assault rifle. I tested the Match model, which has several modifications to make it ready for competition straight from the box. Inside the well-constructed box were the shotgun,…