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Guns

2010 Best Rifles and Optics

These new rifles, scopes, and binoculars caused Rifles Columnist David E. Petzal to emit little shrieks of joy.

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Best New Shotguns for 2010

From the SHOT Show floor, Phil Bourjaily picks the best new shotguns for 2010.

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Guns Articles

A Top-Notch Working Rifle: David Petzal Reviews...

If you’re looking for a be-all and end-all working rifle, David Petzal doesn't see how...

How To Replace A Rifle Stock

In the current economic climate, it could be a while before that new rifle you've had...


The Truth About High Velocity Hunting Bullets

Back in 1915, firearms designer Arthur Savage stood the shooting world on its...

Shotgun Slug Accuracy Tips from the American Slug...

In the not-so-distant smoothbore days of slug shooting, people bragged about shotguns...


When Buying Used Double-Barreled Shotguns, Check...

Phil Bourjaily's quick tip on checking the quality of a used double shotgun

How to Judge If Rifle Repairs Are Worth the Money

In my formative years, I regarded every gun as a work in progress. Only after my genius......

What To Put in Your Rifle Repair Kit

A rifle repair kit can save your hunt.

Shotgun Shooting Advice For Dove Hunters

Want to kill more birds? Follow these dove-hunting tips from Gun Nut and Shotguns...

Review: Knoxx Spec Ops Tactical Shotgun Stock

Blackhawk has expanded its line of Knoxx Spec Ops shotgun stocks to include a 12-gauge...

  • February 9, 2010

    Bourjaily: Where Ike Can Admire the View

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    I returned from SHOT relieved to find my old setter, Ike, still alive and even able to rouse himself to wag his tail and give me a nuzzle when I came in the door. For a while after he first went blind, I took him to the field with me and let him run around before and after the hunt as he’s doing in the picture above. But he has been fading since mid-December. He can walk a little but mostly I carry him from place to place.



    [ Read Full Post ]

  • February 9, 2010

    Woman Brings Gun To Work, Police Not Far Behind

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    Maybe work is not the best place to sell a gun.

    From Oregon’s KPTV Channel 12 Fox News:

    A woman who brought a rifle to work caused a major police response Thursday morning in Clackamas.

    Someone called 911 and reported that a woman carrying a rifle entered the ADP Offices at 10155 SE Sunnyside Road, sheriff's deputies said.

    [ Read Full Post ]

  • February 8, 2010

    Petzal: The Bulletproof Reporter Video

    I've watched this thing several times, and as far as I can tell that is a real .38 round in the revolver. And it did recoil, although not much, meaning that an actual bullet was fired. What I do find passing strange, though, is that the brain-damaged reporter did not even have a red mark on his side. Give me an effing break! A .38 Special at point-blank range and not a trace of where the bullet struck? Also, it seems that the clothing in question is designed to stop 9mm Parabellum, and piss-ant cartridges of that ilk. What if someone were to shoot point blank at your heart with a .45 ACP? Say "blunt force trauma." Say, "Ceramic plate, wish I had one."

    [ Read Full Post ]

  • February 5, 2010

    Discussion Topic: Tiny LEGO Gun Spells Big Trouble For Student

    And now, the very latest in the ongoing absurdity of zero-tolerance, from The Staten Island Real-Time News:

    Patrick Timoney, a fourth-grader at PS 52, South Beach, was nearly suspended after playing with LEGOs during his lunch period because one of the action figures was carrying at toy machine gun.

    He and his friends had planned a playdate with their respective toys, and were sitting around the cafeteria table when the principal walked in and saw the action figure carrying the fake gun. . . .

    "She took him into her office in the middle of the lunch period and he was crying," said the boy's mother, Laura Timoney. "He was afraid."

    The principal called Ms. Timoney and said she considered the toy suspension-worthy, and that she was going to double-check with a security administrator from the city Department of Education.

    In the end, the administrator decided against suspending the boy. Apparently, they were satisfied with just terrifying the poor kid.

    [ Read Full Post ]

  • February 3, 2010

    Bourjaily: On Suppressors and Metro Barrels

    As the guy in this video points out, suppressors are legal, widely available even, in several European countries.

    F&S contributor Tom McIntyre once told me about a trip to Scotland. After stalking all day, he went out with the gamekeeper at night “lamping” (what we call jacklighting) rabbits. As Tom described it, they crept around the edge of town in a Land Rover, shooting rabbits out of people’s front yards with a suppressed rifle. Rabbits are considered vermin in the U.K.

    Having never seen anything like this back home, Tom finally asked the keeper: “Is this, you know, legal?”

    [ Read Full Post ]

  • February 2, 2010

    Petzal: Barrett's Law

    While at SHOT Show and SCI last month, I saw a great deal of New Stuff that we will not  be able to live without. The downside to New Stuff is that it comes at the cost of Old Stuff, and sometimes, the Old Stuff is a lot better than the New Stuff that replaces it. And that is why Peter Barrett, Field & Stream’s late Executive Editor, would take a puff on his pipe and say “Kid, if you find something real good buy two, because as true as God they’ll stop making it.”

    A case in point is the Leupold M-8 3X rifle scope which was made from 1965 to 1979. It was light, simple, strong, took in 43 feet at 100 yards, and was one of the best scopes ever made for short range shooting, or for use on a dangerous game rifle. I don’t know of anything comparable made today.

    In the 1960s and 1970s, Danner made a boot called the Elk Hunter, not to be confused with the present boot of that name. It was 5 inches high, lace-to-toe, no Gore-Tex or Thinsulate, and came with a heavy Vibram sole and a high “logger” heel. Elk Hunters weighed... [ Read Full Post ]

  • January 29, 2010

    Why I Hate the Booth Babe Story, a Guest Editorial by Holly A. Heyser

    Editor’s Note: As part of our annual coverage from the SHOT show, the outdoor industry’s biggest convention, we always run a photo gallery of “Booth Babes,” those voluptuous women companies employ to get men to stop and take a closer look at their goods.  We always get a good chuckle out of this practice when we’re at the show (and we freely admit that sometimes we do stop to admire the view), so we started this gallery so readers could share in the fun. It’s become very popular, but it’s not without its critics. There are many smart and valid criticisms in the comments section of the gallery, but we thought they deserved a larger platform. After coming across a particularly compelling argument on the blog norcalcazadora.com, we asked the author, Holly A. Heyser, a female hunter and writer from Northern California, to start the discussion here.

    I’ve got to start this by saying I’m not a prude, and I don’t hate men because they love looking at bodacious babes. I’ve even started watching “Manswers” on Spike with my boyfriend because, seriously, it’s pretty over-the-top funny.
     
    But I had a real problem with F&S posting its 2010 SHOT Show Booth Babe Roundup on this website Wednesday. [ Read Full Post ]

  • January 28, 2010

    Bourjaily: Great Shots Start in the Boy Scouts

    This year the Boys Scouts of America celebrate their 100th anniversary. As they do, we should celebrate them for their continuing commitment to the shooting sports. Countless thousands of boys received their introduction to riflery, shotgunning and archery at Scout camp and the BSA still offers merit badges for all three.

    [ Read Full Post ]

  • January 27, 2010

    Petzal: Some Lessons From a Legend

    While at the SCI Convention in Reno, I visited with gun builder D’Arcy Echols, and was allowed to grope one of his left-hand Legend rifles in .270. The Legend was on loan back to him, and here is its history from D’Arcy:

    “The gal that owns this rifle has used it on mule deer in Colorado, elk and moose in Utah, and red stag, chamois, and tahr in New Zealand. This year a Yukon moose and grizzly hunt is on the calendar. She shoots factory Remington Safari Grade 140-grain Swift A-Frame ammo. To date nothing has gotten away to die a slow, lingering death. She has taken some ribbing from male hunters in camp for shooting such a minimal caliber but always seems to serve them up a plate of very dry crow to eat at the end of the hunt. She has no other rifle and no plans to acquire another. Beware of the one-gun gal.”

    [ Read Full Post ]

  • January 27, 2010

    New Study: Rubber Slugs Deter Black Bears Better

    From the Anchorage Daily News:

    Black bear encounters happen every summer… and a new study suggests rubber bullets are the best way to send the bruins packing.

    An article in this month's issue of The Journal of Wildlife Management based on a four-year study in California's Sequoia National Park says shooting black bears with rubber slugs from a 12-gauge shotgun is most effective -- better than pepper spray, chasing them off or hitting them with rocks.

    [ Read Full Post ]

  • January 26, 2010

    Petzal: Praise the Lord (Quietly) and Pass the Ammo

    Trijicon Company of Wixom, MI, has been noted for years for its red dot sights, and for its scopes with non-battery-required illuminated reticles. They make terrific sights and are nice people. Because the company was founded by a devout Christian, they have also, for many years, stamped references to New Testament verses on their scope tubes. This, it seems, is in violation of the U.S. Constitution, and is distressing to the American soldiers and Marines who use Trijicons, the Muslim Public Affairs Council, American senior commanders including General David Petraeus, and probably Osama Bin Laden, although he cannot be reached for comment

    Under intense pressure from all of the preceding, Trijicon announced on January 21st that it will cease the practice, and will supply 100 kits to the military to remove the politically incorrect references. [ Read Full Post ]

  • January 26, 2010

    Discussion Topic: Montana Sportsmen Open Fire On Proposed Lead Ban

    From the Missoulan:

    Some Montana hunters and sportsmen’s groups are taking aim at what one described as a “California-style” proposed ban on certain lead-containing hunting ammunition on dozens of state-owned lands.

    “This is a fad that has spun out of California,” said Gary Marbut, president of the Montana Shooting Sports Association, a Missoula-based gun rights group. “It is just nonsensical.

    [ Read Full Post ]

  • January 25, 2010

    Petzal: One Deadly Flashlight

    Just when you think you've seen everything, something like this comes along. Anything I could add would be superfluous.

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  • January 25, 2010

    Update: Education Board Overturns California Teen’s Expulsion Over Guns In Truck

    We’ve been following the story of 17-year-old California student Gary Tudesko, who was expelled by the Willis Unified School District for having unloaded shotguns in his truck, despite the fact that the vehicle was not parked on school property. Now, Tudesko’s expulsion has been overturned.

    Here’s the latest, from the Sacramento Bee:

    In the end, the case . . . became a question of whether the authority of school officials to enforce the state's Education Code extended to the school fence – or a sidewalk's width beyond it.

    [ Read Full Post ]

  • January 25, 2010

    Outdoor Writer Jeff Murray Succumbs to Rare Blood Disease

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    I got know long-time Minnesota outdoor writer Jeff Murray about the same time he was diagnosed with systemic mastocytosis, a rare blood disease. I worked closely with Jeff as his editor on dozens of whitetail-related articles for F&S at a time when he was battling for his life. He never complained. His enthusiasm never wavered.
    F&S extends its condolences to Jeff’s family.

    Here is his obituary, from the Duluth News-Tribune.

     

      [ Read Full Post ]

  • January 21, 2010

    Petzal: The Recession and Profanity-Free Speeches

    In two days at the 2010 SHOT Show I have yet to hear a discouraging word; in fact the place is bulging and throbbing like an unlanced boil. I’ve just fled from one of the law-enforcement halls because it was so mobbed that you couldn’t get through the aisles, and it is not much different anyplace else.

    On the other hand, 2010 is not much of a year for innovation, at least in rifles. There are all sorts of “new” models that are only cosmetically different, but for actual new the only one that I’ve seen is the Blaser R8. Optics, however, is a different story. [ Read Full Post ]

  • January 21, 2010

    Live from SHOT: The New Ithaca Phoenix

  • January 21, 2010

    Video: Stuff Petzal Likes at the SHOT Show

    Yesterday I trailed Phil Bourjaily around the SHOT Show floor with a video camera. Today it was Dave Petzal's turn. Some of the items you are about to see are new. Some are not. But they all fall under one category where release date is irrelevant. Simply put, here's a showcase of "Stuff Dave Likes." Mr. Petzal, please take the floor. -- Joe Cermele

    [ Read Full Post ]
  • January 20, 2010

    Live from SHOT: New Guns, New Gear, and Autographed Panties

    Greetings Gun Nuts. Though I never thought an occasion would arise that caused me to stray from my post at the Honest Angler blog and enter the realm of Mr. Petzal and Mr. Bourjaily, sometimes strange things happen. One actually happened today. I aimlessly wandered the SHOT Show floor with Phil Bourjaily, filming whenever something grabbed his attention. Here's a look at what we found, including some of the hottest new guns and gear, plus a booth babe that signs lingerie. I hope you enjoy the show, as Phil and I certainly had fun making it -- Joe Cermele

    [ Read Full Post ]
  • January 20, 2010

    SHOT Show Report: The Ultimate Long-Range Scope

  • January 19, 2010

    Bourjaily Meets Mr. Wrist Rocket

    When I was a kid, I used to give my friends Wrist Rocket slingshots as birthday presents. My friends loved them, although looking back, I doubt their moms were equally thrilled.

    So, it was a real treat to me to meet Mark Ellenburg at SHOT today. Ellenburg is the inventor the Wrist Rocket, which turns 55 years old this year. Ellenburg himself barely looks 55. He started inventing the Wrist Rocket when he was 12 years old, putting a wrist brace on a slingshot intended for throwing snowballs at his friend’s snow forts back in Norfork, Nebraska. Evidently playing with slingshots your whole life keeps you young.



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  • January 19, 2010

    SHOT Show Report: Live from the Shooting Range

  • January 19, 2010

    SHOT Show Report: Browning X-Bolt and Winchester Model 1894

    A guest post by Field & Stream Deputy Editor Jay Cassell

    The day before the SHOT show doors open is the fun day, the day writers and editors get to go to area ranges and shoot all the new guns being offered by firearms manufacturers from across the planet. This year, I attended the annual Browning-Winchester event, held at the Desert Rifle and Pistol Sportsman’s Club 45 minutes outside of Las Vegas. Two guns in particular attracted my interest.



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  • January 18, 2010

    SHOT Show Report: Bourjaily Shoots the SXP

    SHOT Show starts tomorrow, and as always, several manufacturers held pre-show shooting events  today that gave us press-types a little trigger time with some of their new guns. At the Browning/Winchester shoot, I had the chance to get reacquainted with the SXP.

    The SXP is the Turkish-made reincarnation of the old 1300, an underappreciated, lightweight, inexpensive gun made in the old New Haven factory before it closed. Winchester announced the SXP last year but it wasn’t until this year that they actually received guns from their Turkish vendor in sellable quantities.

    Anyway, the 1300 was briefly known as the “Speed Pump” because its rotary bolt helped it cycle very quickly. I remembered the guns were smooth, but I had forgotten just how smooth they were. The first two times I tried to shoot doubles with it today, I worked the slide and ejected the shell literally without knowing I had, leaving me pulling on the forearm trying to open an action that was already open. Once I figured out what was happening, I could shoot the gun very fast, and a butter-slick pump gun is a lot of fun to shoot.

    I liked the way it pointed and shot, and the... [ Read Full Post ]

  • January 15, 2010

    Bourjaily: Works of Art as Guns

    Sometimes we talk about guns as works of art in this space.  How about works of art as guns? Robert Powell’s painted stocks use wood as canvas for designs based on the work of the masters. Painted gun stocks are popular among target shooters, although I for one would love to show up at a sunflower field dove shoot with a gun painted to look like Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers.” (What I would really like would be a turkey gun in Jackson Pollack camo).

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