Ruger's AR-556 Multi Purpose Rifle Part I
The connection between music and humans is curious; deliberately framed and arranged vibrations that can reflect: celebration, mood, age, memories, and expression. Music has been a personal struggle, predominately in manifestation; too grating… croaking, even for the shower. Listening, however, has been met with much greater success, although I tend […] [Read More]
Ruger American Rifle Ranch Thirty Part II
The 7.62x39mm, the official nomenclatured of both CIP and SAAMI standards groups, came into popularity in the U.S. on a wave of inexpensive military surplus SKS and AK47 firearms and caches of military and civilian ammunition of dubious quality. That flow has ebbed, but the cartridge remains, supplying an installed […] [Read More]
Smith & Wesson's M686-6 SSR Pro Part II
A week of walking around in the woods with the Smith and Wesson Model 686 SSR and I came to the brilliant conclusion that pressing it into trail gun duty would offer the most shooting opportunities. So there I went, up and down hills, putting tree stumps and pine cones, […] [Read More]
Smith & Wesson's M686-6 SSR Pro
A credo for gun owners might be, “If you can’t own a lot of guns, own guns you can use a lot”. Surely the 357 Magnum qualifies as such a firearm. Introduced in 1935 with the influence of Elmer Keith and Phil Sharpe, the 357 Magnum was a slow starter. […] [Read More]
Ruger's American Pistol Compact Pro Part 2
The Ruger American Pistol Compact Pro is a shooters handgun for all of the reasons noted in Part 1, summarized as the list of adjectives and accolades that follow: well made, reliable, accurate, adaptive, backed by a company that is customer oriented. Add a 9mm Luger chamber and associated one […] [Read More]
Ruger's SR1911 10mm Power House Part 1
The 1911 design has enjoyed remarkable longevity, primarily because good examples are powerful, reliable and accurate. The Ruger SR1911 is an exceptionally good example. Extensive personal experience with full size and Commander length SR1911 pistols, both steel and alloy frame models, has been universally positive. The 10mm Auto version is […] [Read More]
Ruger's California Friendly AR-556
Ruger’s AR-556 is a company milestone product. When introduced, its direct gas impingement design was Ruger’s first departure from the company’s gas operated, piston driven Ruger SR 556 and SR 762 MSRs and it was the first Ruger to be designed and manufactured entirely at the company’s Mayodan, NC facility. […] [Read More]
Ruger's SP101® Match Champion™ Part II
"New On Real Guns®, "Ruger's SP101® Match Champion™ Part II It's not just for fancy lads…" "…Measuring the SP101 for handloads, cylinder length checked 1.580". SAAMI maximum cartridge overall length specification for the 357 Magnum is 1.590", however, the 357 Mag headspaces on its 0.060" – 0.070" rim, so only a maximum of 1.530" projects into the cylinder, leaving a minimum of 0.050" between bullet tip and cylinder face. Most of my cast bullet handloads have a cartridge overall length, still leaving a solid 0.040" minimum clearance at the front of the cylinder. Cylinder to barrel gap on this particular revolver was a feeler gauge dragging 0.006" and cylinder to barrel indexing passed a range rod check with flying colors.." [Read More]
Ruger's Precision Rifle in 5.56mm Part 2
The Ruger Precision Rifle’s muzzle brake was removed and an Advanced Armament SR5 silencer was installed. A 14x C4 Burris scope was installed with an American Defense’s AD-RECON-S scope mount. Under sustained shooting during handload development, the silencer radiated view distorting heat waves and was removed. The mature cam-over mount […] [Read More]
Ruger American Rifle Ranch Thirty Part I
Summer is essentially over, visiting families have all returned to distant homes,, the neighborhood kids are back and school and Maine, once again, has fallen quiet. While lawns, woods and fields have remained green, overnight temps have dropped below 50ºF and the writing schedule, as far as the eye can […] [Read More]