Winchester's XPR Hunter Compact
The first centerfire rifle I purchased for my eldest son weighed 8 1/2 lbs and had a 13 1/2″ pull. A little tough for an eight year old to haul around the woods, but he did. That was in the old days when I told my kids to tough it […] [Read More]
Ruger's American Ranch 450 Bushmaster Revisited Part I
Ruger introduced the Ranch version of its American Rifle in September of 2014. The Ranch gave Ruger customers a truncated rifle with an overall length of just 36″ that weighs just 5.5 pounds. By comparison, a typical lever action carbine is 2″ longer and weighs a pound more. Initially chambered […] [Read More]
Winchester's XPR Hunter - Mossy Oak Break-Up Country
Steady downpour today, the “Rainy Night In Georgia”, Conway Twitty and Sam Moore collaboration kind of day. I was alternating between working in the office and managing baby backs in the smoker without the assistance of my youngest granddaughter who, unfortunately, headed back to Texas with her family last night. […] [Read More]
Ruger’s AR-556 Multi Purpose Rifle Part II
On the 223 Remington’s suitability for deer hunting… Davy Crockett is reported to have killed one hundred and five Tennessee black bear over a period of seven months. At the time, Crockett’s firearm was not Ol’ Betsy, but rather a .48 Caliber flintlock. With a forty six inch barrel, shooting […] [Read More]
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]