Marlin's .45-70 Government Lever Actions
The original Model 1895 design began life as a Model 1893 derivative, an L.L. Hepburn enhancement of his own rectangular bolt, closed top, side eject Model 1889. The Model 1893 enhancements featured longer cartridge capacity, a stronger locking bolt system, a revised two piece firing pin, and it could not […] [Read More]
AR Rehabilitation Part 1
The pictured High Standard AR has been with me for a long time, serving as the shop’s AR 15 test mule. Its internals are excellent, it is an accurate and reliably functioning piece of equipment. Head space is good, upper and lower fit is tight and the bolt locks and […] [Read More]
Thompson Center's Compass in 30-06 Springfield Part 2
The Maine summer has been hot and dry, following a cold and dry winter. The well is pulling ledge, I am way behind in house and shop projects and we are two months behind in timber harvesting. If I can just procrastinate another ninety days or so, the inevitability of […] [Read More]
Thompson Center's Compass in 30-06 Springfield Part 1
Thompson Center Firearms has always been the company that marches to the beat of a different trombone and in a good way. I have a Contender system from the early 1970s, I’ve worked with the Encore, Icon, Dimension, Venture, and Impact muzzleloader. All differ from competing products, from subtle to […] [Read More]
Smith & Wesson SW22 Victory Target Pistol Part 2
At a certain age, people around you tend to spontaneously form conservatorships. As an example, several associates determined that my cell phone was obsolete. Without my participation, a meeting was called, a consensus was reached and a replacement phone was ordered. Gone was my nifty clamshell with pull up antenna […] [Read More]
Smith & Wesson SW22 Victory Target Pistol Part 1
Added to the Smith & Wesson lineup on January 7, 2016, the SW22 Victory is a rimfire autoloader destined for popularity. Jumping ahead of the story to make a few salient lead in points, the Victory offers solid performance, ease of disassembly and maintenance and a modular design that welcomes […] [Read More]
Remington's Newly Released R51 9mm +P Part 2
Sometimes Real Guns feels like a small town newspaper. We write about what we think would be of interest to the neighborhood and we try to do it in a non-incendiary fashion. We don’t read big city newspapers to gather our opinions and we speak in a manner consistent with […] [Read More]
Remington's Newly Released R51 9mm +P Part 1
Handgun Company Remington Point of Manufacturer Charlotte, NC SKU# 96430 Type of Action SA Delayed Blowback Caliber 9mm Luger Capacity 7+1 Barrel Length 3.4″ Barrel Material 416 Stainless Steel Verified Rifling Twist Rate 1:10″ Slide Material Stainless Steel Slide Finish FNC Frame Material 7075 Frame Finish Matte Black Anodized Grips […] [Read More]
The Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 45 Auto Part 2
After being involved with firearms, shooting, hunting and handloading for so many years, you’d think I’d get the hang of things; pick up two pistols, feel their heft, look at the caliber and know how they will perform, how they will handle. Unfortunately, or fortunately, I am continually surprised. I […] [Read More]
The Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 45 Auto Part 1
I wanted to write about the S&W Shield at an earlier point in time, but S&W never seemed to stop releasing new models long enough for me to jump in. Two 45 Auto versions of the M&P Shield were introduced in May of this year, joining eighteen other Shield models […] [Read More]