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Shotguns have often been left out of the conversation when it comes to sighting options. The general discussion being a bead is good enough, and it often ends there. Shotgunners certainly know that a good bead can be valuable and useful, but that doesn’t make it the end all be all. Neither are rifle sights or ghost ring sights. While both have their benefits, they all have issues in the fact that they are iron sights. Much like handguns and rifles, optics are invaluable on shotguns, and with shotguns, the discussion revolves around red dots. 

Red dots are only the start of the discussion, though. Today we are going to talk about a few of the musings I have about shotguns and their optics based on experimenting, shooting, and generally trying to outfit my guns to the best of my ability. 

Why red dots on a shotgun?

Shotguns have not historically needed a fancy sight system. That’s why beads have always been useful. However, things, as the man says, are a changing. We are seeing the advent and extreme popularity of loads from Federal and Hornady that are extremely tight patterning. Federal Flitecontrol, Hornady Critical Defense, and Hornady Black have changed the concept of shotguns and the name scattergun. 

Sure, they still spread, but modern wad technology has made that spread occur at much longer ranges. At 15 yards and closer, it’s typically a 50-cent-piece-sized hole in the target. You aren’t aiming a rapidly spreading load of buckshot anymore, and the extra precision offered by red dots is valuable for both modern buckshots and slugs. Even if you stick to more traditional and cheaper buckshot, a red dot is handy. 

Red dots also make aiming faster and work in all lighting environments. They promote a target focus, which is fairly natural with a shotgun. You can stare at the target through the red dot, which is extremely valuable at close range. The ability to focus on the threat allows for greater situational awareness. Red dots are a natural accessory on shotguns. 

What kind of red dots are good for shotguns? 

Red dots tend to be smaller these days, but there is still a noticeable difference between an Aimpoint Micro and a Trijicon RMR. With shotguns, you tend to want to stick to pistol-sized red dots, especially on shotguns with more traditional designs. Traditional being a tube-fed shotgun resembling an 870, 500, or Benelli. When it comes to AR or AK-type magazine-fed shotguns, the size can vary, but our focus is more on the traditional shotgun. 

Smaller red dots offer lighter-weight designs that take up fewer rails and have less demanding mounting requirements. That’s nice, but the real reason we use smaller red dots is that they are less likely to get in the way, and we don’t necessarily need a bigger red dot. We aren’t using magnifiers and don’t really need the benefits of a bigger red dot. 

Bigger red dots tend to get in the way when it comes to port loading over the top of the gun. When you attempt to throw a round directly into the chamber, you run into an issue where big dots sit directly over the loading port and get in the way. 

Also, when a bigger red dot spills over the top of the shotgun, it can get in the way of your side saddle. Pulling a shell out can be tricky when you keep bumping into the red dot as you reload from the side saddle. 

Finally, most pistol red dots sit rather low, and with the traditional shotgun stocks, the lower the optic, the better. It’s easier to see while maintaining a good cheek weld and getting a comfortable mount on the gun. 

What reticle design works best for a shotgun optic? 

A simple red dot works just fine, to be fair. I would prefer one that’s at least 3 MOA, and bigger can be better for the rapid-fire, close-range domination shotguns offer. Six and eight MOA dots are not too big. 

To me, the best reticle is a circle and dot, or even just a circle. Holosun’s pistol red dots with the multiple reticle system are an awesome option. The 507C, 507K, 509T, and more have a 32 MOA circle reticle, and that’s my absolute favorite for shotguns. The primary reason is that within 15 yards, I know that every pellet of my Flitecontrol load will land in that circle. 

I have total pellet accountability with this reticle inside of 15 yards, which is further than the longest shot I can take inside my home. Other than that, the big reticle is easy and quick to see, and I know that as soon as I fill that big reticle with the target, I’m placing effective fire on the threat.  

Mounting Options 

The most common means to attach an optic to your shotgun will be a Picatinny rail. It’s the classic option that’s served us well for generations. It’s common and simple, and very effective. Most common pistol-sized red dots will have a low-profile rail mount that works decently. The downside to the design is that the combination of the rail mount and the rail itself will push the optic a little higher than what’s likely optimum. 

Picatinny works, but there are some better options. The second best option is the Scalarworks Sync mount. This mounts the optic very low on your gun and often replaces the existing rail or mounts directly to the drilled and tapped portion of your receiver. This situates the red dot quite low and makes it nice to use with traditional shotguns. 

Finally, the best overall option is a direct mount solution. This means the receiver of the gun is specifically cut for your optic’s footprint. Mossberg seems to be the only company making this a reality as of now, but it’s likely to grow in popularity. This removes the need for a mount and pushes the optic low enough that it can co-witness with your bead sight. 

Seeing Red

While you can probably get by perfectly fine with a bead sight, you shouldn’t have to. Red dots make shooting shotguns easier and faster, and they work in all lighting conditions. You get the precision of proper sights for longer-range shots without sacrificing close-range speed. It’s not exactly as simple as strapping any old dot on the gun, but it can be fairly easy when you put a little thought into the process. 

What do you think? Are shotgun red dots for you? Let us know below. 

The post Musings on Shotgun Red Dots appeared first on The Mag Life.

The 10mm is picking up traction again. Some are even referring to it as a “new” round because so many gun companies are producing new models in 10mm. Considering the entire history of firearms, the 10mm is relatively new. But it was introduced back in the early 1980s.

Several gun companies produced 10mm models early on and the FBI even adopted it for a while. But the high-pressure round caused too much recoil for most practical purposes. The most popular model back in the 1980s was the “Bren Ten”, a CZ-75 style handgun. Glock made round a little more popular when it produced several models chambered in 10mm. But like many other calibers, it just couldn’t hang on.

Until recently, that is. When most calibers don’t make it, they stay dead. But the 10mm was brought back to life and people began taking notice again. Glock released the G20 gen 5, Sig made the XTEN, which is a P320 in 10mm. And just about every other major gun company is now producing 10mm models. So, with all these 10mm handgun options hitting the market, it causes the curious gun browser to wonder, what is a 10mm for?

Hunting with a 10mm?

The biggest question I get from people is when this cartridge should be used. Is it better for self-defense or hunting? I’ll get the unhelpful answer out of the way first. It’s up to the shooter and what they need from a gun. There, that’s the neutral answer because some gun experts will say the 10mm is perfect for self-defense and some will say, nah!

There isn’t much debate, however, when it comes to hunting with a 10mm handgun. It’s a powerful round that is adequate for just about any beast you encounter in the woods. I have heard numerous stories of people shooting bears and dropping them instantly. In a few cases, the bear was charging the hunter when they shot in self-defense. This makes the gun perfect for hikers, campers, and anyone who lives near the mountains or large wooded areas.

The cartridge is picking up steam across the country, but it has been a popular choice in Alaska for years because of the power it harnesses when fired. Hunting with a handgun is a whole new ballgame in the hunting world. You must get closer and be more accurate with a gun that is not stabilized like a rifle is against your shoulder. But when you are within the effective range of the 10mm, it’s a great hunting round.

Because it is becoming more popular, the 10mm is earning its regular place on the ammo shelves. This means more options to pick from. Hornady makes a 135gr MonoFlex round that is reported to be a great hunting round. If you want more knockdown, you can go up to a 220-grain bullet too.

Self-Defense With a 10mm

This is the topic most debated with this cartridge. Some have the belief that larger, more powerful bullets are better for self-defense. I think this is true within reason. On the other side of the fence, people argue that a 10mm has too much kick for self-defense. With high recoil, it would be hard to shoot fast and stay on target.

And in most self-defense incidents, shooting faster is a necessity. The other issue besides the powerful cartridge is the size of the gun. Most 10mm handguns are on the larger side. This makes it difficult to conceal, and heavy to lug around all day. Another thing to consider is the cost of ammo.

If you carry a gun for self-defense, it’s best to train on a regular basis. This requires ammo and ammo is not cheap, but 10mm ammo is expensive. So how much are you prepared to spend on ammo for training? You will feel like you’re buying gold-plated bullets.

Even though I bring up the recoil on the 10mm, I don’t want to sound like it’s an unbearable round to shoot. It kicks a little more than a .45 ACP. That’s not so bad that it’s impossible to shoot, but some will struggle with it. This is the part where it depends on the shooter. Those who shoot a .45 regularly may not notice much of a difference. Others, however, will not like the kick that comes with the hotter self-defense rounds. But if you can control the recoil and don’t mind spending the extra money, a 10mm could work for self-defense.

Who makes a 10mm handgun?

Just about everybody. Highpoint is even producing a 10mm handgun. And no, I don’t own one, I just saw it in the gun store. I won’t get into the quality of various handguns here, but I have serious questions about a 10mm handgun in the $200 range. For those who like 1911, you are in luck. The number of 1911s offered in 10mm is growing. Here are some of the 1911s chambered in 10mm that I like:

• Springfield Armory: TRP Operator
• Ruger: SR1911 Target
• Colt: Delta Elite
• Rock Island: Ultra FS
• Kimber: Eclipse

If you want a semi-auto 10mm, you will have even more options. Because more people are taking an interest in the 10mm, new models are being announced constantly. Here are some that have caught my eye:

• Springfield Armory: Elite
• Smith & Wesson: M&P M2.0
• Sig Sauer: P320 XTEN
• FN: 510 Tactical
• Glock: G20SF

Summary

When it comes to self-defense, there are several factors to consider. The size of the gun, holster options, price, and the type of self-defense. Keeping a larger caliber handgun in the car for certain events makes sense. I would carry a 10mm for self-defense when hiking, camping, or going anywhere else where animals are a threat. As far as the ballistics go, a 10mm comes with a punch.

It has the power and there is a lot of defense ammunition available. This leaves me with the same opinion as every other self-defense caliber. If the caliber you choose will stop a threat, you can shoot it accurately, and ammo companies make defense ammunition for it, it will work. There’s a wide range of defense calibers out there and opinions on each one vary all over the board.

I have .380 pistols and 10mm pistols. I can see the pros and cons of each one so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all caliber. We have choices, and we can choose more than one. If you have or plan to buy a 10mm, it will be great for hunting, and if you want to use it for self-defense, it will work for that too.

The post Is 10mm for Hunting or Self-Defense? appeared first on The Mag Life.

Though we live in a golden age of fine firearms covering a broader spectrum of needs than ever, there are guns no longer in production that we miss. Let’s begin the Guns We Miss series with one that is little remembered today, the Colt Pocket Positive .32 revolver.

Why pick that one? The choice is surprisingly timely. In 2023, when this is written, the 9mm semiautomatic pistol has gone from being seen as a “weak sister” as little as 20 years ago to the dominant choice of both America’s police and its armed citizens, on the theory that modern ammunition has made it just as effective as larger caliber handguns. As the gun experts of yesteryear age and experience arthritis and loss of physical strength, less powerful handguns with lighter recoil are more appreciated. Some experts are now even comfortable carrying .22s. We’ve seen the .32 Magnum come and (almost) go, and its more powerful sibling the .327 Magnum hang on tenaciously, selling enough to keep them in production. Revolvers themselves are undergoing something of a renaissance in popularity.

A Brief History

The Pocket Positive lasted from 1905 to 1940. Mine in the lead photo is marked “.32 Police CTG” on the barrel, probably because gun companies have historically been reluctant to stamp competitors’ names on their guns. The cartridge it’s chambered for was the .32 Smith & Wesson Long. A time came when Colt convinced some ammo makers to produce that cartridge with a flat-tipped lead bullet instead of the usual round nose, and call it the .32 Colt New Police. Later Colt .32 revolvers would in fact be marked “.32 NP.”

The Pocket Positive was the improved version of the Colt New Pocket in the same caliber, of which some 30,000 were manufactured between 1893 and 1905. The primary improvement in the Pocket Positive gave it its name: Colt’s “Positive” internal safety design that made it drop safe, and characterized the more popular Police Positive in .32 and .38 caliber, introduced in 1905 also. The Pocket Positive externally was a much better-looking gun than its predecessor, with what became a Colt signature feature — a round cylinder release latch replacing the cheap, rickety-looking flat latch on the New Pocket — and a streamlined trigger guard that flowed more pleasingly into the rest of the frame.

The Pocket Positive was a true .32 frame. In barrel lengths of 2”, 2.5”, and 3” with an occasional longer one, the 2.5” seems to have been the most popular. If you look at the accompanying photos, the gun has the proportions of a K-frame S&W or D-frame Colt Detective Special with a three-inch barre … but the barrel on that Pocket Positive is 2.5”.  It seems in keeping with a gun that’s roughly one-sixth the size of its much more popular big brother, the Colt Detective Special, and is distinctly smaller than the super-popular J-frame Smith & Wesson.

J. Edgar Hoover was known to carry a Pocket Positive daily, nickel plated with a 2” barrel and grips of either ivory or pearl (reports differ). Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. carried one while playing a private detective on the old TV series “77 Sunset Strip.” Real-life gun and knife expert David Steele told me he frequently carried a Pocket Positive in “non-permissive environments.”

Shooting the Pocket Positive

Despite a barrel five-eighths of an inch longer than today’s J-frame S&Ws, the Pocket Positive hides better in a pocket holster. Its small, rounded grip makes it quick to grab from there. The pinky finger tucks comfortably under the butt when firing. My specimen has the exquisitely smooth hand-honed action that was standard in its day, a tribute to the skills of the people who built firearms in the “Gun Valley” of Hartford, Connecticut and Springfield, Massachusetts back then.

The sights suck, of course, a sadder hallmark of handguns of that period. The rear is a tiny V-notch cut into the top of the frame, and the round front sight presents an itty-bitty knife blade to the aiming eye of the shooter.  While this does allow someone with sharp eyesight to proverbially “draw a fine bead,” it takes time, and time is seldom generous to people who need defensive firearms for their actual intended purpose.  At close range, it works better to take a “StressPoint Index.” That is, letting the whole front sight sit atop the notch as you aim.

Recoil is pleasantly mild. Unfortunately, that’s because .32 Long ammunition is unpleasantly anemic. For years, the standard round was a 98-grain round nose lead bullet at a nominal 780 feet per second and generating only 130 foot-pounds of energy. The second most commonly encountered round is the target wadcutter, spec’d by Magtech at 682 foot-seconds and 102 foot-pounds and by Fiocchi at 100 grains, 730 fps, and 118 ME. These unimpressive stats are made worse when you consider the still lesser velocity from the short barrels of this type of revolver.

If I was to carry one of these for self-defense, I’d load it with the wadcutters. Even on the two-dimensional cardboard target, the full wadcutter .32 slug cuts a larger hole than the puckered entry produced by the old round-nose .38 Special lead bullet, which was notorious for creating puckered, icepick-like wounds that would mortally wound opponents but not necessarily stop them. Buffalo Bore makes a 115-grain hard cast flat-nose bullet at 800 foot-seconds and a 100-grain full wadcutter at 900, but those strike me as better suited for larger .32 Long revolvers than the relatively delicate old Pocket Positive.

Potential for Reintroduction?

Modern materials should allow for a .32 revolver exactly this diminutive size, but chambered for .32 Magnum or even .327. Yes, it would need a longer cylinder, but with a true 2” barrel instead of the 2.5” so commonly seen on the Pocket Positive wouldn’t be any longer overall. Recoil would be much snappier, of course, but compact neoprene grips of the right shape would go far toward mitigating that.

Today’s .32s, .32 Mags, and .327s are built J-frame size. A manufacturer would have to start with a new frame size to shrink those down to Pocket Positive dimensions. Would a one-sixth-smaller gun have that much appeal? With neither .32 Mag nor .327 having set the world on fire, and polymer autos being the order of the day, would a manufacturer invest as much as it would take to reanimate the Pocket Positive concept? Or would making an ultra-light version in .32 Long be enough, in light of current trends toward less powerful handguns?

The post Guns We Miss: The Colt Pocket Positive appeared first on The Mag Life.

If you’re an outdoorsman of any kind, a regular at the range, or just like a helping hand when it comes to seeing what can be too far for the human eyes, then binoculars are always an essential. However, it’s important to have the right specifications for your hobby as well as be able to withstand the test of time and a beating. If you’re anything like me, you dabble between several outdoor activities, so versatility is a requirement for a lot of gear. Recently I got to try out the Steiner Military Marine 7×50 binoculars, and they delivered. 

Specifications

Steiner delivers some powerful binoculars. These measure at 7×50, with a field of view of 302 yards at 1000 feet. But, to the average Joe, these numbers may not stand out. So let’s break it down. 

The ‘7’ is the magnification, meaning objects will be seven times larger using binoculars. The magnification being higher isn’t always the goal, as it can lessen the field of view (FOV). The FOV is based on how much of the picture you’d see at 1000 yards. Steiner’s Military Marine binoculars have a FOV of 302 yards (which isn’t too narrow or wide, it’s a great middle-ground). Overall, the magnification and FOV on these are great for general, unspecialized use (example: birdwatchers may want specific features for their hobby). 

The ‘50’ denotes the size of the objective lens in millimeters. Now, this can be a number that some may seek at a higher number because the bigger the lens, the more light can be taken in, therefore the better the picture. 50mm lenses are pretty big, especially for general use, creating a bright and clear picture. This can be great for multiple environments, including low-light settings which can pose an issue to some kinds of binoculars. 

These binoculars are really light given how strong they are. They sit at about 2½ pounds and are 6”x8”x12”. They fit comfortably in your hands without straining to keep hold due to size or weight. Even with my own smaller hands, I didn’t really struggle — and it’s important to note that I have run into that being an issue before, so it was a relief not to struggle with these. 

The eye relief is 20.2mm, which is how far the binoculars can be before your FOV lessens. If you wear glasses, having eye relief higher than about 15mm is best, so Steiner delivers a great choice for those who will wear their glasses in the field. Though I don’t need my glasses 24/7, I can vouch for this as I tested them both ways.

Features

When it comes to versatility, these binoculars are a great option. They’re up for the challenge of most environments. Resistant to up to 11 Gs of impact, the Makrolon housing is made of polycarbonate and NBR Long Life rubber. It’s even waterproof, so these binoculars can take a beating and will likely make it out just fine. 

Steiner also provides a camo carrying case making it easy to take these binoculars anywhere. If you need them readily available or would like to further protect them from falling during extended use, Steiner also provides a simple neck strap for the user to loop on. 

Keeping your lenses clear is so important but sometimes taking lens covers on and off can be tiring. However, with these binoculars, it’s not as big of a hassle. The objective lens covers are attached with a swiveling button, making it easy to flip them down in a pinch and then put them back on without digging for loose covers. The eyecup cover is loose, but in one piece it’s no problem to keep track of, especially since when you’re active on the field you probably won’t need those as much as the objective lens covers. 

Following moving objects is no problem either with the Sports-Auto Focus System. This allows you to adjust the eyepieces individually and keep that quality focus in check while you use it. So, when animals move unpredictably you don’t have to wrestle with the focus. 

Uses

I took these on a weekend camping trip and they were a perfect addition. Carrying them was easy and comfortable using the provided carrying case. It was nice to set the strap and forget it as I carried it cross-body on my hip. Hiking in the Oklahoma mountains, I took a rougher trail which took a bit more agility and rock climbing, and they never really got in my way. Cross-body bags can drive me nuts as I find they slide down my shoulder a lot, but I didn’t have an issue with that this time. Likely that was attributable to the size and style of the strap and being able to adjust it as tight or as loose as I need.  

These binoculars came in particularly handy when we wanted to observe wildlife. I saw several deer, hawks, and smaller birds on our hike. We even got to catch pictures of a hawk and its nest using the binoculars against my phone camera, which isn’t exactly what the human eye would see for several reasons but still shows some of the power these hold. 

These are great for hunting, too. I really had no problem following the deer I saw with my binoculars even as they ran up the mountain away from us. The same goes for the birds we saw; it was easy to find and follow them as they flew. The images I saw were clear as day. 

The binoculars came in handy when it got darker, too. The combination of the overcast weather and the sun already going down made me concerned about being able to use them. Lo and behold, they worked just fine for a while before it was too dark for even the eye to see well. 

The Steiner binoculars will now be staying in my car or on my person anytime I go hiking. They’re handy to have especially when you never know when you may want to use them. Driving through the countryside of Texas, there are plenty of hogs, coyotes, and deer throughout the year off in the fields that are a great sight. 

Steiner’s 7×50 binoculars will also be a must-have for my hunting trips for the same reason. They’re not too heavy to carry around and can easily take some tumbling in the woods worst-case scenario. It’s good not having to be concerned about a surprise rainstorm ruining them, either. 

The range is a great place to take these binoculars as well. Everyone needs a reliable set handy to check downrange during target shooting. And, if you don’t already take some with you, consider it. They can make your life a lot easier, especially when zeroing a scope. 

Warranty

Steiner offers the Heritage warranty with their binoculars. This is a lifetime deal where Steiner assures they can repair the product for free within reason. If it’s cosmetic, intentional damage, loss, or theft, it’s not covered. But if your binoculars break they’ll get you fixed up in no time. You don’t even need a receipt or proof of warranty. Plus, it is still in effect for future owners if you were to pass them down or sell them. In theory, these binoculars could easily be handed down between generations and kept in the same high quality for quite a while. It’s important to note this covers several of their products but this warranty specifically applies in the US and Canada on products made since 2014. 

Conclusion

Steiner’s Military Marine 7×50 binoculars were great to use. The only downside is the price is a little steep, but you truly get your money’s worth (especially with the lifetime warranty). If you spend a lot of time outdoors hiking, shooting, or hunting, I recommend these to cover multiple areas of interest. Who doesn’t need a reliable set of binoculars that you can take anywhere to do anything? 

The post Steiner Military Marine 7×50 Binoculars: See Anything, Anywhere appeared first on The Mag Life.

Flashlights are sort of like potato chips, in that most people can’t have just one. We might even go so far as to say that they’re addicting. Especially for the tactical crowd, who typically seem to go on lengthy tangents down those rabbit holes.

Anyone who happens to be “into” flashlights will be familiar with the name Streamlight. Since 1973, they’ve been bringing us lighting tools. Initially, they started out with only six employees, but that has grown to approximately 240 employees today.

Based in Pennsylvania, they are known for quality products that do not cost an arm and a leg and that are durable, while giving high performance. Known as a “hands-on” company, employees are active in many varied pursuits, and these experiences lend expertise when they’re developing and testing lights. For example, many Streamlight employees go through firefighter training and are hunters, fishermen, and outdoor enthusiasts. These folks know what we need in the field!

Today we’re going to take a close-up look at the Streamlight MacroStream USB Flashlight. What’s so great about it? We’re going to let you know!

Rechargeable Batteries — The New Wave!

Having to constantly replace and purchase batteries is a real drag and can become pretty costly for those of us who use lights frequently. I personally use my lights multiple times per day. They are an irreplaceable part of my wardrobe. With the innovation of rechargeable batteries, flashlights have benefitted immensely. No longer do we have to constantly buy and replace batteries. The cost savings can be significant for many of us.

A Caveat

While I am a zealous fanatic about my love for rechargeable lights, there is one minor downside. It might not affect everyone, but I’ll throw it out there anyway.

The issue can occur if we exhaust the charge in one of our rechargeable lights. That light must now be plugged in to recharge, presumably until it is fully charged. During that charging time, the light is out of commission. As such, the user probably should have a backup light source to fall back on. For most of us, that means buying multiple lights. That gives us an excuse to go out and buy more lights, which most people will happily do.

Is this a huge issue? It depends upon what we’re using our light for. If it’s law enforcement or Search And Rescue, it could be a huge deal. In such instances, having a backup is absolutely paramount. Those who plan ahead will most definitely have extra lights.

For lights that are just EDC-type items around the house, this shouldn’t be a huge issue, as it’s easy enough to have a spare light around the house.

Despite small inconveniences, the rechargeable nature of lights with their cost savings will still be wildly welcomed by most people.

Streamlight MacroStream USB Specs

The length of the MacroStream is 4.5 inches (11.43 Centimeters) and it weighs 2.2 ounces (62.37 grams). In short, it’s a small, lightweight light that easily clips inside a pocket. As far as compactness and ease of carry are concerned, they got this one right.

There is an internal, lithium-ion battery in the light. The body of the light is constructed of anodized, machined aluminum. The lens is polycarbonate. I’ve not had any issues with the lens scratching.

The light is tested to one-meter impact resistance. The aircraft aluminum body is protected by a Mil-Spec Type II anodized finish that gives it a nice, flat black appearance.

The LED light source is immune to shock and features a 30,000 run time.

A USB charging cord is included with the light. Or you can use any of the dozen or so charger cables that are likely around your home, leftovers from years of cell phones.

The switch for the light is a rubber-coated tail switch. The first push of the switch gets the user 500 lumens (2,000 candelas), while the second push gets us 50 lumens. At either setting, if you push the switch all the way in, it clicks and stays on (Constant On). If you don’t push it until it clicks, the light turns off as soon as pressure is released from the switch (Momentary On). This is, to me, the perfect way to set up a switch.

For a defensive or tactical light, in my opinion, the only way to go is the push button tail switch. The thumb automatically goes straight to the tail to activate it, and there’s no blind searching for the switch in the dark. The Momentary On aspect is also perfect; if pressure is released, the light goes off. These are both mandatory requirements for me in a tactical/defensive light.

A twist of the tail switch can lock the light out so it won’t be activated accidentally.

Run Times

• At the 500-lumen setting, the light runs for two hours.
• At the 50-lumen setting, the light runs for eight hours.
• Internal lithium-ion battery charges in four hours.

How To Charge the Streamlight Macrostream USB 

Speaking of charging the light, it’s a unique process. Pull the head of the light forward, and a metal sleeve slides forward to expose the charging port. Plug in the charger cable. A red charge indicator light indicates that the unit is charging, while a green one indicates that it is fully charged.

After it’s charged, just push the sleeve back down toward the light, and it seals again, making the unit water-resistant. The light is rated for IPX-4 water resistance, which protects from splashing water, regardless of the direction.

The Streamlight MacroStream Clip

The clip on the Streamlight MacroStream USB is stellar, in that it allows you to carry the light with the head either up or down, which offers versatility. I personally like to carry my lights with the tail cap in the upward position in my pocket because I find the light is in a good position to activate the tail cap switch as soon as I draw it.

One convenient aspect is that the MacroStream can be clipped onto the bill of a ball cap for hands-free operation. The light doesn’t weigh much and won’t drag the hat down on the user’s head, so this method works extremely well. On top of that, the clip can be affixed to any number of other pieces of gear, including pack straps and such. I’ve found this clip to be extremely durable, which is another huge plus. I don’t have to be concerned with it bending or breaking off.

Finally, the clip is removable, should the user decide to take it off.

What’s the range for this light?

Set at 500 lumens, the range of the MacroStream is listed at 90 meters, while at 50 lumens, it is 30 meters.

A little more about the beam. It has a main, focused throw that reaches out nicely. Then it has a wide flood, which helps light up the surrounding area. I like the flood because it helps illuminate objects or threats that might be nearby in the periphery. All in all, it’s a good beam that works well for many tasks.

Uses

In my opinion, this light is good for tactical, self-defense, and EDC (Everyday Carry) use. For tactical/self-defense, I like the fact that the first setting gets me the highest light output. If I’m trying to illuminate or blind a threat, I want that high setting right now, not later on. Having it as the primary setting is smart.

The fact that there is a lower setting (50 lumens) is great for EDC when we don’t necessarily need blinding light. Plus, it saves the battery, giving us many hours of light.

Will this light blind an attacker? Absolutely. Sure, there are brighter lights out there, but this one brings a lot to the table: it’s rechargeable and has two very sensible light outputs. It’s solidly constructed, as well. In an emergency, this light could be used to strike an attacker, as it’s built solidly enough.

One of the best aspects is that it is simple to use! There are just two settings, as opposed to other lights, some of which have a half-dozen different settings. Often, simple is better.

For navigating around the house or outside, the lower power setting works great, as it gives enough light to see up close, but won’t blast the eyes with night-vision-killing lumens.

To Summarize

Streamlight’s MacroStream USB checks off a lot of the boxes for many of us. It has two very useful power levels that cover defensive, tactical, Search And Rescue, and EDC functions, among others.

The rechargeable aspect of it saves us from going broke purchasing fresh batteries, so there’s a real economical aspect to it. And talking about economics, there’s the price, which, at the time of this writing, happens to be $57.99.

It’s a durable light as well and will stand up to an impressive amount of abuse.

This light covers a lot of bases for a very reasonable price point. It comes from a company that stands behind its products with a limited lifetime warranty. I have to say, the Streamlight MacroStream USB is one of the better buys on the market, considering what you get for the money. You need one. 

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Over the last decade, Vortex has earned a reputation as a venerable staple of the optics market. I was first acquainted with Vortex when they suddenly materialized in the gun store I worked at in 2012. I was immediately impressed by the clarity of the lenses on a set of display binoculars. In side-by-side comparison with other high-quality binoculars, some in excess of $700 at the time, I was blown away by the price-to-quality ratio offered. Vortex’s lifetime warranty is no slouch either.

I’ve relied on a Vortex handheld monocular for law enforcement surveillance for nearly 10 years without any hiccups. My Alamo Precision .308 is outfitted with a Vortex Viper 4-16x50mm while my patrol rifle is equipped with a Vortex Strikefire II. To say I’ve had some experience with Vortex optics is appropriate, if not an understatement.

Recently, I got my hands on one of Vortex’s more interesting entries into their optics lineup — the Vortex AMG UH-1 Gen 2 Holographic sight, colloquially nicknamed the “Huey.” I’ll admit I wasn’t sure what to expect when I received the optic. I’ve ventured into holographic sights in the past but primarily dedicated myself to the extended battery life and apparent simplicity provided by red dot optics. An entire article can, and will, be dedicated to comparing the two designs but is outside the scope of most folk’s attention span (I’m not exempt from this) and this review. Ultimately, the UH-1 is a well-designed and rugged holographic sight at a competitive market price ($600).

The Vortex AMG UH-1 Gen 2

Holographic sights are nothing new since the introduction of the Holosight in 1996. Vortex began their venture into holographic sights by adding the UH-1 Razor to their lineup in 2017 as a direct competitor to other holographic sights like those offered by EOTech. In 2020, Vortex stepped up their game by offering a night vision compatible design with the Gen 2 Huey.

The Vortex AMG UH-1 Gen 2 Huey came complete with an instruction manual and an included CR123 battery. Battery installation was quick as the optic offers a folding “turnkey” for easy battery installation and removal. While on the topic of batteries, I should address the elephant in the room as it relates to holographic sights: their battery life pales in comparison to standard red dots. Depending on brightness settings, a holographic sight will only get between 500 to 1,000 hours of life compared to the 50,000+ hours of battery life from red dot single diode emitter. This is arguably the biggest con of any holographic sight, but it’s offset by certain benefits offered by the holographic design.

The Gen-II has the addition of an “NV” or night vision setting that is compatible with most modern night vision optics. The Gen-II deleted the rechargeable feature offered on the original Huey. I attribute this primarily to complaints heard on the use of rechargeable batteries and the diminished battery life some users reported. Nevertheless, CR123 batteries are common and easily acquired at reasonable prices in bulk.

Mounting the optic to an AR-15 was a breeze as it affixed directly to a standard Picatinny M1913 rail via an adjustable tension throw level. The lack of screws to adjust tightness gave me extra piece of mind that it wouldn’t fly off under heavy use nor did I have to get the tension “exact” to ensure a screw didn’t work its way out.

Sight-in and Adjustments

Sight-in was a breeze as the ½ MOA adjustments got me on paper at 50 yards relatively quickly. The optic was easily sighted in at 50 meters which, in my opinion, is the far range for precision sub-MOA shooting with a red dot. The rifle provided approximately 1.5 MOA groups at 50 yards, which isn’t necessarily precision quality, but is good enough for the test at hand.

I conducted MOA adjustment testing on the optic to determine if the optic tracked appropriately. The MOA adjustment testing involved what I refer to as the “Box Drill”. For those unfamiliar with a box drill, it involves sighting the optic in on a target at any distance between 25-100 meters. The target has four additional targets positioned at the corners of the center target in a “X” pattern. Each of the corner targets are 4” apart from each other and exactly 2” offset by elevation and windage from the center target.

A properly tracking optic with ½ MOA adjustments, like the Huey, should require four clicks left or right and four clicks up or down to hit one of those corner targets if I’m sighted on the center target at 100 yards. It’s an easy test to determine if internal adjustments are accurate, affected by recoil, or the scope has another internal issue. In summary, the Huey tracked exactly as it should within the 1.5-2 MOA margin for error I experienced with the initial 3-shot group. With my concerns assuaged about the optic maintaining zero or adjusting properly, I delved into my stash of ammo for testing.

Housing and Sight Picture

The housing on the UH-1 appears well-built and the phrase “overbuilt” almost comes to mind. This is an optic I have little concern over being able to withstand impacts from heavy use. During initial testing, a thunderstorm moved in and soaked the rifle and Huey with a nice rain. This had no effect on the optic’s performance and it continued working without a hiccup.

The optic’s profile was compact despite its apparent size. The weight, at 11.6 ounces, was not an issue due to its location near the center of mass on the rifle. While not being the first to note this, the optic’s profile is narrower near the rear objective and opens up at the front. This allows the large optic window to nearly disappear during use and doesn’t appear to impede the view of the target. It’s a nice little feature most users may not notice unless they pay close attention to it.

Reticle on the UH-1

As a red dot enthusiast, I’m used to the vanilla sight picture of a single dot offered by the reflected diode. Put dot on target and press trigger is the normal prescription for red dot applications. However, there is substantially more involved when dealing with an AR-15 optic. The optic on an AR-15 is not mounted directly in line with the bore and requires significant offset from the barrel.

For example, a 5.56 AR-15 pattern rifle sighted in at 100 meters can easily maintain head shots on a silhouette target to about 15 meters. As the shooter moves closer to the target, where the optic is sighted in versus where the projectile goes, begins to deviate. This isn’t so much about the trajectory of the bullet as much as it’s about the offset (between 1.5 to 2 inches) between the optic and the rifle bore.

This is why, somewhat hilariously, I’ve seen officers shoot barricades and even vehicles during training because the optic showed a clear view of the target while the barrel was not cleared from the obstacle. In the real world, this can lead to tragic consequences if the shooter isn’t conscious of this. Case in point, a shot on a hostage taker at close distances requires the shooter to aim their optic above the anticipated impact point. Historically, this is achieved through repetitive training and knowing what the offset is at closer distances.

The Huey is equipped with Vortex’s EBR-CQB reticle – a 65 MOA circle with 1 MOA dot. The small dot allows for precise shots to the user and rifle’s capabilities while the 65 MOA circle makes for fast hits on target at short ranges. From my experience, the most beneficial feature this reticle offers is the small CQB triangle in the lower portion of the optic. Vortex advertises the CQB triangle as offering the shooter a quick point-of-aim/point-of-impact reference for the optic-to-bore offset discussed earlier at distances of 10 meters or less. Using a homemade IPSC target, I conducted drills between seven and 50 meters using the provided reticle.

At distances of 15 meters or less, the CQB triangle was a handy addition when performing precision “hostage taker” shots while the 65 MOA circle made getting the optic on target and scoring hits center mass an easy task. The 1 MOA dot made for easier precision shots at distance. For those involved in competition, defensive, or similar applications, this reticle design was easy to adjust to after years as a lowly red dot user. After several hundred rounds, the optic continued to hold zero with no apparent issues or malfunctions.

Final Thoughts on the Vortex AMG Gen 2

The Vortex AMG Gen 2 Huey is a fantastic optic on par with other available holographic sights. The diminished battery life of the holographic sight versus a red dot is overcome by the crisp clean image provided by a holographic sight. Even at its highest setting, the reticle didn’t “starburst” or blur due to the brightness as seen with some red dots. For those with astigmatism, a holographic sight like the Huey is an excellent option as the starburst issue of red dots is averted.

While battery life is a concern, the Huey features an auto-off feature where it turns off after 14 hours of continuous on. If Vortex is to improve on their design at all, I would suggest they include a “shake-awake” feature on the optic like other manufacturers have developed to automatically turn the optic on when the weapon is moved. This feature is neat, but also presents some issues in a military or law enforcement capacity where the weapon and optic are stored in a vehicle. The movement of a vehicle during a pursuit or other fast and furious driving could inadvertently turn the optic on. While I’ve been in a hurry to deploy my patrol rifle; the rifle is stored with a loaded mag and empty chamber. I’ve trained to charge the rifle, turn the optic on, and check the reticle to make sure it’s functioning with my previous red dots. I feel the need to turn the optic on is less of a feature issue with the optic than a training issue with the user. If the user trains appropriately, turning the optic on while deploying the rifle takes barely more time than is necessary to charge the rifle with a live round.

Ultimately, the Huey is a solid optic that I look forward to getting more time on over the coming months. I’ve been impressed enough with its performance that I plan to put it on my full-time patrol rifle for duty use. And, barring the optic spontaneously self-destructs, I anticipate many years of service. Overall, the Vortex AMG UH-1 Gen 2 Huey is another well-built addition to the quality lineup of Vortex optics.

The post Vortex AMG UH-1 Gen 2 “Huey” — A Versatile Holographic Sight appeared first on The Mag Life.

Taurus firearms are not new to the shooting community, they’ve been around for decades. From humble beginnings before World War II, Taurus has risen to be one of the top five handgun manufacturers in the U.S. and one of the three largest small arms manufacturers in the world. I had the pleasure of running into Kristen Alberts at the Taurus booth this year at the SHOT Show. Her name should ring a bell, especially for handgun hunters. Last summer Kristen, aka “The Wilderness Woman” hand-gunned a cape buffalo bull on The Dark Continent. So, it was no surprise we both ended up at their hunting revolver section where we were shown their new line of Taurus Raging Hunter revolvers in 460 S&W and the mighty 500 S&W. A couple of months back Taurus’s Brand Marketing Manager, Caleb Giddings asked if I wanted to do some wrist-snapping revolver content. Well, of course I did!

Features of the Taurus Raging Hunter 500

Based on their large-frame revolver the Taurus Raging Hunter 500 is hefty, weighing in at an unloaded 59.50 ounces. My test gun was the 5.12-inch barreled, all-business black gun. The barrel is somewhat slab-sided and contours in on the top and bottom, forming a diamond shape. It is ported to help reduce recoil. The unfluted, five-shot cylinder leaves plenty of steel around the chambers to allow for the heaviest of loads. The padded backstrap of the wrap-around rubber grips aids in cushioning recoil and provides a good gripping surface. The front sight is bold and 0.11-inch wide and the rear sight is sturdy and adjustable. The barrel also comes with an integral Picatinny rail to support optics if you so choose. Along with the rear cylinder latch, this big gun also supports a latch at the front providing dual-cylinder lockup. The heavy top strap measures 0.31 of an inch in thickness, providing a lot of steel for strength. The hammer is well-checkered, offering easy cocking for single-action fire and the wide trigger is slick-faced, offering a good feel.

The Cartridge

Smith and Wesson debuted the 500 S&W cartridge in 2003 for chambering in its massive X-frame revolver. The cartridge uses a rimmed case 1.625 inches in length with a rim diameter of 0.560. My Ammo and Ballistics 5^th Edition gives the 500 S&W a relative recoil factor of 2.95. The same book rates the 44 Remington Magnum at 1.45 and the 357 Magnum at 0.89, just to give you an idea of the sheer power of this cartridge.

The Good, the Bad, and the Recoil!

This is one big, tough revolver. I had no mechanical issues whatsoever. Truthfully, I wondered if any screws would back out due to heavy recoil. None did. I have one complaint about this gun. The single-action trigger is much too heavy to my liking, weighing in at seven pounds on this particular gun with a bit of creep. Personally, for me, that’s about four or five pounds too heavy. I am confident in saying that had this trigger been more manageable, my groups would have been much tighter than those I fired. If this gun was mine, I would have the action slicked up and the trigger pull lightened. I have handled Taurus’s Executive Grade Judge recently which has a really nice action on it, so I know they can do it. I think hunters would be happy to pay a bit extra for a smooth, crisp action out of the box. I have no way of measuring the double-action weight of this revolver. While it is not buttery smooth, it does not feel extreme.

Even though the Taurus Raging Hunter 500 is ported, it still produces plenty of recoil. This is not a gun for the novice. My first three-shot group fired with Hornady’s 300-grain FTX ammunition off my good Ransom Steady Rest produced a nice 1.67-inch group. Those three shots took every bit of concentration I could muster, and I lost my desire to fire two more for a five-shot group! The recoil from a sitting rest was not what I would call terrible, but I wouldn’t call it pleasant either. I have a medium-sized hand and have discovered that most double-action revolvers in their grip design pound the web of my hand when heavy recoil loads are involved. The wrap-around rubber grips on the Raging Hunter go a long way in helping reduce felt recoil.

I fired the Hornady group with a Trijicon SRO red dot mounted on the revolver but using it on this particular gun felt unnatural to me, so I removed it and will use it in later reviews. That’s no fault of the optic, just my personal preference for iron-sighted revolvers.

I decided to fire the remaining groups standing, using my Primos tall tripod trigger sticks to support my gun hand as I do when hunting. This allows me to absorb recoil much better and changes group size very little.

I also spread out my range sessions over three separate trips. The most I fired at one time was fifteen rounds. This let me concentrate on holding the revolver sufficiently while firing, along with concentrating on breaking the stiff trigger as best I could when the sights were aligned correctly on the target.

Buffalo Bore sent me four of their 500 S&W loads for testing ranging from bullet weights of 375 to their new 500-grain hard cast load. It’s no surprise that all shot well, and I consistently shot five-shot groups roughly the size of my fist with an occasional flyer. Their 18A loading performed exceptionally well in this revolver. This load consists of a 400-grain JFN at around 1675 fps. I was able to put three shots in two holes at 25 yards, standing and resting my gun hand wrist on my trigger sticks and gripping my gun hand as normal with my support hand.

Real-World Applications for the Taurus Raging Hunter 500

For me, this revolver is one I would sight in with my preferred, stout load and not shoot much with full-power ammo. I would definitely experiment with some lighter 500 S&W Special loads for practice and shoot the hot stuff in moderation.

The Taurus Raging Hunter, especially with the 5.12-inch barrel is an excellent candidate if one lives where the big bears roam. The same goes for those fortunate enough to live in or hunt Africa on a regular basis. This revolver/cartridge configuration is one heck of a strong candidate as a carry gun to be used against critters that can kill you. After an action job, I would not hesitate to take this revolver after an old, ornery cape buffalo bull, or anything else for that matter. Had it been available a couple of years ago, this is the revolver I would have worn while hiking with my wife in grizzly country.

If you are in the market for a revolver chambered for the most powerful commercial revolver cartridge on the planet, the Taurus Raging Hunter in 500 S&W is for you. It’s tough, accurate, and affordable. With an MSRP of $1069.00, I expect you can find one for under a grand. That’s a lot of bang for your buck!

The post The Mighty Taurus Raging Hunter in 500 S&W appeared first on The Mag Life.

There is something endearing about the Old West that continues to grip us long after it was won. Maybe it is because the Western was the movie of choice in the early years of Hollywood and the silver screen. Maybe it is because there are still parts of the West that remain quite wild. Maybe there is some intangible part of us that is seeking to be reclaimed. What is tangible is our fascination with Old West firearms.

While the big-bore single-action revolver and lever action rifle get most of the attention, the derringer was equally important. It is rare to see one portrayed in Westerns, yet the type continues to have its fans. Bond Arms continues to make quality double-barreled derringers for serious work. But to compare their pistols to elderly guns like the Remington Model 95 is like comparing a hardcover and a paperback. Bond guns stay true to the old design, but they are stainless steel tanks meant to handle heavy loads. While I was always impressed with their quality, the idea of packing a two-shot derringer that was so heavy did not appeal to me. That was until Bond debuted their Stinger and Stinger RS series of pistols.

The Stinger and the Stinger RS

The Bond Arms Stinger had a soft release in 2020 and has since entered full production. It is an aluminum-framed double-barrel chambered in .380 ACP, .38 Special, and 9mm Luger. The Stinger also uses a frame and barrel assembly that is roughly half the thickness of standard Bond pistols. All changes considered, the Stinger comes in at only 12 ounces. Although the Stinger is still limited to two rounds of ammunition, its size and weight put it in the ballpark of smaller micro .380 ACP pistols that are on the market.

In 2022, the Stinger RS was released. The chief difference between the Stinger and the Stinger RS is that the RS model is all-stainless steel like most Bond guns. The RS is cheaper to produce but retains some of the weight savings of the original Stinger. The Stinger RS is available in the same calibers but also includes a model chambered in .22 Long Rifle. As it happens, Bond also markets the Bark, a beefier .22 model that has a more traditional look. In the end, I chose Stinger RS.

Features

When I first took the Stinger RS to the range, one of the safety officers giggled and commented on my cool gambler’s gun. Clearly, she was a fan of Westerns. The RS does look and operate a lot like those old Remington derringers that occasionally pop up in the hands of gamblers and prostitutes on the silver screen. The RS’s large hammer, bird’s head grip, and distinctive double-barrel assembly clearly mark it as a derringer. The pistol is operated by a barrel release on the left side. With the right thumb, push the release down and tip the barrel out to load. The RS has a manual thumb extractor used to extract the empty cases. The sights consist of a blade milled into the barrel assembly for a front sight. The rear sight is the barrel hinge.

Unlike derringers of the old style, the RS is drop safe. It has a hammer that rebounds to the half-cock position after each shot. The hammer cannot go fully forward unless the trigger is pressed. Like other Bond Arms derringers, the RS has an additional cross-bolt safety. The safety can be fixed in place in either the safe or fire position by opening the pistol and tightening a hex screw set into the breech face. Most Bond Arms derringers come with a traditional spur trigger paired with a removable trigger guard. The Stinger’s trigger guard is integral to the frame.

In terms of construction, the RS is all-stainless steel and comes with a pair of thin, Zytec grips. Fully loaded, the Stinger RS weighs in at 18.2 ounces. It has a barrel length of three inches and an overall length of five. With grips included, the maximum thickness of the Stinger comes in at only ¾ inch.

Little Gun, Big Performance

The smaller a pistol is, the harder it is to shoot accurately. Derringers are the archetypical get off me gun. You get two rounds to deploy at contact distance. All you have to do is cock the hammer and press the trigger. The Bond Arms Stinger RS certainly is not a target pistol. The grip is just large enough to wrap two fingers around. The sight picture is fixed and both the front and rear sight are matte gray. It has two barrels with two theoretically different points of impact at different distances. It is also a two-shot .22. That is not much firepower. But the Bond Arms Stinger RS is one of the most shootable pocket pistols I have fired. It is a solid-performing gun whose simple, corrosion-resistant design can lend itself well to a number of different tasks.

Loading and unloading the Bond Arms Stinger RS is as simple as any double-barreled derringer. Thumb down the barrel release lever and tip the barrel up over its hinge to expose the chambers for loading. Unloading is accomplished in the same way, but the spent cases are pushed out with a thumb-activated extractor. Oftentimes, you will have to pluck the empty cases the rest of the way out of their chambers to clear them for reloading. While you can head to the range with a pocket full of shells to do your loading, I used Bianchi .22 caliber Speed Strips for reloading by stripping the rounds into both chambers at once. That makes the reload marginally faster and more convenient.

With the pistol loaded, you can elect to apply the thumb safety. Push to the right for fire, push to the left for safe. The safety is a simple hammer block that prevents the hammer from smacking the firing pins, even with the trigger pulled. Unfortunately, the small size of the pistol combined with my meaty hands meant I occasionally bumped the safety on when I meant to fire. Fortunately, the Stinger has a set screw in the breech face that can be tightened down with an included Allen key. It can lock the safety in the safe position or the fire position. From the fire position, the hammer must be cocked to fire the pistol. You can select which barrel to fire by noting the position of the spring-loaded plunger on the left side of the hammer. When the top barrel is selected, the plunger is clearly visible. When the bottom barrel is selected, the plunger is depressed. From the cocked position, you can then fire your rounds and reload.

I put over 300 rounds of ammunition through the Bond Arms Stinger RS over the course of a few range trips. The pistol digested its fair share of premium CCI and Federal loads as well as dud-tastic loads like Winchester Super X and Remington Thunderbolts. Since you do the cycling and ejecting, I had no failures on this front. I did not have any dud rounds either. The Bond is simply too simple to fail and it shot surprisingly well both on paper and on steel.

The sights are low and immovable, but the front sight is narrow enough to easily pick up on the exact spot on a target. The trigger pull has a stiff wall with no take-up that broke clean out of the box at 5 lbs. It lessened greatly to about 3½ pounds with use. The lack of grip surface is usually a problem when shooting pocket pistols, but with the sedate recoil of the .22 LR, it is not an issue. Indeed, it was easy to get a high grip and place my shooting thumbs on the barrel for a very steady two-handed hold. The reciprocating slide or rotating cylinder on other guns would not allow such a stable hold.

The fixed trigger guard is not authentic to an original derringer, but it does give your trigger finger a place to rest while you work leverage to cock the hammer between shots. It was not difficult to get rounds on target in a hurry. At 10 yards, I could reliably put six rounds of CCI Mini Mag 40-grain ammunition in groups that were just over 1 inch in diameter. I got similar results with Federal Target loads. However, Federal Subsonic 45-grain loads widened the pattern to about five inches. Some ammo will agree with some guns. Do your homework!

Using the Mini Mag load, I tested each barrel for point of impact by firing six rounds through the top barrel and six rounds through the bottom barrel. The top barrel hit to the point of aim. The bottom barrel printed one inch low and one inch to the left. But firing both barrels together, there was no difference I could discern. Undaunted, I stepped back to see how often I could pop a 1/3 steel torso at 35 yards. Both barrels hit decisively. Any misses were on me and my ongoing caffeine withdrawals.

Parting Shots

I am no stranger to .22 handguns. There are plenty of options out there, whether you want a fun gun, a recreational game-getter, or a deep-cover defensive option. Chances are that a two-shot Bond Arms derringer is not going to be your first choice. I thought the same until I gave the Stinger RS a chance and put it into the context of its competing options.

From a defensive perspective, I would rather have a five-shot NAA Mini Revolver or a Ruger LCP II with 10 rounds of the same ammunition. But if they cannot be manipulated easily or are unreliable, those extra rounds do not matter. For what it is, the Bond is utterly reliable and easy to shoot. Its flat profile and grip also do wonders in breaking up the gun outline in a pant pocket.

The case for the Bond gets much stronger if you treat it as a general tool. On paper, the accuracy is more than enough to bag a grouse or ward off a coyote. At the very least, you won’t feel sorry for the Stinger if it is in the wet outer pockets of your hunting coveralls or hibernating in a tackle box on a boat. The simple stainless-steel construction is tolerant of neglect other rimfire guns cannot handle. The Bond Arms Stinger RS is a niche gun to be sure, but one that has its uses and is surprisingly fun to shoot.

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