American Tactical Imports recently released a new 6mm ARC rifle (Advanced Rifle Cartridge) called the Mil Sport. They lent me a sample to try out, and I was pleasantly surprised with the results.
6mm ARC rifle from ATI (right side).
6mm ARC Rifle Cartridge
This relatively new round came about in 2020 from Hornady Manufacturing. It is essentially a 6.5 Grendel necked down to 6mm or 0.243”. It is a highly accurate, low recoil cartridge and the bullet maintains a velocity exceeding 1000 feet per second beyond 1000 yards.
To chamber an AR in 6mm ARC, all one needs to do is replace the barrel, bolt, and magazine. The bolt and magazine are compatible with 6.5 Grendel.
ATI 6mm ARC rifle from the left side.
ATI Mil Sport
The rifle from ATI has all the trappings of a tactical AR when you take it out of the box. An MLOK compatible free-float handguard, 5-position buttstock, etc. The barrel is 18” and the rail is 15” in length. The thread pattern on the barrel is 5/8 x 24,” and it is recommended to use a .30 caliber or higher suppressor on this one.
Comparing the cartridges.
ATI builds an excellent rifle, and the Mil-Sport is no exception. I have watched this company grow and change over the years and am convinced that they put out a great product at a reasonable price.
I was seeing a lot of potential in this one.
Optimizing the Mil-Sport
Over the past two decades, the AR platform has become like the Chevy Small Block of rifles. You can literally build your rifle to suit your needs from the ground up or modify it to how you want it if you don’t care for the factory options.
ATI Mil Sport 6mm ARC Rifle.
ATI builds a good basic rifle, but I wanted to make a few modifications for long-range shooting.
For a free float rail, I went with a carbon fiber one from Tacstar. You simply remove the existing rail, and this one clamps over the barrel nut. It’s rugged, lightweight, and has MLOK slots and a forward sight rail. The concern was to eliminate mirage when shooting long distances in the Nevada desert. This hand guard keeps the rifle extremely cool while shooting.
As for a stock, I installed a Magpul PRS Lite. This is a simple precision rifle stock that mounts over a traditional receiver extension used on most ARs on the market today. You don’t need to switch to a rifle-length buffer tube or use some proprietary tube. It is 8 ounces lighter than the PRS Gen 3 and has the right amount of adjustment needed in a precision stock.
Another Magpul product I went with on this build was one of their new MLOK bipods.
Installation and Configuration
Installation took about two to three minutes. It’s all about getting the nuts in the proper position on the MLOK slot and then torquing it to about 35 inch-pounds.
Depending on your shooting position, the large locking knob beneath the folded legs allows you to pan and tilt. The legs fold down when you pull on them, and they will remain locked until you hit the release button at the top of each leg. They are adjustable to 7 different heights, between 6 to 10 inches.
Much sturdier than I anticipated, you essentially have the frame of an aluminum bipod covered in a shell of Magpul’s seemingly indestructible polymer goodness.
Accessories
Probably the most essential accessory on a rifle like this is the choice of an optic. This is dependent upon your usage of the rifle. You can go ultimate long range, something more suitable for hunting, or a little bit of both.
6mm ARC Rifle with its barrel forward
The Bushnell Elite 4500 4-16×50 Riflescope is an enhanced hunting riflescope with fully multicoated lenses. It is resistant to dirt, dust, fog, water, and most importantly, mirage. Rugged and lightweight, it is a perfect complement to the ATI Mil-Sport. The image quality is superb. It is hard anodized for corrosion resistance. The Fast-Focus eyepiece grants the shooter a super-fast reticle acquisition and clarity.
I mounted it in a 30mm cantilever mount from Wheeler that adds an additional 20 MOA for long-range shooting.
Lastly, I removed the A2-type flash hider and installed a Banish 30 suppressor from Silencercentral.com. This can is an entirely serviceable modular suppressor rated up to 300 Weatherby Magnum. Out of the box, it is 9” in length with eight keyed baffles but can be shortened by 2” with six baffles if you need to run it shorter.
Constructed of a titanium alloy, it weighs 13 ounces full length and 10 ounces in the short configuration.
The incredible thing about this can is that it is entirely user serviceable, and the individual baffles can be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner, by hand, or in a tumbler. The keyed and indexed baffles make reassembly a snap.
6mm ARC Rifle from the side
At the range with the 6mm ARC Rifle Round
Hornady was good enough to send some ammo. This was one of the major hurdles we had in getting this review completed, as all the stores are out of anything in new calibers, such as the 6mm ARC.
Let’s take a look at the round for a minute.
6mm ARC Rifle Cartridge Review
When I first saw a 6mm ARC rifle cartridge, it reminded me of a 6mm BR or a 7mm BR. These were old-time Bench Rest rounds developed 50-60 years ago. They were made from 308 NATO or 30-06 cases, cut down and necked down for a 6mm or 7mm projectile. They’re relatively the same size, and those rounds were powerhouses in their day. I had always thought that 7mm BR would make an excellent caliber for an AR. However, the much larger case diameter could have been a problem.
Those rounds were amazingly accurate in a bolt-action rifle or in the case of the 7mm BR, a single-shot Remington XP-100 pistol. What killed them was that they were wildcats that went mainstream to a degree but never caught on outside of dedicated precision shooters.
The 6mm ARC rifle cartridge has the full support of Hornady and is being used by a clandestine US military unit for its long-range power and accuracy. Plus, its ballistics look very promising for hunting. Despite that, I’ve seen a few pundits who should know better do nothing but complain about it. They make comparisons to rounds like the 243 Winchester and say it uses the same bullet. If you see these arguments brought up, the person is either trolling or is utterly clueless about the round’s mission and purpose.
Due to the length, 6mm ARC rifle rounds will not fit in a standard AR. Some manufacturers offer those chamberings in their AR10s, but that rifle is bigger and heavier, as is the ammo load out. There was a military reason behind this design.
Range Results
My first time out was at 200 yards, and my five-shot group measured just under an inch long and less than half an inch wide. I repeated this feat a few more times, but I wanted to see what it could do at long range.
Five-shot target group.
One of my local ranges has a steel barrel at 1000 yards. Over the years, I’ve rung the barrel with 338 Lapua, 50 BMG, 7.62 NATO, and 6.5 Creedmoor. This may have been the smallest cartridge I have ever put to that task.
The first 9 out of ten cartridges hit that barrel with authority. One of them either missed completely, or the acoustics of firing suppressed supersonic rounds threw me off, but I did not hear the impact. Still, 9 out of 10 at that range was not too bad.
Final thoughts
There are very few AR rounds that I love. 5.56 NATO, 450 Bushmaster, 300 Blackout, 458 SOCCOM, and even 22 LR are my favorites. I liked the 6mm ARC rifle cartridge so much that I’m considering looking into its parent cartridge, the 6.5 Grendel.
The Mil-Sport from ATI offers this exciting new cartridge in an accurate, affordable rifle. It’s an AR, which means you can tinker with it until your heart is content. The furniture, trigger, bolt catch, magazine release, optics, and everything else on the rifle can be replaced with one to your liking. ATI makes some outstanding rifles, and this is one of them. It’s a great way to get into this new round for under $1000.
One of the most complex writing tasks any serious gun review writer can face is a firearm with a venerable reputation for performance. Colt, even under its new corporate structure, makes guns that work and the Combat Elite is no exception. This is a fine example of a factory 1911 from the company that defined the standard for factory 1911s.
The top of the slide on the Combat Elite is non-reflective. Note the Novak sites—ideal for EDC.
Saying anything that hasn’t been said thousands of times before will be complicated.
To this end, I think I can empathize with the engineers at Colt. The Combat Elite must have begun with one of those board-room discussions where someone in either sales or marketing, or both, asked for something new in a 1911. I can hear it now—”We need something new!”
The old pony, still rampaging after more than a century.
New. The standard single-action semi-auto in its basic 5″ form is about as old as guns get these days. The only handguns currently in production that could remotely compare are the Single Action Army revolvers (also made by Colt). So how do you take something so familiar to your customers and change it in a way that would make it new?
The Combat Elite’s logo is laser cut.
It all comes down to looks.
Colt’s Combat Elite Government 1911 has a very distinctive finish. While most of the features are a step up from what you’d find on a bog-standard 1911A1 build, the first thing that you’ll notice is its two-tone finish.
And that finish is superb. It is electric. The ion-bond PVD finish on the curved surface has been sanded off of the flats, revealing the stainless below, and it provides a black/silver contrast that is really mesmerizing.
The color contrast provides a solid visual reference for the controls, too.
As a student of steel, I’m still not 100% confident I can speak to the finishing technique. I don’t believe the steel flats are brushed free of their finish, as the brush fibers would be too hard to control.
My assumption is that the high spots, such as they are, might be sanded on a 2 x 72 grinder with a fine belt. The finish shows really fine directional scratches, and—if done on a flat platen—it could allow for the control needed to cut such crisp lines.
The contrast of colors is very well executed.
Either way, the finish is exceptional—really clean, perfectly executed, and flashy. I say flashy. It is meant to be looked at, but I don’t find it to be as ostentatious as some guns with chrome finishes or gold controls.
Novak Night Fision. A long, low front blade with a glowing dot.
But what makes this a Combat Elite?
Naming products is really complex. I’ve been involved in the process with both guns and accessories, and it is damn near impossible to get good names to pass through the trademark protections process. So companies often end up going with names they already have protected, and I’m guessing that’s the case here, too.
The ramped rear sight, as many do, misses the boat for me. I’d rather have a ledge than a ramp, even on a carry gun.
There’s nothing about the look of this particular gun that speaks to combat. Colt has made some fighting 1911s—the originals, of course, but a lot of the single-actions with refined features are still in favor by those who want protective finishes, enhanced controls, and more functional sights. But this is a gun that is meant to be seen, not one that’s easily camouflaged.
Combat Elite Extras
Maybe after your eyes have adjusted to the glare of the finish, you’ll see some more Combat Elite features. This is a series, after all. In .45 ACP, or 9mm; Defender, Commander, and Govt.—they all have a couple of things in common.
The Combat Elite’s hammer won’t bite.
The controls are oversized. From the skeletonized hammer to the thumb safety, and the beavertail grip safety… they’re all what you would expect from a 1911 built for practical carry.
These are series 80 guns, so they have the mechanical firing pin block. This only falls when the trigger is pulled. A series 80 gun provides an extra measure of safety in the event of an accidental strike on the hammer (which sits right up on the firing pin when the hammer is down).
The Combat Elite, and all of the models in the series, are series 80 guns and are drop safe.
Carrying a 1911 with a round in the chamber and the hammer down is a bad idea, but that’s hard to communicate. That’s why we have the series 80 guns now.
Back on track… There’s one element of the Combat Elite that has to be felt. The checkering on the front strap is intense: 25 lines per inch. This gives a sharp and uncompromising grip surface. My 15-year-old, whose hands aren’t as calloused as mine, claims they draw blood. I love the grip texture. And the G10 grips are useful, too. All told, this gun shoots like a well-built carry gun.
That checkering. This is a glorious piece of work.
Shooting the Combat Elite
Running headshots from the holster at 25 feet. Rock-solid results.
The 5″ 1911 is my personal favorite for OWB EDC. I’ve carried these guns off and on for more than a decade now. While I’m not carrying one concealed much anymore, I still respect its potential. The 1911 earned its place in history, for sure.
From 25 yards, with a second more for aiming to reflect the practical distance.
Accuracy from the Combat Elite is respectable. I’m more concerned with practical speed, and this single-action checks those boxes.
The aggressive grip texture helps with the speed of follow-up shots. The controls are big enough to be almost instinctively deactivated during the draw. And even the top of the slide, which has been left black, cuts that glare.
The stainless mags are solid and well marked.
So how much?
The Combat Elite Government is not cheap. No Colt 1911s are, either in their build or their pricing. This one has an MSRP of $1399.
G10 grips and incredible checkering add to the ease of control.
Is it worth it? The quality of this build speaks volumes. My gut tells me the two-tone finish is going to polarize buyers, though, with the love-it and hate-it crowds being pretty far apart.
A few weeks back while at the local gun store, I spied something in the case that I wasn’t familiar with. It had the Smith & Wesson logo on it, but I’ll confess that I wasn’t able to identify the pistol. I asked to check it out and discovered that it was their CSX model, which stands for Chiefs Special X. Then the surprise — it is single action! Wait, what is this sorcery?! Who makes a new single-action micro-9mm that will hold 12+1 rounds??? Well…no one other than S&W. Suffice it to say, I took that little Smith & Wesson CSX home.
The author with the very compact CSX from S&W. The letters on the shirt (V4CR) stand for Veterans For Child Rescue, a very worthy organization run by former Navy SEAL Craig “Sawman” Sawyer. They rescue children who have been kidnapped in the child sex trafficking market.
Get a grip, man!
But wait, there’s more! It’s also an aluminum alloy frame! Things were getting interesting with this little pistol. And the grip — oh, the grip! It is seriously comfortable! S&W clearly took major pains to get the grip right. The front and back strap both have portions that are polymer embedded into the aluminum and that feel like sandpaper, which gives a ridiculously secure grip on the pistol. This thing isn’t going anywhere when you fire it, that’s for certain. Those grips marry your hand to the pistol, period.
I’m jumping ahead here a bit, but I want to interject that, during the range session, the sandpaper-like grip sections did somewhat abrade my hand. I won’t piss and moan about it because they did precisely what they were designed to do, which is anchor this pistol into the hand. As a disclaimer, I don’t have the soft, supple hands of someone who pushes papers all day long — I work outside in the elements with my hands, and they are relatively rough. So yeah, these grips are not messing around, they’re the real deal. If your hands are wet or slippery, these grips are going to bite into your skin and stay put!
The CSX’s grip is like sandpaper (front and backstraps) and will not slip in your grip! With two interchangeable backstraps to choose from, it’s among the most comfortable grips available.
To add to the goodness, the CSX comes with two grips, a Large and a Small. They can be changed out by pushing a small detent inside the base of the grip (a tool is included, although a punch works better). I tried both grips and the standard grip feels pretty good to me. They both are excellent in my medium-sized hands. I can tell you that the detent on my pistol is extremely stiff and it took considerable pressure to push it in enough to change out the grips, though I expect over time it will loosen up.
The Trigger
I’ve read a lot about the Smith & Wesson CSX (even before I bought it). I’ve also watched many videos, and they ALL have one thing in common: mention of the trigger. To be more specific, this trigger has caused more wailing and gnashing of teeth than a screaming, yowling chimpanzee that has been set on fire with napalm!
There seems to be what is referred to as a “false reset”, and it is causing tribulations in the gun world. Yes, I can feel it in my pistol when I let the trigger partway out. There is a small, subtle “click” that might lead some folks to believe that the trigger has reset and that they can touch off another round. However, it doesn’t work like that. On mine, you have to basically let the trigger all the way out before it resets with a positive click.
In short, there’s a little click followed by a big click. If you want the reset, go with the big click.
Is this a big deal? Not for me! The trigger reset, in my book, isn’t something I’m realistically going to be able to use in a real gunfight, should I ever be involved in one. Mind you, I have been in lethal force encounters during my career, and the amount of adrenaline that gets dumped into a person’s system is, in my opinion, going to negate any normal person’s ability to shoot using the reset. If you’re able to do it, you are a far better combatant than I am.
For a single action, the trigger is somewhat heavier than I expected. If you happen to be expecting a competition-grade, glass-rod-breaking trigger like you’d find on a competition 1911, then you will be sorely disappointed. It’s not on this pistol. Most people report a trigger pull of just under six pounds on the Smith & Wesson CSX, which isn’t necessarily heavy, but it certainly is not light.
There is a small (very short) amount of take-up, followed by a wall, and then a clean break. The face of the trigger also has a Glock-type safety lever, which, to be honest, does not bother me, as it is not in the way and really doesn’t affect the pull at all. Personally, I’m okay with another safety on the pistol, so it’s all good.
The trigger is also straight and flat-faced, which is a feature that adds to the comfort. As can be seen in the photo, there is a Glock-like trigger safety on the front of the trigger, which causes no issues whatsoever.
A closeup of the trigger reveals that it is flat-faced and includes a safety that closely resembles what Glock pioneered so many decades ago. It’s comfortable and works well.
1911-ish
By this time, you’ve likely noticed some features that resemble the 1911, namely the metal construction, the single action, and the bobbed and skeletonized hammer. Another feature is the manual thumb safety, which is akin to that of the 1911. It is also ambidextrous, which is another plus. It flicks on and off with an audible click and offers a bit of resistance, which I’d classify as perfect—not too hard, not too easy. There’s a detent that controls how hard it goes on and off, and Smith got it perfectly right.
If I had my druthers, I’d probably have made the safety just ever so slightly larger, but that’s just my taste. It works perfectly as they made it. Upon drawing, the thumb can easily flick the safety off with no trouble, so it works as intended. The shooter’s thumb does not have to stretch or reach, the safety is right there, perfectly accessible.
Here we see the Smith & Wesson CSX safety lever, which is very similar to a 1911. I wish it were slightly larger, but it works well for the task and offers just the right amount of tension. The magazine release and slide release are also visible and placed perfectly. Note the skeletonized hammer.
Another plus is the fact that the slide can be worked while the safety is on, so the pistol can be loaded or unloaded in a safe condition.
The slide releases (there is one on each side) are also ambidextrous and I can reach them with my thumb without having to shift my grip much. But since I’m a “grab the slide and rack it” kind of guy, I normally don’t use the slide releases. Still, it’s nice that they are there, just in case one of my hands is out of commission. It’s worth noting, too, that the slide releases are positioned so that it’s unlikely that you’ll activate them during a string of fire, even if you prefer to shoot with a thumbs-forward grip. On some pistols, this is an issue, but not on the Smith & Wesson CSX.
The slide releases and safeties are ambidextrous. Another plus is that the pistol can be fired without a magazine in place. Also, note that the rear edge of the ejection port is chamfered and melted so that it does not drag when being holstered. It’s this attention to detail that sets this pistol apart in many ways. Also note the large, external extractor.
Smith elected to use an extractor that is external and large, which seems to point toward confident extraction of spent casings.
Although the magazine release is not ambidextrous, it can very easily be switched to either side by taking out a screw. It’s mounted from the factory on the left side, but they include a spare one for the right side for people who are wrong-handed. The face of the mag release has the same rough texture as the front and back straps, ensuring that the skin will not slip on it.
The guide rod is also constructed of metal, which will undoubtedly please many users.
Magazines
Somehow, S&W managed to design this pistol so 12 rounds can be stuffed into the handle, and of course, one in the chamber. Don’t ask me how, because although the grip is hand-filling, it’s not large. The 12-round magazine has a sleeve device that slides and fills the gap between the baseplate and the handle of the pistol when in use. It does that job well enough, but the fact that it slides around is a pain, and if a magazine is carried in the pocket (which I do), this piece is going to slide all over the place, or completely slide off.
The 10-round magazine fits flush with the butt of the handle and my pinkie finger hangs in space below the grip when it is in use. When the 12-rounder is used, my pinkie has a place to land (which I like). Honestly, I’m not sure why S&W went this route; I think they should have simply made it a 12-shooter because the extra length of that 12-round magazine is only about 1/4 inch or so, and the space saved with the 10-rounder really doesn’t contribute to the pistol’s concealability, in my opinion.
That 1/4 inch does, however, give most people a place to park that pinkie, which we all seem to like. And for that, we also gain two more rounds. So I’ll be shopping for some 12-round spare magazines at GunMag Warehouse. Basically, I think they shouldn’t even bother with the 10-round magazine except in states that prohibit anything over ten rounds.
The entire pistol, including magazines, is finished in Armornite, which is all black and quite attractive. It’s flat black, but sports just the least bit of gloss and looks great, adding corrosion resistance. This finish actually permeates the metal so that, even if the finish appears to be wearing off, it’s still protecting the metal.
Smith & Wesson CSX Technical Specs
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 10+1, 12+1
Length: 6.1 inches
Barrel: 3.1 inches
Action: Single Action
Weight: 19.5 ounces
Sights
Both front and rear sights are metal (kudos for that) and of the 3-dot variety. Nothing to write home about, pretty standard, but they function just fine and are dovetailed into the receiver. For the progressive shooters, there is no place to mount a red dot sight at this time, nor is there a rail for mounting lasers, lights, and such. This is a minimalist, super-compact pistol.
The sights are pretty standard, metallic 3-dot type. Note the high thumb position – if the author grips the pistol like this, the slide will contact the inside of his thumb. Not a huge deal, just something to be aware of.
As mentioned, the sights are metal and their shape allows them to be used to cock the pistol if necessary using a belt, the sole of a shoe, or another hard surface such as a curb or table edge.
Finish
We’ve already discussed the Armornite finish, but I want to talk about the overall finish of the pistol a bit further. It is seriously nice! The ejection port is chamfered so that it doesn’t catch on the holster as you’re holstering, and is nicely done. In the same vein, the front of the slide is beveled for the same reason and will aid in holstering. All edges on the pistol are beautifully melted so that there are no sharp edges to catch on anything, including the shooter’s skin.
Notice the rounded, melted edges, which make holstering easier. A few decades ago, this feature would have been considered custom work, but now comes standard on many pistols.
The front cocking serrations facilitate press checks, which is a nice aspect, and are not abrasive, but they do offer a great grip. The rear serrations have the same qualities, but the very last serration on either side sticks out further than the others to form wings, which gives a little extra purchase when cocking.
Smith & Wesson CSX At The Range
Eagerly, I hit the range with the little CSX to see how it would act.
Several types of ammunition were tested in S&W’s new CSX Micro-9mm.
Not surprisingly, the micro-9 was a little snappy with the recoil, but I’d say not anything beyond what I expected. Although it let you know it was going off, the muzzle flip wasn’t bad at all and the sights returned to the target very quickly. I believe the felt recoil was largely a factor of the aluminum frame, which transmits energy as opposed to the Polymer pistols that we’re so often used to. You see, Polymer frames have a certain amount of flex when they’re fired, which helps to mitigate some of that recoil. To be honest, the recoil of this fairly small pistol was a bit less than I had anticipated.
The Smith & Wesson CSX acquitted itself quite well at the range. On top of performing great, it also looks really good! It proved 100% reliable with a few types of ammo, including Blazer Brass, Remington Range, and Federal HST Hydra Shock Tactical. Recoil was not excessive.
As for accuracy, the CSX is pretty darn good for such a little pistol. I shot a group at 15 yards that went into just over one inch, and that was in the first magazine that I had fired through the pistol. At 25 yards, groups did open up (obviously), but it’s still adequate for hitting a silhouette target. With that said, my eyesight these days (I’m a FOG — Fat, Old Guy) is the limiting factor, and the pistol will shoot better than I can wield it.
I decided to run a few simple drills with the CSX to see how it handled. Drawing from concealment, I fired two controlled rounds as quickly as I accurately could. Amazingly, I got some of the most accurate shooting of the day by shooting rapidly like this. Don’t ask me how, but that’s how it went — this pistol handles very well at speed.
Rapid-fire proved to be no problem for the little Smith & Wesson CSX. This is a reduced size target, not full size.
A bit more about the trigger — it really is not bad at all, despite what many reviews on the interwebs are claiming. Although it’s a little on the heavier side for a single action, it functioned great on the range. And personally, for a defensive handgun, I don’t mind a trigger that is on the heavier side. Though I don’t have a trigger gauge to measure it with, most people report that the trigger pull is in the 5.5 pound-ish range. As it is, I believe the trigger contributed to the accuracy I was able to achieve on target.
There were no stoppages of any kind on the range, and I used a few different brands of ammunition: Blazer Brass, Remington Range, and Federal Hydra Shock Tactical (HST) +P. All functioned perfectly. The HST, despite being +P, was not noticeably snappier.
Slide Bite
A few folks with larger hands have reported receiving some slide bite on the web of their hand when firing the CSX. I don’t have large hands at all, but I managed to get some slide bite of my own. My problem is that I like to shoot with a very high thumb position, and having that thumb up there caused the slide to come into contact with the skin of the base of my thumb. Simply put, I need to shoot this pistol a little differently, and it’s not the pistol’s fault — it’s mine.
That’s one thing about firearms and other equipment that I’ve noticed with people: often, it’s not really the fault of the equipment, but rather the user who then blames the equipment and decides it has to be modified, removed, or scrapped.
I think people need to shift their thinking and realize that they need to invest the time to get to know the equipment and train with it to eliminate the problems in many cases. While it’s true that certain parts may need to be replaced, it’s not always the case. We see it with triggers all the time — people claim that because a trigger isn’t two pounds, it’s garbage and needs to be replaced because there’s no way they can achieve accuracy with such a piece of junk.
To many of those people, I think to myself, “No, you just suck at shooting and you need to practice and master that piece of gear.” Investing hundreds more dollars in the firearm is not likely to solve their problem, (although once they spend the money, they’re often convinced that now they are good to go). Bottom line: you cannot purchase skills.
Holster
As I write this, there aren’t a plethora of holsters available for the Smith & Wesson CSX. Apparently, it’s still new enough that many makers haven’t geared up for it. I did manage to purchase one from DeSantis Holsters. I began using DeSantis back in the early 1990s when I began carrying pistols concealed. Over the years, I’ve used some excellent holsters from them and even have one or two from that time period that are still functional (although quite worn).
For the Smith & Wesson CSX, I opted for the DeSantis “Inside Heat” holster, which is an inside the waistband (IWB) model that I carry in the appendix position. It’s constructed of heavy, thick, stiff leather that maintains its shape very well. Around the mouth of the holster, it has a band that reinforces the opening and helps to keep the mouth of the holster from closing, which enhances holstering.
Within a day or so, the draw from the holster became much smoother and easier as I practiced drawing the CSX. In fact, I was amazed at how well and quickly the holster smoothed out.
DeSantis Holsters Inside Heat is a very sturdy holster with thick, stiff leather construction and a hardy clip. Here on the front of the holster, we can see the band that reinforces the mouth of the holster, keeping it open even when in the waistband of the pants. This is a very comfortable holster that does not dig into the skin when I bend over. The DeSantis Inside Heat IWB holster is very high quality. Here, the pocket clip can be seen. The flashlight is the Streamlight ProTac 1L-1AA. The knife is a Spyderco Native.
After carrying Kydex holsters for quite a while now inside the waistband, it’s refreshing to be carrying in leather again, for a few reasons. First, the handgun’s finish isn’t getting scratched up by Kydex. Second, the leather is a bit more forgiving and not as hard as the Kydex. The Kydex tends to jam into the skin when I bend over, which the leather does not do. This holster is surprisingly comfortable! An added bonus is the fact that it is made in the USA.
The holster keeps the pistol tucked into the belly nicely. The CSX is really nice to carry; not heavy, and yet very solid feeling. The short grip is a huge advantage for concealment.
In Conclusion
Smith & Wesson’s new CSX delivers as promised. It’s light, has an extremely secure, comfortable grip, and is 100% reliable. The little pistol looks great and has a durable finish. Accuracy is more than adequate for the assigned role. It’s pleasingly concealable.
If I had a magic wand in hand and could ask for any wish to improve this pistol, it would be this: make it double-action/single-action with the option of carrying cocked and locked. I feel just a smidgen more comfortable carrying a pistol in my waistband when it has a heavier first-round trigger pull. I realize that, to some out there in the audience, I’m speaking heresy and there are those who will call for me to be burned at the stake for it, but there it is. Not a huge deal, and certainly not a deal-breaker; just a wish. As it is, I’m going to carry it cocked and locked, especially in situations where I want or need a very small pistol.
At the time of this writing, I was able to score one for $529 at my local gunshop (I bought mine, S&W did not give me this one). All in all, if you’re looking for a very concealable pistol for concealed carry, the Smith & Wesson CSX will fill the bill as well as you could possibly expect. This one is a keeper!
Man, I love me some lever action rifles. I expect I’ve mentioned that before in other articles. But they aren’t exactly cutting-edge designs. My favorite deer rifle is a damn-nice 1963 Marlin 336, but I’d never expect precision accuracy from it. Well, in the video linked below, Pat RMG [YouTube channel] takes the new updated Henry Long Ranger Express to the range and gets some surprising results.
A half MOA lever gun? Come on, man…
The Henry Long Ranger Express
Henry has been building lever guns since 1860 and they’ve gotten pretty good at it. The Long Ranger Express is brand new, and like the original Long Ranger, Henry claims it delivers “bolt action performance with the speed of a lever action.” The gun features a six-lug rotary bolt, aerospace aluminum construction, a free-floated barrel, and a five-round detachable box magazine instead of the more traditional tube mag. The gun is chambered in .223 Remington/5.56 NATO and the barrel twist rate is 1:9.
Henry looks to have brought lever action design into the 21st Century.
The Range of the Future
Pat decided to investigate those claims and puts the Long Ranger Express to the test at a state-of-the-art electronic range in Tennessee. The range uses sensors to measure velocity and provides the shooter with hit data on an X and Y axis in real-time via a tablet at the shooting station. It totally eliminates the need to manually set and check targets, which can affect the breathing of a precision shooter. “Once you settle in at the table,” Pat says, “you’re settled in, and you can lay this on the bags and just go ahead and go to work.”
Now THAT’S a range!
Precision Also Means Finding the Right Ammo
Pat tried several different ammo brands and loads before hitting the sweet spot. He zeroed the Henry at 50 yards with some 55 grain reloads, which gave him consistent, repeatable groups.
He then moved to some 55 grain Tula, with less than stellar results. Pat says accurate hits at 200 yards were “impossible” with the Tula. He got similar results by just “slapping the trigger” and not worrying about his breathing. But to be fair, you kind of know what you’re getting with Tula.
Pat cycled through lots of ammo choices. He wasn’t impressed by the Tula.
Winchester White Box was next, yielding about 1.5 MOA at 300 yards. He got about the same performance from PMC X-Tac and Hornady Superformance 75 grain match. He was still looking for the right load when he decided to take a break and let the gun cool off. By that time, he was getting heat mirages off the suppressor.
The Magic Bullet
When he got back from his break, Pat went to some Hornady Match 75 grain boat-tailed hollow points (different from the previous Hornady ammo). He took the Henry out to 300 yards and the Hornady Match delivered a 0.48 MOA group. “The cool thing about this electronic, is you can’t freaking lie.” The rifle and ammo “got together and made absolute magic. Half MOA at 300 yards? I’m pretty freaking impressed. “
With the right ammo, the Henry delivered a 0.48 MOA group at 300 yards.
Pat says he didn’t expect the Henry to be that accurate, especially with a 400 buck 9x scope on it. “Maybe I had a really good day,” he says. He considered putting a more powerful scope on the gun to really study his shot and push the rifle, but decided he got good enough results to leave it.
The Magic Bullet.
More to Come
Pat bought a year’s membership at the range (I don’t even want to know what that cost) and says the Henry will go back for more. He also says, “I’ll probably sell my soul for more of this Hornady Match.” He might have to because that stuff ain’t cheap.
Pat promises more on the Long Ranger Express at the uptown range.
What do you think? Has Henry brought the lever gun into the 21st Century? Do Pat’s initial results interest you in giving the Long Ranger a try? Let us know in the comments. Happy precision shooting, y’all.
Most of us wouldn’t mind owning an MP5, would we? Be honest now. Well, our options recently expanded with the HK-licensed MP5 in .22 Long Rifle from Umarex. Umarex has a good reputation and their partnership with HK makes me confident that the new gun is a quality product. In the video linked below, YouTube’s Todd the Gun Guy gives us a quick rundown of the HK MP5 22lr Umarex features and tells us what he thinks of it.
YouTube’s Todd the Gun Guy says Umarex “knocked it out of the park” with the .22 Long Rifle MP5 clone.
Before we get into that, though, let’s take a look at the specs from the HK website:
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Magazine Capacity: 25 or 10
Barrel length: 16.1 inches
Overall Length: 26.4 to 32.3 inches depending on how you set the telescoping stock
Width: 2.3 inches
Height: 11 inches
Weight (empty magazine): 7 pounds
Action Type: Blowback
Trigger: Single-stage
Todd says the Umarex is “flawless” and that it eats everything you put through it.
“It is flawless.” That’s one of the first things Todd says about the HK MP5 22lr Umarex, so I’d say we’re off to a good start. The gun has pretty much the same weight and dimensions as the actual MP5 and includes some nice features. It ships with one 25-round magazine (or a 10 rounder if you find yourself unfortunate enough to live behind the Blue Curtain) which is equipped with a thumb assist. That’s a nice touch.
The 25-round magazine includes a thumb assist, which is nice. No word on whether the 10-rounder has one too, but it’s likely.
There is a right-side mag release button and an ambidextrous paddle-style release underneath, just aft of the mag well. Todd says the mag well is a little tight, but it will likely loosen up with use.
You can use either mag release: the right-side button or the underneath paddle. Not fully ambidextrous, but close.
It has the famous MP5 charging handle so you can slap it to your heart’s content, though Todd says the slap is more difficult if you mount an optic on the Picatinny rail up top. The gun comes with standard MP5 sights, so you don’t have to if you don’t want to.
You can use the included iron sights, install an optic, or both, as Todd did. Just keep in mind the optic makes it harder to do the cool guy slap on the charging handle.
The Umarex is classified as a true rifle, thanks to the 16.1-inch barrel and the telescoping stock, so no NFA BS. It’s also available in a pistol configuration, though with the current ATF shenanigans, it remains to be seen how that one will play out. The barrel is equipped with a faux suppressor, but you can put a real one on if you want. Todd just says it looks goofy because it’s a pencil barrel. You can also suppress the pistol version if you want.
The telescoping stock on the HK MP5 22lr Umarex is easily manipulated with the catch underneath.
The faux suppressor makes the 7-pound gun very front-heavy, but Todd says it shoots great. The single-stage trigger has some take up with a heavy wall. For all that, Todd says it’s a nice trigger. “I’ll tell you what,” he says, “this thing is a shooter. I mean it is awesome!” The price isn’t bad either, going for around $479.
The HK MP5 22lr Umarex is less than 500 bucks? Not bad.
“She’s a keeper in my book for sure…Umarex knocked it out of the park.” Sounds like Todd likes it. What do you think? Does an HK-sanctioned .22 Long Rifle MP5 for under 500 bucks interest you? Let us know why or why not. Happy shooting, y’all.
The BUL Armory AXE line of Glock cloned pistols hit the market in April of 2022, and the lineup in this series is certainly interesting. There are a ton of Glock clones, knock-offs, and wannabes out there. Normally I say if you want a Glock, then buy a Glock. As a member of law enforcement, I carry a Glock daily. The only complaint I really have about them is that they’re so dang ugly. Glocks are reliable and because of their popularity, they are also extremely easy to find parts, accessories, and magazines for. So why buy a Glock clone that is nearly double the price of a Glock? Let’s look at BUL’s new line of AXE guns and you can decide for yourself.
AXE Series by BUL Armory
I have talked about BUL Armory before. Made in Israel, they produce mostly 1911, CZ, and AR clones. Their line of weapons is on the higher end and the price goes along with it. When I heard they were producing a line of Glock clones I was interested to see how they could dress up the reliable but simple Glock.
What they have done is create a line under the name AXE with several models that dictates how much “custom” work the gun has. They have marketed them as the Tomahawk, Cleaver, and Hatchet. The “C” designation is for compact or the equivalent to the Glock 19 and the “FS” is for full-size Glock 17. The Tomahawk has the most customizations, so that’s the one we are going to review and take to the range.
Quick Specs from BUL for the Tomahawk C
Barrel length: 102mm/4.02 inch
Slide: Tomahawk serrations with a weight reduction cut
Steel 3-Dot sights (Glock dovetail)
Optic ready: Trijicon RMR footprint
Fluted barrel
Magazine capacity: 15 rounds X3
Weight without magazine: 560g
3.5 – 4.0 LB trigger pull
Available colors: Black (PVD) / Silver (Natural finish)
Integrated flared magwell with side cuts
High grip beavertail
Trigger Guard with a high Double Undercut
Reversible magazine release
Extended Slide Lock Lever (stainless steel)
Ambidextrous integrated thumb rest
Flat face trigger shoe
1913 Picatinny rail
Aluminum guide rod
Dimpled stainless steel pin kit
How does the AXE compare to the Glock 19?
Side by side, the AXE (left) next to the Glock 19 looks like an extremely upgraded Glock. The fluted barrel catches the eye right away, which can be seen through the cut-outs on the top of the slide.
My first question when getting ahold of the AXE was how much of it is interchangeable. From a quick field strip, I could see right away that not all of it is. The AXE looks more like a gen 3 Glock on the inside. It has a standard single recoil spring (not the double recoil spring like the newer Glocks). The slide rails on the lower frame are slightly different so the slide from the AXE would not fit on my Glock 19 frame. This however was a gen 5 Glock and as I no longer have a gen 3, I was not able to see if the AXE slide would fit on an older Glock frame.
AXE’s slide (right) does not have the double recoil spring and has just a few other changes from the Glock 19 gen 5 pictured beside it.
The AXE barrel is identical to the Glock, and I was able to swap them without issue. The sights, magazine release, slide lock, and the slide backplate all appeared to be interchangeable with Glock parts. The big question, and most important to me was the magazines. I like Glock magazines more than I do Glock pistols so being not being compatible would be a big issue for me. There was no need to worry however as Glock mags will work great in the AXE line of pistols.
Glock mags from my Glock 19 worked just fine in the AXE Tomahawk.
The most notable difference in the AXE frame is the checkering on the grip. The finger guard has a slightly different shape to it, and they placed an aggressive serrated finger stop on each side for the shooter’s support hand.
On the Range
The AXE Tomahawk did well on the range, but I was a little disappointed that it didn’t have just a little bit lighter trigger. The trigger pull was great but comparable to my Glock. For the extra money, I was hoping to have just a little bit lighter weight and smoother pull. It did have a little more kick to it than the Glock due to the lighter weight of the AXE, but this was expected.
The checkering and serrations on the gun were comfortable for me. A few other people that shot it said the grip checkering was too aggressive for them, but I like having something that gives me a good grip on the gun.
I fired all three of the 15-round magazines that came with the AXE and then used some of my 15 and 17-round Glock magazines. I never had any issues with cycling and the magazine release was very easy to find. AXE flared out the mag well which made mag changes easy. The AXE magazines have a wide base to they can be pulled from the gun, but they fall freely so I’m not sure there was a need for that. I preferred using my Glock mags in the AXE as opposed to the ones that came with it.
The checkering on the AXE grip was very aggressive but felt comfortable to me.
There are a few small things I would have liked to see changed but overall, I think this is a great gun. BUL Armory has a good reputation for making quality guns and this one is a looker. The cut-out on the slide reveals the fluted barrel, which is the Tomahawk’s best feature, and I even like the red trigger safety they placed in the trigger. BUL Armory offers the Tomahawk with a gold barrel for those who want a little more bling. Because it’s lighter, it makes it comfortable to carry and the overall look to me is appealing compared to a Glock. If you see one in your local gun shop, check it out and see what you think!
The new BUL Armory AXE line of Glock cloned pistols hit the market in April of 2022, and the lineup in this series is certainly interesting. There are a ton of Glock clones, knock-offs, and wannabes out there. Normally I say if you want a Glock, then buy a Glock. As a member of law enforcement, I carry a Glock daily. The only complaint I really have about them is that they’re so dang ugly. Glocks are reliable and because of their popularity, they are also extremely easy to find parts, accessories, and magazines for. So why buy a Glock clone that is nearly double the price of a Glock? Let’s look at BUL’s new line of AXE guns and you can decide for yourself.
AXE Series by BUL Armory
I have talked about BUL Armory before. Made in Israel, they produce mostly 1911, CZ, and AR clones. Their line of weapons is on the higher end and the price goes along with it. When I heard they were producing a line of Glock clones I was interested to see how they could dress up the reliable but simple Glock.
What they have done is create a line under the name AXE with several models that dictates how much “custom” work the gun has. They have marketed them as the Tomahawk, Cleaver, and Hatchet. The “C” designation is for compact or the equivalent to the Glock 19 and the “FS” is for full-size Glock 17. The Tomahawk has the most customizations, so that’s the one we are going to review and take to the range.
Quick Specs from BUL for the Tomahawk C
Barrel length: 102mm/4.02 inch
Slide: Tomahawk serrations with a weight reduction cut
Steel 3-Dot sights (Glock dovetail)
Optic ready: Trijicon RMR footprint
Fluted barrel
Magazine capacity: 15 rounds X3
Weight without magazine: 560g
3.5 – 4.0 LB trigger pull
Available colors: Black (PVD) / Silver (Natural finish)
Integrated flared magwell with side cuts
High grip beavertail
Trigger Guard with a high Double Undercut
Reversible magazine release
Extended Slide Lock Lever (stainless steel)
Ambidextrous integrated thumb rest
Flat face trigger shoe
1913 Picatinny rail
Aluminum guide rod
Dimpled stainless steel pin kit
How does the AXE compare to the Glock 19?
Side by side, the AXE (left) next to the Glock 19 looks like an extremely upgraded Glock. The fluted barrel catches the eye right away, which can be seen through the cut-outs on the top of the slide.
My first question when getting ahold of the AXE was how much of it is interchangeable. From a quick field strip, I could see right away that not all of it is. The AXE looks more like a gen 3 Glock on the inside. It has a standard single recoil spring (not the double recoil spring like the newer Glocks). The slide rails on the lower frame are slightly different so the slide from the AXE would not fit on my Glock 19 frame. This however was a gen 5 Glock and as I no longer have a gen 3, I was not able to see if the AXE slide would fit on an older Glock frame.
AXE’s slide (right) does not have the double recoil spring and has just a few other changes from the Glock 19 gen 5 pictured beside it.
The AXE barrel is identical to the Glock, and I was able to swap them without issue. The sights, magazine release, slide lock, and the slide backplate all appeared to be interchangeable with Glock parts. The big question, and most important to me was the magazines. I like Glock magazines more than I do Glock pistols so being not being compatible would be a big issue for me. There was no need to worry however as Glock mags will work great in the AXE line of pistols.
Glock mags from my Glock 19 worked just fine in the AXE Tomahawk.
The most notable difference in the AXE frame is the checkering on the grip. The finger guard has a slightly different shape to it, and they placed an aggressive serrated finger stop on each side for the shooter’s support hand.
On the Range
The AXE Tomahawk did well on the range, but I was a little disappointed that it didn’t have just a little bit lighter trigger. The trigger pull was great but comparable to my Glock. For the extra money, I was hoping to have just a little bit lighter weight and smoother pull. It did have a little more kick to it than the Glock due to the lighter weight of the AXE, but this was expected.
The checkering and serrations on the gun were comfortable for me. A few other people that shot it said the grip checkering was too aggressive for them, but I like having something that gives me a good grip on the gun.
I fired all three of the 15-round magazines that came with the AXE and then used some of my 15 and 17-round Glock magazines. I never had any issues with cycling and the magazine release was very easy to find. AXE flared out the mag well which made mag changes easy. The AXE magazines have a wide base to they can be pulled from the gun, but they fall freely so I’m not sure there was a need for that. I preferred using my Glock mags in the AXE as opposed to the ones that came with it.
The checkering on the AXE grip was very aggressive but felt comfortable to me.
There are a few small things I would have liked to see changed but overall, I think this is a great gun. BUL Armory has a good reputation for making quality guns and this one is a looker. The cut-out on the slide reveals the fluted barrel, which is the Tomahawk’s best feature, and I even like the red trigger safety they placed in the trigger. BUL Armory offers the Tomahawk with a gold barrel for those who want a little more bling. Because it’s lighter, it makes it comfortable to carry and the overall look to me is appealing compared to a Glock. If you see one in your local gun shop, check it out and see what you think!
When I saw the compact size of the Tippmann Arms M4-22 Micro Pistol in the gunshop, it had my full attention. I mean, this thing is small!! It has a collapsible pistol brace, and if that’s not short enough for you, the brace actually folds to the side! We are talking seriously compact; it will very easily fit into a day pack with room to spare.
The Tippmann Arms M4-22 Micro Pistol will easily fit into a day pack with room to spare. Several hundred rounds and a few spare magazines would round out the package. The Tippmann is on the right, with a Henry Survival Rifle on the left as a comparison.
And that is what attracted me to it—the ability to throw it in a backpack. It would be especially useful for hiking in the backcountry to have a compact firearm along without anyone knowing about it (unless you wanted them to).
Another thing I liked is that it’s chambered in .22LR. Many people fail to take the .22 Long Rifle very seriously, but it certainly can perform a number of jobs. Poachers love it because it’s relatively quiet and can take game at close range with good shot placement. You can carry a lot of rounds, too. It would be nothing to throw a couple hundred rounds into that day pack and go hiking for the day, secure in the knowledge that you have a nice ammo stash along for the ride.
Another huge asset is that the .22 is not very loud, so shooting is more pleasant. And of course, it doesn’t recoil much at all, it’s barely perceivable. And right now, .22LR ammo is far cheaper than any other caliber out there, so you can do a lot of shooting for a reasonable price.
It’s difficult to tell that it’s “just” a .22LR pistol from a glance. This little firearm is seriously compact and great for training.
Tippman Arms MR-22 Compact Pistol Features
The overall weight is 4.4 pounds. Despite how light it is, the little AR feels solid. It should, considering it’s made from Aluminum. Despite the fact that it’s chambered in .22LR, it feels like you’re holding a standard AR-15. Here’s a closer look at all of the features.
Barrel
The seven-inch barrel is made of 4150 solid steel and the gun has a 5.5-inch M-Lok Handguard. The barrel is not exactly heavy, but neither is it pencil-thin, so it has a nice heft. The muzzle is threaded for a 1/2×28 A2 birdcage flash suppressor, so any muzzle device that will fit regular ARs will also fit this one, allowing the user to tailor this pistol as he wishes.
The flash suppressor is standard AR, as are the threads so that any muzzle devices that the user wishes can be attached to the Tippmann. The handguard is well thought out. Flip-up sights round out the package (they’re very similar to what Mag Pul produces).
Controls
A nice touch is that all of the controls you’d find on a “regular” AR are also on the Tippmann. The bolt release, magazine release, safety, charging handle, and even the forward assist all function exactly as they do on a standard AR-15. That makes the gun really nice for training because the controls translate perfectly to its full-size cousins. I’m told that aftermarket trigger groups will also fit the Tippmann (although I cannot verify this firsthand, as I did not drop in any trigger groups myself).
The controls of the Tippmann Arms M4-22 Micro Pistol are exactly like those of a standard AR-15; safety/selector and bolt release on this side of the gun, as well as the charging handle. Here we see the magazine release is exactly like that of a “real” AR-15, as is the dust cover. The forward assist even works!
Sights
There is a full-length Picatinny rail on top, and the pistol comes complete with front and rear flip-up “iron” sights. These sights look very similar to those manufactured by Magpul. The sights are excellent and easy to adjust to get on target. When not in use, they fold down to protect them from damage and make storage easier. They’re easy to use, as AR sights are. One neat aspect is that there is a small, fold-down aperture in the rear sight, so if you want a smaller aperture, leave the aperture in place. If you want a ghost ring type, fold the little aperture tab down, which opens up the aperture to a larger opening. Very ingenious!
The flip-up sights are very nice. Here we see the rear sight, adjustable for windage. There is also a choice of two apertures; small and large. The large is of the ghost ring variety. Here the small aperture is flipped down, allowing the use of the ghost ring. This was a really nice touch.
Bolt
The bolt is very simple, and field stripping is a breeze. Just remove the pin in the lower receiver as on a regular AR and tip the receiver up. Then, withdraw the charging handle, which brings the bolt out of the upper receiver. To clean, wipe down and lube the bolt, clean the barrel and chamber area, and you’re done. That’s it, there’s nothing else to do. The bolt is nickel-plated, which simplifies cleaning.
Here is the bolt. It comes out of the receiver in one piece and is nickel-plated for easy cleaning. Field stripping is amazingly easy.
Pistol Brace
I mentioned that there is a pistol brace on this pistol. It is set up very nicely with four notches so it can be adjusted to four different lengths. It will also fold directly to the side of the pistol, adding to the compactness. Major kudos to Tippmann Arms for the design on this!
The brace can telescope, has four different locking positions, and will accept a quick-detachable sling swivel. If the brace is still a bit too long, fold it to the side for an insanely compact package!
Magazines
The magazines for the Tippmann are a marvel in and of themselves. Outwardly they resemble standard AR-15 magazines so it’s difficult to distinguish the two from each other. There’s a small tab that you push in the upper corner, which allows the user to pull the top portion of the magazine up, exposing the guts. The magazine can now be loaded by pulling two tabs down, which compresses the spring, making it very easy to feed the bullets into the magazine. After it’s full, just push the guts back down into the magazine body and you have what appears to be a standard AR mag again. The magazines are surprisingly robust, too. They can be had from most places for about $25 each, making them a very reasonable buy.
To load the magazines, the tab is pressed, allowing the innards of the magazine to be pulled out the top (both halves remain attached to each other). Here we see the inside of the magazine extended. There are two tabs with which the magazine spring can be depressed, making it very easy to insert rounds into the magazine.
As an added bonus, these magazines insert and extract exactly as they would on a normal AR-15. And since their dimensions mirror those of standard AR mags, they will fit in all mag pouches, facilitating training.
Magazines for the Tippmann Arms M4-22 outwardly resemble those of full size AR-15s, so they can be used with the same magazine pouches, which further facilitates the training role.
At The Range
With great glee and excitement, I retired to the range with my new toy to see how it would fare. Initially, the sights were pretty far off at 25 yards, so I took some time to adjust them and get it zeroed. It wasn’t long before it was perfectly zeroed and we were off to the races.
The Tippmann Arms M4-22 handled like a dream. The compactness really made it fun, as did the lack of recoil.
I had several brands of ammunition with me, as I wanted to see how the Tippmann functioned with a cross-section of .22 LR rounds. I started off with Aguila, which has proven to be a great shooter in my Ruger .22 firearms. Unfortunately, the Aguila would not reliably feed all the time in the M4-22, so I had to stop using it.
I then switched to Armscor and that was even worse. It absolutely refused to feed the little Tippmann.
After that, I went to the old stand-by, the gold standard in .22 LR ammo, CCI Mini-Mag, which functioned perfectly. I’d also brought a supply of Federal Subsonic 45 grain .22 LR, and the Tippmann also functioned perfectly with those rounds.
I spent a goodly amount of time trying out the various rounds, and it was frustrating that it would not feed everything. To be honest, my Ruger 10/22s and MK IV have me spoiled, as they have fed every type of .22 ammo that I could stuff into them with supreme reliability. Granted, when the M4-22 worked, it worked beautifully. However, the lack of reliability compared to that of my other .22 firearms was intensely frustrating. After all the hype that I’d read about this pistol being so reliable, this aspect was the fly in the ointment, as my expectations were dashed.
As for how the M4-22 Micro Pistol handled, it was an absolute dream! Being so compact, it was perfect for close-range engagements and the maneuverability made it a real pleasure to use! Of course, there was virtually no recoil because of the .22 LR caliber being used.
Accuracy
Once it was zeroed in, the M4-22 was extremely accurate for a pistol. Groups at 25 yards came in at around one inch consistently. At 50 yards, they were around three inches. However, I’m convinced that the groups would have been smaller if my eyes were not aging as they are and perhaps an optic was used. Suffice to say that this pistol is more accurate than I am and I don’t think any of our viewing audience will be disappointed in that department.
Accuracy at 25 and 50 yards was quite good and would have undoubtedly been better if I had used optics.
In Conclusion
Because this AR feels and acts like a standard AR, it is especially useful for training purposes. Overall, the Tippmann Arms M4-22 Micro Pistol is a very neat firearm that allows the user to train as if he had a standard AR-15 in his hands (minus a slight amount of recoil) because the controls and feel are exactly the same as a standard AR-15. That training will be far cheaper using .22 LR than with .223/5.56mm also.
The cool factor of the Tippmann Arms pistol is off the charts. The side-folding, telescoping pistol brace contributes to it’s excellent handling characteristics as well as the ability to take it places where a rifle could not go unnoticed.
Now, if they could just get it to function 100% with varied ammo, it would be a slice of heaven. If you can get past the ammo sensitivity, this might be the perfect small firearm for you. For me, it was a tough decision. I decided not to keep the Tippmann despite the cool factor, because, frankly, I have other .22LR semi-autos that feed any ammo that I run through them. MSRP at the time of this writing is $649.95, but they can be found on gun shop shelves for considerably less — mine was under the $600.00 mark.
Most of us wouldn’t mind owning an MP5, would we? Be honest now. Well, our options recently expanded with the HK-licensed MP5 in .22 Long Rifle from Umarex. Umarex has a good reputation and their partnership with HK makes me confident that the new gun is a quality product. In the video linked below, YouTube’s Todd the Gun Guy gives us a quick rundown of the HK MP5 22lr Umarex features and tells us what he thinks of it.
YouTube’s Todd the Gun Guy says Umarex “knocked it out of the park” with the .22 Long Rifle MP5 clone.
Before we get into that, though, let’s take a look at the specs from the HK website:
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Magazine Capacity: 25 or 10
Barrel length: 16.1 inches
Overall Length: 26.4 to 32.3 inches depending on how you set the telescoping stock
Width: 2.3 inches
Height: 11 inches
Weight (empty magazine): 7 pounds
Action Type: Blowback
Trigger: Single-stage
Todd says the Umarex is “flawless” and that it eats everything you put through it.
“It is flawless.” That’s one of the first things Todd says about the HK MP5 22lr Umarex, so I’d say we’re off to a good start. The gun has pretty much the same weight and dimensions as the actual MP5 and includes some nice features. It ships with one 25-round magazine (or a 10 rounder if you find yourself unfortunate enough to live behind the Blue Curtain) which is equipped with a thumb assist. That’s a nice touch.
The 25-round magazine includes a thumb assist, which is nice. No word on whether the 10-rounder has one too, but it’s likely.
There is a right-side mag release button and an ambidextrous paddle-style release underneath, just aft of the mag well. Todd says the mag well is a little tight, but it will likely loosen up with use.
You can use either mag release: the right-side button or the underneath paddle. Not fully ambidextrous, but close.
It has the famous MP5 charging handle so you can slap it to your heart’s content, though Todd says the slap is more difficult if you mount an optic on the Picatinny rail up top. The gun comes with standard MP5 sights, so you don’t have to if you don’t want to.
You can use the included iron sights, install an optic, or both, as Todd did. Just keep in mind the optic makes it harder to do the cool guy slap on the charging handle.
The Umarex is classified as a true rifle, thanks to the 16.1-inch barrel and the telescoping stock, so no NFA BS. It’s also available in a pistol configuration, though with the current ATF shenanigans, it remains to be seen how that one will play out. The barrel is equipped with a faux suppressor, but you can put a real one on if you want. Todd just says it looks goofy because it’s a pencil barrel. You can also suppress the pistol version if you want.
The telescoping stock on the HK MP5 22lr Umarex is easily manipulated with the catch underneath.
The faux suppressor makes the 7-pound gun very front-heavy, but Todd says it shoots great. The single-stage trigger has some take up with a heavy wall. For all that, Todd says it’s a nice trigger. “I’ll tell you what,” he says, “this thing is a shooter. I mean it is awesome!” The price isn’t bad either, going for around $479.
The HK MP5 22lr Umarex is less than 500 bucks? Not bad.
“She’s a keeper in my book for sure…Umarex knocked it out of the park.” Sounds like Todd likes it. What do you think? Does an HK-sanctioned .22 Long Rifle MP5 for under 500 bucks interest you? Let us know why or why not. Happy shooting, y’all.
If you’re into guns at all, you likely know that Wilson Combat is a name to be reckoned with. Bill Wilson, the owner, doesn’t play around when it comes to building quality firearms. Well, the Honest Outlaw, who I just learned is actually named Chris, had one of the four new SFX9 models on the range and gives us his first impressions in the video linked below.
The Honest Outlaw gives us his first impressions of the Wilson Combat SFX9. Honest. (Honest Outlaw YouTube Channel)
The SFX9 is available with a five, four, and three and a quarter-inch barrel, and the latter comes with a 10-round magazine. Additionally, the “X” type model has a full-size grip and a 15-round capacity. Chris has the four-inch version so that’s what we’ll focus on going forward.
There are four versions of the SFX9. Chris reviews the four-inch barrel version here. (Wilson Combat)
Wilson Combat SFX9 Specifications
The SFX9 is similar to the Wilson Combat EDC9, which I saw confirmed by Bill Wilson in another place, but with a solid frame, unlike other Wilson Combat 2011-style guns. Chris goes into the specs so let’s list those from the Wilson Combat website:
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 15+1
Barrel Length: 4 inches
Overall Length: 7.4 inches
Sight Radius: 5.6 inches
Height: 5.25 inches
Width: 1.4 inches
Weight Empty: 29.3 ounces
Weight Loaded: 36 ounces
Accuracy Guarantee:1.5-inch group at 25 yards
These are the standard specs. Wilson Combat offers other options that you can view on their website, including your choice of frame colors and trigger shoes.
The SFX9 has some very nice features with more options available. (Honest Outlaw YouTube Channel)
More Features and Initial Impressions
The weight of the gun jumps out immediately. Twenty-nine ounces for a metal-framed gun is pretty light. It isn’t steel, but high-grade aluminum. The grips feature the Wilson Combat X-Tac pattern, and the grip modules are replaceable. The gun has a low-profile mag release that Chris didn’t like at first, but once he started handling the pistol, he found it “really usable.”
The SFX9 comes standard with Wilson Combat X-Tac Grips. (Honest Outlaw YouTube Channel)
The SFX9 features the company’s “Bullet Proof” safety and slide stop. Chris says that Wilson Combat safeties are some of the best on the market. The gun comes with a skeletonized combat hammer. The slide has front and rear cocking serrations and the gun has a fluted barrel. “Looks [effing] awesome,” Chris says.
The SFX9 features Wilson Combat’s “Bullet Proof” safety and slide stop. (Honest Outlaw YouTube Channel)
The optic mount is cut deep into the slide so the optic co-witnesses with the sights. The sights themselves consist of a red fiber optic front and a blacked-out rear notch. One thing Chris doesn’t like is the red front sight combined with a red dot optic that has a small window, like the RMR. He says it’s confusing to see two red dots through the same window. He thinks the sight setup is just about perfect for no optic, but if he keeps the SFX9, he will probably black out the front sight too.
Red fiber optic front sight with a blacked-out notch in the rear. The optics cut allows co-witnessing. (Honest Outlaw YouTube Channel)
Of his initial impressions, Chris says that “I noticed already, just the quality of the gun. This is immediately so smooth out of the box. The slide is so easy to cycle, the safety is so impeccable, like all of the controls are super slicked up.” The trigger is a crisp 3.5 pounds that worked very well in dry fire.
Sounds Great but How Does It Shoot?
Now, if you’ve ever watched the Honest Outlaw channel, you know that Chris is a really good shot. I mean, I despair of ever approaching his proficiency with a handgun. With the SFX9, the dude was consistently ringing steel at 50, 75, 100, and 130 yards. In the cold and wind. I should also note that the SFX9 held a nice group at 10 yards, though Chris thought the zero on his optic was off just a bit.
Chris was consistently ringing steel at distances up to 130 yards with the SFX9. (Honest Outlaw YouTube Channel)
As noted in the specs, Wilson Combat has an accuracy guarantee, shooting from a bench rest. It looks like the SFX9 is meeting that standard. Chris held a 6-inch group, standing, at 50 yards. The gun is as accurate as he is. And before you start wondering about his ammo choice, all 100 rounds were remanufactured 147-grain ammo. No soft shooting match grade stuff in this test.
Chris loved the accuracy provided by the Wilson Combat workmanship and hand fitting, even with cheap ammo. He had zero malfunctions in those first 100 rounds. “First impressions of this gun,” he says, “are extremely positive and I’m happy that they are.” After all, the SFX9’s base price is $2895. And that’s inexpensive for a Wilson Combat gun.
The SFX9 is a very nice gun with a very high price tag. (Honest Outlaw YouTube Channel)
Real World Accuracy and Reliability
Chris likes Wilson Combat, as opposed to some other high-end guns, because Bill Wilson understands that guns have to function in less-than-ideal conditions. He doesn’t make “bullseye guns.” Wilson Combat guns just work. The tolerances are tight enough to provide outstanding accuracy but not so tight that they have reliability problems. They can shoot cheap or remanufactured ammo right along with high-dollar match stuff. Wilson knows that you might use his guns competitively or even to save your life.
Chris comes back to accuracy, saying, “this gun is extremely accurate. One of the most accurate guns I’ve ever shot, especially for a four-inch. A notch above, in my opinion, some of the other manufacturers in its class. Premium price, but premium performance.”
Chris says that the SFX9 is one of the most accurate guns he’s ever fired. (Honest Outlaw YouTube Channel)
Chris says he thinks the SFX9 is “not a first gun.” It’s more like a gun that an experienced shooter buys in order to have extreme satisfaction in a carry gun or to show off. Kind of like what Enzo Ferrari once said, he makes cars for young men that only old men can afford. That’s how I see Wilson Combat guns. As Chris says, the SFX9 is “Very accurate, very reliable, very fast, but very expensive.”
Chris is planning a 1000-round test over the next few months, so we’ll keep checking back to see how the SFX9 holds up. Do you think a Wilson Combat, or another high-end gun, is worth the price? Hit us up in the comments and tell us why or why not. Happy shooting y’all.
