Gun Reviews

Have you ever looked at your .300BLK and thought it’s just a little too big or a little too loud? Not super likely, but Sig has an option for you anyway. Garand Thumb takes a deep look into the Sig MCX Rattler, (or in the gamer realm—the M13), and tells you why you should consider this one.

The Sig MCX Rattler is essentially a .300BLK on an M4 platform, with all the controls being virtually the same. With the same controls and functions, the Sig MCX is an easy-to-learn rifle, according to Garand. His thought is that some version of this weapon will be the next one adopted by the military.

He starts by going over the technical details of the rifle. It has a very short 5.5” barrel. With being that length, Garand says that the fired round only touches a little over 3” of the barrel. It’s a short-stroke gas-piston-operated platform that is very similar in design to an AR18.

Sig MCX Rattler — Review

Modularity

They feel that the system is very cool. They say that there isn’t anything exactly new about the MCX, it’s built off the existing systems that already work. They, Garand and Sean, say that the weapon is very prevalent in video games due to the modularity of the system. You can take the rifle as is, or you can swap out just about everything on it, from the rails to charging handles to buffer tubes and it will still run without hiccups. When it’s compared to an AR15, this one is built from the ground up to be modular.

Suppressor Recommendations

With the rifle being from Sig, you’ll probably use a Sig suppressor on it, but regardless of what you choose, Garand recommends using a direct thread. The rail that comes with the rifle is short and he chose to install a longer rail to one that covers the suppressor. His main comment with that is that it helps keep the barrel from flexing if you happen to be leaning up against something while shooting, which we all know will damage the system if you do that.

Gas Block Access

Even with a longer rail, which gives you more accessory mounting options, it doesn’t interfere with the system or the ability to access the adjustable gas block. That’s right, there is an adjustable gas block built into the system that can be adjusted for rate of fire, gas bleed on the system, or what have you, all on the fly. Not only that but there are markings on the receiver itself to tell you which way to turn for adjustments. They both say that feature makes the weapon “Army proof”.

.300 BLK

While the 5.5” barrel isn’t ideal for a .300BLK, it is very reliable. The point that Garand keeps coming back to is that the weapon is super modular. The rifle can shoot both sub- or supersonic rounds, all with minor adjustments from the aforementioned gas block. He really likes the .300BLK round and this rifle, even if the round doesn’t always have the range when compared to a 5.56. He thinks that it is a great military rifle with a gentle recoil and is extremely quiet when shot suppressed. The sound of the round hitting the target is actually louder than the cycling of the rifle.

Recoil and Blowback

The rifle also does a great job of dissipating the gas within the system. It’s funneled back and then down into the mag well. With very little blowback in the face, it’s very enjoyable to shoot. With the dissipation, the recoil is very insignificant. Piston guns generally have more recoil, just because of the design, but this one is very gentle.

Garand does mention a couple of things that he didn’t like:

1. The brass deflector is made from polymer. This is a problem in the long run as it will get eaten up by ejected casings and will probably need replacement.

2. Subsonic rounds don’t run well through non-.300BLK magazines. He recommends either Lancer or Magpul mags.

Garand rounds out the review with talk of the stock. The stock attaches at a 1913 rail, giving way to plenty of options. With the collapsible stock, it’s only 16” without the suppressor and very concealable under a car seat or bugout bag. Like everything else on this weapon, it is
simple and very easy to swap things out.

Garand, and Sean, close out the video by saying that it’s a very cool gun that is super fun to shoot. But just like with any weapon, you need to train with what you have, saying: “All cool dudes get training”.

This is GunMag Warehouse, and it’s always interesting to cover different things about magazines. Often, mags are an untouched topic in terms of historical analysis and coverage. So, combining my interest in magazines with my interest in weird stuff, I found a few weird magazine designs to cover here. I’m specifically going to talk about weird magazine designs that are removable because if we also cover fixed mags it might get a bit long.

Rotary — The Most Common Weird Magazine

The first rotary magazine was patented in 1856, and as far as weird magazine designs go, this is one of the most common. Well, one of the most commonly produced for a specific popular firearm. The famed Ruger 10/22 utilizes a rotary magazine. The Johnson rifle used a fixed rotary mag, and the Savage Model 1892 also used a rotary mag.

This weird magazine uses a cylindrical sprocket that’s moved by a torsion spring. Cartridges fit between the tooth bar of the sprocket, which sits on a spindle. Rounds are rotated into the feeding position automatically. These rotary magazines come in various capacities, and as the Ruger 10/22 has proven, they are quite reliable.

Helical

Helical magazines are real weird magazine designs that are also quite rare. The famed futuristic-looking Calico carbine system sported a 50 to 100 round magazine positioned above the gun. The Russian Bizon submachine gun also utilized an under-mounted helical magazine. The North Koreans apparently have a helical magazine for the AK 47 series, although no one knows if these things actually work.

Helical magazines are essentially drum magazines in which the round follows a spiral path around a specialized rotating follower. The drum tends to be more expansive horizontally than vertically and, as such, does not restrict shooters in the prone position. This weird magazine is complex and expensive and not always reliable. Outside of North Korea, no military force utilizes them.

Casket

Casket magazine sounds like something Hot Topic sells, but in reality, they are an expansive box magazine. Both modern box magazines are a double stack design. Casket magazines are a quad stack design. Thie weird magazine design has that unique casket shape, and that’s where it gains its name.

Casket magazines can expand capacity without extending the length of the magazine excessively. A 60 round casket magazine will often only be the same length as a 40 round magazine. Casket magazines are not uncommon, and models from Surefire and ATI exist. The biggest downside is reliability. The streams can get crossed when the tip of one projectile covers the other. This often occurs when the magazine is dropped while partially loaded.

Pan

Pan magazine designs are rare and have fallen out of favor. We saw pan magazines most famously in the Degtyaryov light machine gun as well as the American-180 submachine gun. Pan magazines were essentially a top-loading drum that offered a low-profile source of firepower before belt-fed light machine guns became popular.

Pan magazines relied on gravity and either a ratchet and pawl mechanism or an unwinding circular spring. These magazines fell out of popularity because they are somewhat prone to failure and offer no advantages over a belt-fed design.

Horizontal

As far as I can tell, the only horizontal magazines out there are the P90 and HK G11 magazines. A number of firearms use the P90’s design making it the most popular horizontal magazine. This weird magazine design sits horizontally over the barrel, and the cartridges sit flat and horizontally. This requires the magazine to rotate each round into position before it can be fired.

Horizontal magazines allow for a relatively high-capacity magazine that sits flush with the firearm. This reduces parts and pieces hanging off the gun and limits its ability to get caught on environmental crap. The P90 magazine is quite reliable, but due to the relatively complicated design, they tend to be fairly pricey. They also don’t seem conducive to regular rifle rounds due to their length.

Tubular Magazine

Tubular magazines tend to be fixed. Shotguns and lever-action rifles famously used fixed tubular magazines. However, they aren’t always fixed. The Spencer rifle, for example, used a detachable tubular magazine that was inserted at the stock of the rifle. It’s a fairly simple tube design that was relatively easy to use.

The Spencer holds seven rounds, and while the magazine was removable, it wasn’t intended for the user to carry multiple magazines. Why no one saw the potential in this is beyond me. A man with the unfortunate name of Erastus Blakeslee invented a cartridge box that held seven rounds that could rapidly charge the tubular magazine.

This weird magazine design didn’t go far but helped the repeating rifle enter the mainstream.

Cylinder

I’m not sure if most people count this as a magazine, but it fits the definition to me. A cylinder magazine is essentially a revolver’s cylinder. As you know, most are fixed and not made to be rapidly reloaded. However, the Remington model 1858 famously boasted a very easy means to remove the cylinder and allow for a reload with an additional cylinder.

In the age of percussion revolvers, this was an extremely fast means to reload and keep fighting. Big Army didn’t see the point and never issued extra cylinders. However, this weird magazine design fits within our rules or being both weird and removable.

Rotating Tubular Magazine

Another oddball and weird magazine design comes courtesy of SRM Arms. Their 1216 shotgun uses a rotary tubular magazine, and each tube holds round rounds. Each magazine has four tubes, and the guns have a 16 round capacity. These magazines are removable, and the user can easily reload on the fly.

The system is essentially four shotgun tube magazines welded together, and the shotgun allows you to rotate the tubes at will to top off or reload your source of ammunition. The SRM 1216 is the only weapon I know that uses a rotating tubular magazine.

Weird Magazine Designs

Weird magazine designs vary a fair bit. Most throw themselves into the zeitgeist of firearms technology. Eventually, they either get lost in the technology of firearms or get spit out on the other side as successful. Rarely does a weird magazine make it through, but that doesn’t mean we can’t appreciate the general weirdness of magazine designs. At one point, the detachable box magazine was weird, and now it’s commonplace. I think I got all the weird magazine designs out there, but if I missed a notable example, let me know below.

 

The lever-action rifle is an iconic piece of Americana. Many of us feel a fierce and terrible lever gun love…everyone else is wrong. Whether you love lever-action rifles for their practicality, their history, or just because, we have a few examples to share with ya…and we’ll drop some ammo knowledge on ya too. 

 

• Practical Appeal: Henry Lever Action PCC

Looking for a capable pistol caliber carbine that isn’t built on the AR platform? Henry lever-action rifles are a great place to start.

• Steampunk Marlin 336? Holy Brass Patina! 

It’s isn’t from Bas-Lag, Fullmetal Alchemist, or anything by Jules Verne…but it could be! 

• Lever action rifle cartridges: .357 vs .44

Running a lever gun PCC? Should you choose a .357 or .44? 

 

 

The Practical Appeal of a Henry Lever Action PCC

David Higginbotham

 

Most Henry lever-action rifles fill a distinct niche. These are rock-solid working guns that pay an homage to their historical roots, but don’t shy away from modern configurations and set-ups. As such, hunters and sportsmen have a brand dedicated to functionality and reliability that can take the abuse that regular use can dish out without stripping away any historical value.

And these rifles tend to look better with a few battle scars. This .357 is getting a few of those scratches and dings. Back in May, Mag Life Editor David Reeder ran it through a Practical Rifle course taught by Rainier Arms. More on that to come.

Let’s break down the gun.

This is a Big Boy Color Case Hardened Side Gate .357. That’s a mouthful, but an accurately descriptive title of this compact Henry lever-action rifle.

I’m not sure where the Big Boy concept comes from. Maybe this is the gun the Bob’s Big Boy mascot would carry when he was a way from the restaurant.

The Case Hardened part is easier. The steel frame of the gun has been color case hardened. This is a technique used on many older guns to add an element of aesthetic refinement to steel. It has the added benefit of adding a modest amount of protection, too, through the hardening of the surface layer of the steel.

Most color case hardening is done on highly polished steel. When done right, the technique forms bands and clouds of color that look almost like smoke in clear water. It is mesmerizing.

The Henry has the color case hardening done on an almost brushed finish. This is an odd new look for the technique. The colors are still there, as is the protection from the hardening, but the depth to the surface is absent. Light still plays off of the imperfections left by the grinding or brushing—whatever the final surface preparation is.

The Walnut stock

That’s not to say that it isn’t still handsome. This is a good-looking gun, it is just different. And that difference doesn’t feel as precious or as delicate as the more traditional color case hardened finishes.

The parts that aren’t blued or color case hardened are equally attractive. The walnut stock is plain and not overly adorned. It is finished well and will pick up character as it takes a beating. Walnut is not a super-hard hardwood. Though durable and well suited for rifle stocks, walnut dings as easily as any wood.

 

As I’m not one to baby anything I might consider to be a tool, I don’t see this as a problem. Every scar tells a story. This is a gun that would rather be in a truck or on an ATV than in the safe.

Clearly, the look won’t be for everyone. If you are after a wall-hanger, or a nostalgic lever-gun to add to a working collection of functional history pieces, this isn’t it. If you want a rock-solid gun you won’t hesitate to drop behind the seat of the truck, this is it.

The practical side

Henry’s Big Boy Color Case Hardened Side Gate .357 is compact. The overall length is under 3 feet. That makes the gun maneuverable and easy to carry.

It also means that the Henry lever action can feel a bit small for larger shooters. While some Henry rifles in larger calibers offer more to hold on to, this one is more of a true carbine length.

And at more than seven pounds, it isn’t a featherweight either. There’s a substantial amount of steel in its octagonal barrel. While this adds weight, it is part of what makes the gun so easy to keep on target during rapid-fire shooting.

Side-gate

Henry has added more side-gate loaders to their line-up in the last few years. These allow you to thumb in a round easily, without having to remove a magazine tube from under a barrel.

You can still remove the tube to unload some rounds, as needed, though anything in the chamber would have to be freed with a throw of the lever.

There’s a trick to loading these. Push a round in about 2/3 of the way and then use the nose of the next round to seat it all the way in—and end at the 2/3 point with that round—rinse and repeat.

This saves your thumbs and, maybe more likely, your thumb nails. I finger-pick guitar with the same hand I use to load a lever-action, so my loner-than-average nails tend to get in the way. Before I go to a class like this, or spend any serious time on the range, I’ll trim them back, but I’ve found that keeping my thumb out of the side gate helps immensely.

The .357

Most people think of the .357 as a revolver round. And for good reason. There are not many rifles chambered in the caliber anymore. But it is a damn-good round.

Some .357 rounds will top out at speeds over 1,500 FPS from a rifle this size. And there’s no loss of energy at the cylinder gap. That makes for an exceptionally effective round in close quarters scenarios.

The .357 is even a solid round for a brush gun. With solid shot placement, it has impressive terminal ballistic potential. And the recoil is almost nothing.

The Henry will also run .38s, so there’s an even better option for the recoil sensitive. Shooting .38s from the Big Boy produces about as much kick as you would get from a light .22 LR. Almost nothing to speak of.

If you are looking for a rapid-fire fun gun, the Big Boy running .38s shoots flat and fast. You can drive the lever like a mad man and keep the Big Boy humming along until that last click. The gun will hold 7 or 8—at least 7 and one in the chamber.

What’s the best way to top the Henry Big Boy?

The gun comes with Henry’s traditional iron sights. These work fine. I’ve reviewed a bunch of Henry’s rifles over the years and I’ve never once found reason to complain about the irons. The brass bead on the Big Boy is easy to pick up, and the semi-buckhorn rear sight has a diamond to help speed up target acquisition and fine-tune longer-range shot placement.

For this review, we set up the Henry with a Holosun Micro Red Dot (a 507c). This was a pretty radical choice for a lever gun, but one that was made incredibly easy by the mount that we got from Phoenix Weaponry.

This little thing is milled to match the drilled holes in the receiver. Phoenix makes them in a variety of optics patterns. When we began the review process, I went looking for options for optics. Phoenix had what I was looking for—but there was some confusion—mostly on my part—about fit with the various Henry models out there (as there are big-bore Big Boys, and PCC Big Boys and they’re not the same size). After a quick conversation with the team at Phoenix, I was set.

And the mount provides the security to hold the Holosun steady. After shooting all day in the rifle class, there had been no shift in zero from the optic or the plate. And the plate added just the right amount of rise to the red dot—getting a solid cheek weld put my line of sight exactly where it needed to be on the gun.

Henry Lever Action Accuracy

As this isn’t a bench gun, I didn’t put it in the rest to zero the optic. During the rifle class, we were shooting on the move, from prone, standing, kneeling…. We were putting rounds on steel, so we zeroed the Holosun standing in front of a paper target until we were on.

And the emphasis of this gun is stability and speed. First-shot accuracy is dependable and second-shot accuracy is spot on. This rifle smoked the split times of the bolt-action guns that were running the same course of fire. From initial target acquisition to multiple target engagement, the Henry performed well.

Where it suffered was at distance. At 200 yards, with a red dot, you can imagine the challenges. And as this was a high-round count class in the midst of the 2020 ammo shortages, we shot a lot of .38. With a shooter and a spotter, walking shots in off the impacts on the berm was easy enough, but it would have been more difficult alone or without the benefit of small dirt puffs 200 yards downrange.

With .357, connecting at 200 yards was more consistent. Either way, we were ringing steel at that distance.

In the end

I’ve got a deep respect for what Henry’s doing with their catalog. They keep bringing new twists to familiar favorites. And this gun is no different. The Henry lever action is, at least in this form, a testament to craftsmanship.

The price, MSRP is $1,141.00, seems on point for what you get. Like most of the other Henry rifles I’ve run, this could easily be a rifle that is passed down to the next generation and the next.

 

 

 

Steampunk Marlin 336

An unusual lever gun indeed!

Jon Duty

Holy brass patina, Batman! Just take a moment and look over this Steampunk Marlin 336! 

Go ahead…we’ll wait.

This thing looks like something James West & Artemus Gordon would’ve used to fight off that wily-ass Dr. Loveless in that Wild Wild West movie. You know, the reboot of the old show, with Kevin Kline and Will Smith?

This Marlin 336 would be perfect for that!  

Indeed, it would’ve handled the Doc, shortened the storyline, and paved the way for more screen time for the real reason we all watched that movie…Salma Hayek.

At the very least, Agents West and Gordon wouldn’t have had to fight the giant mech-spider thingy at the end. 

But I digress…

Steampunk Marlin 336 Build

This Marlin came into David Wilson at Silverfox Coatings as a pawn shop find and got the full-send steampunk treatment. This thing is crazy in the details. I literally had to look at each picture a couple of times to catch them all. 

David says this rifle had more than 100 hours put into it. The stock was reshaped, refinished, had custom hammered metal accents, and copper gears added, along with a working clock and a humidifier gauge. The lever got an extra finger ring welded in, and the handguards were replaced with a Midwest Industries MLOK set. The scope is actually an original working antique scope from the 1900s. It stayed as is because…well…it’s cooler than your ex’s heart just the way it was. 

David hit this up with a custom mix cerakote on the barrel to round it all out and complete the look. He did the receiver in a copper/gold/silver patina cerakote finish.

All in all, this little Marlin got a complete makeover. Still, it’s not the first time Silverfox Coatings has stomped out a spot in the Cerakote applicator forest. So go and give them a follow on Instagram @silverfox_cerakote and see their other work for yourself. Or, if you’re in the Dallas, TX area, and need some Cerakote magic sprinkled on your roscoe, hit them up! 

 

 

357 or 44 Magnum for that Lever Gun?

A look at two lever-action rifle cartridges

Kat Ainsworth

Lever-action rifles have been getting more attention, and we think that’s a great thing. Levers aren’t just the classic guns that won the West anymore; levers are versatile, useful, and fun. Of course, they also come chambered in quite a variety of calibers, so you might need some help deciding which one to add to your collection next (after all, you’re going to need more than one in the long run). In this video, Chris Baker of Lucky Gunner does a comparison of levers chambered in 357 Magnum and 44 Magnum.

What Distance Can 357 and 44 Magnum Levers Shoot Accurately?

Although estimating effective range depends somewhat on your gun, ammo, and shooting skills, there is always a general accuracy range to consider. Chris Baker talked about the effective range of 357 and 44 Magnum levers:

“Best case scenario, a 357 or 44 Mag lever-action is probably about a 150-yard gun unless you’re just a real superstar in range estimation. Realistically, for most of us, for any practical purpose, it’s more like a 100 yard or 125-yard gun with maybe some wiggle room. If you use one of the flatter shooting loads and you played around with your zero, you could maybe stretch it out past 150 in a pinch. Personally, if I thought there was a decent chance I might need to shoot something that far away, I would just go with a true rifle caliber.”

How did Chris figure out effective range?

Well, he checked velocity and documented drop rate:

[Earlier] when I shot…groups, I also took velocity readings with our LabRadar. This device measures velocity at the muzzle just like a chronograph does but it can also tell you the velocity in various increments as the bullet moves down-range. I had it set to give readings at 50, 100, and 150 yards. I also tried 200, but it had trouble picking up the bullets that far away. There’s a lot of cool stuff we can do with these measurements.”

Check out the video for a closer look at the results of velocity testing and for other information about the 357 and 44 Magnum levers:

 

What can my lever-action rifle do?

Lever-action rifles and carbines have a lot of uses. Remember, there was a time when they were the hottest thing around in the gun world, and they were used for just about everything. Today you can use them for a lot, too, such as:

• Hunting
• Home defense
• Self-defense
• Brush gun
• Truck gun
• Cowboy action shooting
• Range time

You should definitely consider getting a lever-action rifle or three in your gun safe. Not only can you use them for just about anything, but they’re also flat-out fun to run. If 357 Magnum and 44 Magnum aren’t your thing, they do come chambered in a lot of other calibers like 444 Marlin and 30-30 Win, among others.

Do you own a lever gun or several? What’s your favorite caliber? Drop a comment below to let us know.

We’ve all seen reviews on optics after a few thousand rounds and they look awesome. But what happens to it after 10,000 rounds? Aaron Cowan over at SageDynamics took a longer look at the Holosun 509T optic and put it through its paces to see how it would hold up.

 

So, first, let’s do a quick background. The Holosun 509T is the Titanium enclosed reticle option with a staggering hour battery life. It has a 2MOA dot and a 32MOA circle in the sight. The optic comes with its proprietary mounting plate straight out of the box as well as a special tool for adjusting to get to zero.

For the testing Aaron had the following steps:

1. Drop testing from shoulder height onto a hard surface
2. Test in extreme heat
3. Test in extreme cold
4. Single handed manipulation

Aaron originally did a 2,000 round review of the Holosun 509T and liked it but wondered if it would last long term in duty use. The main component of the test was the drop test. He said this was important for the review in that it simulated the possible wear and tear or stress on
the firearm during duty use. He went on to say that he’s still using the original optic that he received and didn’t need to get a replacement and that it still functioned properly. Long story short, it passed the test with flying colors.

He went on to talk about the battery of the optic. It takes a 1632 battery and has side access for replacement, so you don’t have to take the whole thing off the pistol to change the battery out. Not only does it have a ridiculous battery life (up to 50,000 hour life), but it has a solar panel or a combination of solar and battery. He used it strictly on battery and has yet to replace the battery.

So how did he go about the testing? Well, the drop test was done after every 500 rounds. Yes, that’s 20 separate drops over the course of the testing. The only real damage was the delamination of the optic, but that’s purely aesthetics and no loss of zero. The single manipulation was to help simulate how many law enforcement folks are trained and show any loss of function for the optic. None occurred and it performed adequately.

During his testing, he only had two major complaints or recommendations. Firstly, the button for adjustment for the optic requires a special tool so you don’t want to lose it. He tried using coins, like you can use on other optics on the market, to no avail. The second complaint he had
was that during the 20 drop tests he did, the back ledge of the optic got beat up and he would like to see Holosun actually enlarge it to help protect the rear lens better.

In closing, he said that this is the best-enclosed reticle for a duty gun. It’s well-made, durable, and accurate. Not only that, but it’s compatible with several holsters currently available and easily concealable.

The civilian use of body armor has exploded in the last few years. We are in a unique time where anyone can easily acquire a vast degree of armor. We’ve got rifle-resistant ceramic plates to modern high-tech polymer plates and everything in between. This also means soft armor. In the last few years, soft armor has exploded in popularity. This includes vests, as well as soft panels for packs, purses, and the like. Today we are looking at the latest piece of soft armor from Premier Armor, the Concealable Armor Vest.

Introducing the Concealable Armor Vest

I’ve never worked for Premier Armor, but at one point, I had an idea to mix a Premier Armor soft plate with a Tru-Spec armor shirt. This created a very low-profile concealable armor combo that inspired Premier Armor to combine the shirts and plates to make their own concealable armor. From there, they produced their latest Concealable Armor vest to act as a step between that shirt and a standard soft armor vest.

The goal of the Concealable Armor Vest was to provide the protection of the standard soft armor vests worn by law enforcement with a concealable design. As you’d imagine, it’s bulkier than a soft panel in a shirt but also provides 360 degrees of protection and a lot more of it than just your vitals.

The Concealable Armor Vest packs an IIIA rating which means it will not stop most rifle rounds. In fact, it’s best used against handgun and shotgun rounds. An IIIA rating prevents penetration by most standard handgun rounds, including 9mm, 40 S&W, 45 ACP, and up into a 44 Magnum Semi-wadcutter design, moving at 1,400 feet per second. What’s important to understand is that the soft panels are NIJ Certified.

Lots of armor companies build to NIJ standards, but certification means the company has sought independent testing for the NIJ. Simply put, the armor is legit. It’s also special-threat tested against 12 gauge slugs, Liberty Defense 9mm, and 5.7×28 SS197SR.

The carrier is pretty dang legit too. It’s machine washable and made from a moisture-wicking material. It’s lightweight and water repellent, and plenty adjustable. This is not a one-size-fits-all affair, and users should order the right size for their frames. Adjustments allow you to better tailor how the Concealable Armor Vest fits.

Who Needs This?

Who exactly needs a Concealable Armor vest? Well, obviously, the usual suspects can benefit from a high-quality vest. This includes police officers who might want something a little higher end under their uniform or plainclothes officers in general. Security personnel, VIP protection, and the like can also benefit from such a vest. Sadly, lots of EMS personnel are now wearing vests because scum takes potshots at them.

However, beyond those in armed and first responder professions, there are plenty of roles where a Concealable Armor Vest makes sense. I worked as both a repo man and a cash courier in my post-Marine Corps career.

Neither job allowed you to be armed, and both jobs made you a tempting target.

I had to dress professionally but would’ve loved a concealable armor vest to feel a little bit safer. Especially since my employers didn’t seem to care much about security and safety. On top of other oddball professions, this is a great option for someone who’s just been met with credible threats. Maybe through no fault of your own, you’ve made an enemy, and the most you have is a restraining order, a firearm, and a vest to keep you safe.

Comfort and Fit

Tossing the Concealable Armor Vest on isn’t tough. Well, once you’ve got it adjusted just right. The short waistband keeps the rig nice and tight, and tight is good. Tight helps with concealment and comfort. You don’t want the vest bouncing around as you move throughout the day. That would decrease comfort and increase visibility. Also, don’t forget, a tight fit is a proper fit that helps ensure your vitals are covered when necessary.

I do recommend wearing a shirt under your concealable armor vest. If not, I fear the chafing your nipples might receive. That being said, with a shirt in the way, the inside of the vest is super soft and incredibly comfortable. It’s not too heavy or overly bulky.

The only problem you’re gonna have is heat—nothing you can really do about that. Adding armor is like adding a sweater. Things that stop bullets rarely breathe well and accommodate the breeze. It’s the nature of the beast so just make sure you double down on your hydration if you plan to be working outside a lot with the vest on.

Also, make sure you remember you wash the external carrier cause it’s going to get gross if you don’t

How Does It Conceal?

I tested the Concealed Armor Vest with a standard white dress shirt, a Dixxon flannel, and a normal light jacket. I did this in August, and it’s blazing hot, so I hope you animals appreciate it. Under the shite dress shirt, the black carrier barely shows. It looks like a muscle shirt under my shirt. It adds a little bulk but so do all those pizza rolls I eat.

However, the armor does its job of remaining concealed. You’d have to look close, and if I wore a suit jacket, you’d have to undress me like I was Don Draper to find the vest. Under the Dixxon Flannel and light jacket, it’s most certainly invisible. This thing won’t disappear under a plain t-shirt, but under a button-down, it’s invisible.

Make it a black or flannel button-down, and it’s really invisible then. If this particular model still seems too bulky for you, check out their Executive design. It’s a little smaller than the Concealable Armor Vest.

However, for many of us, this vest will work perfectly. It hides easily and provides a brilliant degree of protection from common threats.

Staying Safe

I love combining safety with a low-profile protection system. In fact, the industry seems to be going heavily towards low-profile awesomeness, and I love it. It takes vests like this out of the realm of just armed professionals and offers it to the everyday Joe and Jane. The Concealable Armor Vest from Premier Armor combines NIJ-certified protection and a low-profile design for everyone who needs armor. 

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Glock 43X vs 48: what are the differences, why are there differences, and how does this affect someone’s choice about which to carry? These are common enough questions, and not just among Glockophiles.

Enter The Mag Life Blog authors. Here, we’ve compiled three Glock 43X vs 48 articles from our authors who took these questions to task. Keep reading to find their explanations.

 

• Glock 43X vs 48: a Slimline Showdown

• Tested: Glock 43X versus Glock 48

• Glock 48 vs 43X: which Slimline for you?

 

 

 

Glock 43X vs 48: a Slimline Showdown

Travis Pike

After the SIG P365 shook up the concealed carry world, the industry had to react. We are seeing that come together with the world of Micro Compacts, but Glock did something else. They went in a bit of a different direction with the simultaneous release of the Glock 43X and Glock 48 pistols. Let’s put a little Glock 43X vs. Glock 48 contest together to compare and contrast to see which works where.

Both share a common connection to the Glock 43 but are distinctly different pistols. They both use a single stack design that holds ten rounds of 9mm as well as 15 rounds with the Shield magazines. With that being said, the pistols are predictably very similar but do provide a very different experience at the range and in the holster. Let’s start by breaking down each gun in this Glock 43X vs. Glock 48 showdown.

Glock 43X vs. Glock 48 — Specs and Breakdown

Glock 43X Specs
Weight – 16.5 ounces
Weight Loaded – 23.1 ounces
Barrel Length – 3.41 inches
Overall Length – 6.27 inches
Grip Width – 1.02 inches
Height – 4.92 inches

Glock 48 Specs
Weight – 18.6 ounces
Weight Loaded – 25.2 ounces
Barrel Length – 4.17 inches
Overall Length – 7.05 inches
Grip Width – 1.02 inches
Height – 4.92 inches

As you can see, the biggest difference comes from the barrel and overall length—the Glock 48 sports a slightly longer barrel than the G43X. The 4.17-inch barrel is actually a hair longer than even the Glock 19’s 4.016-inch barrel. I spoke with the guys at the Glock booth, and they told me that the Glock 48’s slightly longer barrel makes it legal in Canada due to their overall length requirements for pistols.

One thing worth mentioning in this Glock 43X vs. Glock 48 debate is the generation these guns occupy. They aren’t really a particular generation. They are basically their own generation with lots of features being taken from the Gen 5 series. This includes the front and rear serrations, the Glock marksmen barrel, and the high visibility follower. Like the G43, the grips lack finger grooves too. Unfortunately, these single stacks don’t get the Gen 5 ambidextrous slide release.

It should also be noted that while the guns are based on the G43, the magazines are not interchangeable. G43s can’t use the longer G43X/G48 mags, and the G43X/G48 series cannot use extended aftermarket G43 mags.

The World of Single Stack Glocks

Also, when we talk Glock 43X vs. Glock 48, we have to mention the fact that multiple models exist of each firearm. We have the standard, then the sweet stainless steel slide variants, and finally the MOS variants.

The M in MOS stands for modular, but with the Glock 43X vs. Glock 48 debate, understand that this doesn’t use a plate system to fit a wide variety of optics. Instead, it uses the Shield RMSc footprint and fits only mini optics. This footprint lets you use the Shield optics, models from Riton, Swampfox, Sig, and my personal favorite, the Holosun 507K.

These MOS models also come with a mini Picatinny rail system. This allows you to rock and roll with the TLR 7 SUB or a Mantis X10, or a laser device, or a cup holder, or whatever else.

Glock 48 Pros

Let’s start the Glock 43X vs. Glock 48 debate with the advantages of the Glock 48. The Glock 48 is essentially a single stack Glock 19. It’s a do-it-all size but remarkably thinner. Heck, I remember Rob Pincus discussing the idea of a single stack Glock 19 years ago, so the ideas have been kicking around.

That longer barrel and extra weight benefit the Glock 48 a fair bit. With over three-quarters of an inch more barrel, the Glock 48 produces a slightly higher velocity per shot. That’s great, but it’s still only a slight advantage. The real advantage comes from control and sight radius.

The longer barrel gives you more control and less muzzle rise. The longer slide delivers a longer sight radius. A longer sight radius makes it easier to be precise at longer ranges. Combine control and precision, and you’ll see a respectable difference in performance. Add in a timed accuracy drill, and the majority of us will always be faster and more accurate with a Glock 48 than the Glock 43X.

The longer frame also makes it easier to appendix carry the Glock 48. The longer slide presses the grip inward and makes the gun less likely to print. That being said, plenty of holsters utilize a longer front end to make the G43X easy enough to carry concealed as well.

Glock 43X

When I started examining and considering this Glock 43X vs. Glock 48 argument, I approached it thinking the Glock 48 would be the winner. Why would I want a Glock 43 with a longer grip? Then I started shooting and carrying one. Oh, I get it. This is a gun built to be comfortable. Comfortable to shoot and comfortable to carry is the name of the game.

The Glock 43X’s short slide makes the weapon much easier to conceal in an OWB holster. OWB does offer a very comfortable experience for carry purposes, and while it’s not always efficient, it works well with the shorter barrel G43X. Also, at two ounces less the gun works better with low weight, minimalist belts.

When shooting, the shorter barrel and slide combo makes it easier to find the front sight and track it between shots. If one chose the MOS model and used a red dot, then the sight radius issue would disappear.

The weapon feels more balanced and less front-heavy, making it really well suited for new shooters who may dip the barrel. It’s a rock-solid little platform that makes comfortable carry and shooting its priority. I can get why a newer carrier would choose the G43X in our Glock 43X vs. Glock 48 contest. Heck, even an experienced carrier may choose it as a comfy alternative to a larger weapon for deep concealed carry.

Inversed Downsides

As you can easily see, the strengths of one platform reveal the weaknesses of the other. It’s not worth doing two separate portions in our Glock 43x vs. Glock 48 debate. The Glock 48 is more accurate than the Glock 43X. The Glock 43X can be faster at close range due to the ability to track the front sight. The Glock 48 is easier to control, and the Glock 43X is easier to carry in all positions but appendix.

Both guns rock in terms of reliability and general ergonomics. They are identical in these regards. The same goes for the crappy Glock sights and average Glock trigger.

The differences between the Glock 43X vs 48 are clear, but it’s tough to say one is so much better than the other. It really depends on what you want your gun to do. If you want something that prioritizes concealment and comfort, then go with the G43X. If you want better control and accuracy, then go with the G48.

So what say you? Which would you choose in this Glock 43X vs 48 debate?

 

 

Tested: Glock 43X versus Glock 48

Kat Ainsworth

When Glock officially launched the 43X and 48 in early 2019, the guns were met with a mixture of excitement and skepticism. The 43 — which has been on the market since 2015 — had the single-stack 9mm market covered, it seemed, and for shooters who found that model too skinny for a comfortable grip, it seemed unlikely more single-stacks would remedy the issue.

However, I’m always game to run a new gun, so I found myself putting significant time into both the 43X and the 48. If you’ve been debating entering the world of Slimline Glocks, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to find out how the two guns perform at the range and for concealed carry along with some long-term use thoughts on them.

What is the Glock Slimline?

According to the manufacturer (as well as in the context of magazine construction),  a Glock Slimline is currently the single-stack 42 or 43, with the 43X and 48 being part of their “extended Slimline family.”

However, the 43X and 48 aren’t exactly the same as a standard single-stack. For example, the Glock 42 and 43 are single-stack models with a reduced capacity that tends to go with them. But…the 43X and 48 are Slimline models. Glock designed these guns for greater capacity while still maintaining a slimmer grip than their double-stacks offer. Both guns have an overall width of 1.10-inches which is narrower than the 1.26-inch grip width of the double-stack Glock 19. They’re also a bit wider than the 1.06-inches of the single-stack Glock 43. Those seemingly small increments may not seem like much, but they make a difference. Don’t believe it? Consider the capacity of these models.

The Glock 43, which was Glock’s first foray into 9mms that weren’t double-stacks, has a capacity of 6 +1. You get more with the compact Glock 19 — it has a capacity of 15 +1 — so how about the 43X and 48? Those guns each have a capacity of 10 +1 using the flush-fit magazines they ship with. Four rounds more than the single-stack 43 is a significant improvement. The guns weigh less than the original double-stack designs but hold more ammunition than the single-stack, all for only 0.04-inches more width when compared to the single-stack 43.

In a Slimline Glock the rounds are staggered a bit differently. They’re neither double-stacked nor precisely single-stacked; instead, the rounds rest at a slight angle to fit more in the magazine without sacrificing the slimmer profile of the grip.

From Glock regarding the 43X and 48:

“The 10 rounds magazine slim 01 has a specific single stack design to reduce its dimensions to a minimum. The orange follower allows the shooter to clearly see if there are any rounds left in the magazine or not. The metal insert is covered by a polymer coating as for all GLOCK magazines.”

So, are they single-stacks? Yes, but no.

Glock 43X Features

As expected the Glock 43X — the G43X from here on — is a polymer pistol with subcompact dimensions. It’s chambered in 9x19mm, which is both a capable defensive round and the current favorite of those in law enforcement and has a 10 +1 capacity. It has an overall height of 5.04-inches when the flush-fit magazine is inserted and an overall length of 6.50-inches. The gun’s barrel is 3.41-inches long. Overall weight is 18.70 ounces, empty; when the magazine is loaded it weighs 23.07 ounces. The slide is stainless steel and the frame is polymer.

This model ships with either factory white sights — a dot in front and a dovetailed white rear sight — or night sights, depending on what you request. Features like the Glock Marksman Barrel, reversible magazine catch, and Safe Action bladed trigger system come standard on all G43X models.

Glock 48 Features

If your first thought is that the Glock 48 (G48) is no different than the G43X, you’re close to correct. Like the G43X, the G48 is chambered in 9x19mm, has a 10 +1 capacity with a flush-fit magazine, and a polymer frame. At 5.04-inches, overall height is also the same, and width matches as well at 1.10-inches. However, the G48 has an overall length of 7.28-inches and a barrel length of 4.17-inches. Empty, the G48 weighs in at 20.74 ounces; loaded, the gun weighs 25.12 ounces.

Features like the sights, reversible magazine catch, and trigger are the same as the G43X. And as with all things Glock you get the Safe Action bladed trigger. But as you can see, there are some slight differences in length. The G48 barrel is 0.76-inches longer than that of the G43X and the overall length is about the same at 0.78-inches longer than the G43X’s length. This might seem to be an inconsequential difference, but it does impact grip which, in turn, can affect accuracy. It also affects concealment.

Which is Better, the G43X or the G48?

Having spent a great length of time running both models I’m comfortable stating they are each reliable, durable pistols. Through thousands of rounds fired through the guns — both defensive loads and target rounds — there have been no failures. There haven’t even been failures related to magazines which makes me exceptionally happy. Accuracy is excellent as well. When I first got my hands on them I was skeptical because I’ve been a fan of the classic Glock double-stack for years and the single-stack 43 does not fit my hands well at all. However, the G43X and G48 fit my grip far better than the G43 and actually top the double-stack models for me for comfort and accuracy.

My hands are on the longer side so I always prefer some extra length on guns. That means the G48’s extra 0.78-inch overall length is a good thing for my specific needs, making it my personal preference of the two Slimline models. This does not mean there’s no place for the G43X. In fact, of the two the G43X is easier to conceal. It may only be three-quarters of an inch, but that fractionally shorter barrel makes all the difference when concealing, especially in skinny jeans and a tank top. This by no means is meant to suggest the G48 cannot be concealed. I’ve been using my G48 in regular rotation as a carry gun for more than two years. It can be concealed, it’s just slightly touchier for printing at the muzzle than the G43X is for my build.

Both models are accurate but for me, it’s the G48 that’s precise. If you have smaller hands, the G43X may deliver greater precision. Accuracy is offered by each gun, though, so don’t let my saying the G48 has produced precise hits rather than overall accuracy stop you from trying the smaller version.

Glock 43X vs 48 — Which Slimline Glock Should You Buy?

Assess your carry needs and go from there. If you have larger hands and are tall enough to conceal those extra three-quarters of an inch, maybe the somewhat larger G48 is right for you. Conversely, if your hands are smaller and you’re petite, the G43X might be best. Bluntly, they’re both nice pistols and it’s worth owning one of each. After all, you can never have too many guns, especially when they’re reliable, well-made carry guns.

What’s your favorite Glock? If it isn’t the G43X or G48, which model is it, and why? Fill us in on the details in the comments below.

Glock 43X Specifications

Caliber: 9x19mm
Capacity: 10 +1
Barrel length: 3.41-inches
Trigger distance: 2.64-inches
Slide length: 6.06-inches
Slide width: 0.87-inches
Overall width: 1.10-inches
Overall length: 6.50-inches
Overall height: 5.04-inches, including flush-fit magazine
Weight: 18.70 ounces, empty

Glock 48 Specifications

Caliber: 9x19mm
Capacity: 10 +1
Barrel length: 4.17-inches
Trigger distance: 2.64-inches
Slide length: 6.85-inches
Slide width: 0.87-inches
Overall width: 1.10-inches
Overall length: 7.28-inches
Overall height: 5.04-inches, including flush-fit magazine
Weight: 20.74 ounces, empty

 

 

 

Glock 48 or 43X?

Which Slimline to go with and why.

Fifty Shades of FDE

I have been carrying concealed since the day I graduated from the academy. That was almost a decade and a half ago and although I’m not old, l don’t want to age myself either. Since then, things have changed a lot as far as what is available in terms of the pistols themselves to the accessories such as holsters.

Back then, compact or sub-compact pistols were the go-to options to carry if you wanted some decent magazine capacity at the smallest footprint available at the time. Probably the most popular (and still is to this day) was the Glock 19, chambered in 9mm and held 15 rounds in the magazine. Basically, it was the compact model of the full-sized Glock 17 and was great for concealed carry. However, it was still too big for some to conceal so the next in line was the Glock 26 (aka the Baby Glock, the sub-compact model of the Glock 17), also chambered in 9mm and held ten rounds in the magazine. There were other makes and models that were similar in size and capacity as these Glocks, but to keep it simple, we’ll just focus on Glocks in this article.

The other options were smaller caliber semi-automatic pistols and revolvers, which were less optimal in many ways. They lacked in either the ballistics or capacity department or both in some cases. There’s nothing wrong with these options as they are still effective ways to defend yourself, but when compared to the semiautomatic compact and subcompact pistols, they have their disadvantages. It’s case dependant and personal preference so I won’t dive into that rabbit hole either.

The Glock 19 and 26 were extremely popular due to the fact that they are closely related to the Glock 17, which dominated the Law Enforcement and civilian markets. Familiarity with the ergonomics and parts makes it an easy transition for those who already owned a Glock 17. The only thing to get acclimated to was the increased recoil from having shorter barrels, less weight up front, and having shorter grips. One of the best selling points was the magazine compatibility between all the platforms as long as the magazine was longer than the grip. This allowed for extended magazine capacity with your spare magazine. —Quick side note, if you carry concealed, you should be carrying at least one spare magazine! The Glock 26 was very popular as a backup gun for Police Officers all around because if their primary Duty Glock 19 were to ever go down, the Glock 26 could still fight on with the spare Glock 17 magazines to keep feeding it.

The downside to the Glock 19 and 26, in my opinion, is that they also share the thickness of the Glock 17. There’s nothing wrong with that in terms of design and function, however as carry pistols, they’re thicc. This may or may not affect certain people, but for me, I am short and of thin build. This means that pistols of this size limited me on how I carried them. Holsters have improved much over the years with quality custom kydex products in the market, but for me to carry these options comfortably, it had to be in the waistband at my 4 o’clock position. In order to conceal it without printing, I couldn’t wear a T-shirt, I had to wear some sort of button-up shirt and thankfully, 5.11 and Vertx makes some nice and comfortable button-ups. So I wore quite a bit of those shirts often because I carried pretty much everywhere. Although it concealed the pistol well, the button-up shirts also made you stand out in a crowd and those career criminals and parolees can spot you from afar.

As time went on, Glock eventually came out with the Glock 43. It was Glock’s first Micro Compact Pistol and it was even more so popular for the off-duty and Every Day Carry communities. It was much shorter in length and in grip and more importantly, it was much thinner in width than the Glock 19 and 26. The Glock 43 has a 3.41″ barrel, length of 6.26″, an overall width of 1.06″, a height of 4.25″, and a loaded weight of 20.64 oz. With its minute size, it sacrificed magazine capacity to hold a measly six rounds. There were after-market magazine extensions to help but it was still pretty lacking.

I got my own Glock 43 as soon as I could and it was one of the most comfortable carry guns I’ve ever had. It became my primary carry gun and the first for me to carry appendix. I was happy with it, I had a good kydex holster and was able to wear t-shirts again. When compared to the sub-compacts I carried before, it was hardly noticeable due to its size and weight. It made carrying concealed a comfortable experience as it could be, instead of a chore that you had to put up with having a brick inside your waistband. I know a lot of my partners and law enforcement officers out there that still to this day, refuse to carry off-duty because it can be a pain in the ass or they don’t want the responsibility. Yes, it may sound crazy but it’s a true fact and there’s no convincing them otherwise.

Carrying the Glock 43 was comfortable and I knew its limitations with its diminished magazine capacity. I got plus two and plus three magazines extensions from Taran Tactical to increase my available firepower. Shooting the Glock 43 took me some time to get used to with its snappy recoil, which was to be expected from such a small gun. I used to joke that it was like a revolver that you can reload more easily since it was a six-shooter plus one.

My apologies for the longish evolution of carry guns from my experience but I think it really gives the newer pistols some context and appreciation that most people that carry today take for granted.

Eventually, Glock came out with the Glock 43X and the Glock 48.

They announced both at the same time and to this day, a lot of people are confused about the differences between the two and which one to go with. I will hopefully be able to go over all the differences in features so you can make a more informed decision as to which one will work for you.

I will just start with the specifications of both models according to Glock’s website:

G43X

Barrel Length: 3.41″
Overall Length: 6.50″
Overall Width: 1.10″
Overall Height: 5.04″
Magazine Capacity: 10 Rounds
Loaded Weight: 23.07 oz

G48

Barrel Length: 4.17″
Overall Length: 7.28″
Overall Width: 1.10″
Overall Height: 5.04″
Magazine Capacity: 10 Rounds
Loaded Weight: 25.12 oz

What do the two models have in common?

So I hate looking at numbers on a sheet and going back and forth to compare them. Don’t worry, I did that for you! I’ll go over what they both have in common first. The G43X and G48 share overall width, overall height, and a magazine capacity of ten rounds. That’s quite a few similarities, but that’s it.

What are the differences?

With its barrel and overall length, the G43X is slightly longer compared to the G43. It is obviously taller than the G43 and slightly thicker too, but not by much. Had to throw this in there because I’m sure some of you would be wondering between the 43 and 43X. So in short, a G43X is a little bit bigger than the G43, with a longer grip to hold the new 10 round magazine.

The G48 is almost an inch longer than the G43X with both barrel and overall length. With that, the sight radius is longer, obviously. To some, this is an important feature for some reason. It isn’t for me and realistically it shouldn’t be a deciding factor for these micro pistols. There will be a slight advantage in muzzle velocity with the G48 — again not that important. The added weight and barrel length should relate to less recoil and less snappy to shoot but I am not sure by how much. Both share the same grip so it is easier to shoot than the G43. They both also have front serrations on their slides as a welcome feature that took Glock some time to add to their pistols.

So why did Glock make two different pistols with the G43X and G48?

Why not just make one and let it be? I, for one, am glad that they offer both models and not just the one. Every person has a unique body type and having options, especially with an everyday carry pistol is important.

The barrel length and overall length matter!

These features go hand in hand because it affects how long the business end is. This is very important when you carry appendix — in front and towards the middle, close to the belt buckle or belly button. It’s one of the most popular methods to carry since it is easy to draw from and less likely to print. It is my preferred method to carry and it is safe to do so as long as you are practice safety all the time with your pistol as everyone should. Go with whichever way you want and practice with.

The longer the overall length, the more it will affect your comfort level when you have it sitting in an IWB (In Waistband) or AIWB (Appendix In Waistband) holster. If you’re short like me, the shorter the overall length the better for me because I carry AIWB and the barrel is sitting against my pelvic bone and you do get used to it, but having a shorter pistol is better for me and people of similar stature. This may not bother taller people as they won’t run into this issue.

Also, remember that when you carry everyday, you will be doing your everyday activities depending on how active your lifestyle is, from walking, sitting, driving just to name a few. Sitting is where having a shorter overall length has its benefits. When you are carrying AIWB and are bending over to pick something up or sitting down, it doesn’t feel good to have your barrel digging into your thigh. This is one reason that the G19X was a thing and most people flipped out when that came out, because having a shorter barrel and length does have some benefits! The same goes for the G43X.

If the overall length issue doesn’t affect you, then the G48 is what you’d want because it is always a good practice to carry the biggest pistol with the most magazine capacity as you can. The G48 has a slight advantage in terms of performance over the G43X, however, they’re still advantages.

What about accessories?

Glock has since updated the lineup to include MOS capabilities on the G43X and G48. These models are factory cut to accept micro red dot sights (MRDS) and have an accessory rail in the frame to accept a weapon light or laser. I will say, having a red dot on your pistol is an excellent way to improve your effectiveness with a pistol, especially a carry pistol when your ammunition is limited.

 

Which one is right for you?

If you want the smallest and lightest pistol in the Glock family, go with the G43. If you want more magazine capacity and grip, with a short overall length, the G43X is for you. If you want basically a slimline G19, with the most length you can get out in this series of pistols, get the G48. If you want to run MRDS and or a WML, get the MOS version.

I know that was a lot of information. I hope this will help some of you make a more informed decision and answers questions that you may have had about the Glock 43X vs 48. Either way, having ten rounds in a small, slimline package is something I wish I had available early on in my career. Most of you won’t know how much more challenging it was to carry with what was available to us back then. I sure do appreciate the advances in technology and materials to make things smaller and lighter for us these days.

 

 

Spyderco, being a company that never rests on its laurels, is one to constantly adapt and change its designs. Many of their knives have started out as full-sized examples, which they have evolved into smaller implements.

The Native is one such knife that has undergone a number of changes since its introduction in 1997. It began as an affordable working man’s knife that, to me, always seemed to add up to more than the sum of its parts. Over the years, the Native went through several model changes, and at the time of this writing, we are at the Native 5 version.

Handle materials have ranged from FRN (Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon), stainless steel, carbon fiber, and G-10. There are probably a few that I’m forgetting or don’t know about. On top of that, it’s been offered in an array of different steels over the years.

Personally, the Native is one of my very favorite knife designs on the entire planet, from any maker. It’s simple and works incredibly well, and just speaks to me.

Fast forward to 2017, and Spyderco is doing what they do best — evolving. They went ahead and shrunk down the Native into what is named the Lil’ Native. The end result is a very compact, almost cute, knife that just like its bigger brother, amounts to more than the sum of its parts. This little knife cuts like nobody’s business!

Spyderco Lil Native Construction

The blade length on the Lil’ Native is 2.5 inches. What’s the advantage of having such a short blade? Some localities are restrictive and don’t allow blades over a certain length, and that length just happens to usually be 2.5 inches.

So the Lil’ Native is a knife that falls within legalities that cuts like a knife much larger than its size. Just like its bigger brother, the Native, the Lil’ Native somehow manages to perform like a knife that is larger than it is. The fact that it’s a flat grind blade that is somewhat wide for its length seems to contribute to this.

The knife weighs 2.4 ounces and the overall length is 5.94 inches.

The steel of the Lil’ Native, S30V, is not the latest super-steel, but at one time, it was the most advanced steel for cutlery. When it hit the industry, it was huge news. These days, people yawn at S30V, but it’s as good today as it was when it was introduced. It still holds an edge respectably and performs admirably, offering a very good value for knives. Many people get caught up in the latest, greatest steels and tend to ignore the older steels, which is a shame.

Are there advantages to a shorter knife blade?

Getting back to the small blade length, there are other advantages beyond the legal realm. Sometimes we might like to have a knife that does not alarm those around us. “Sheeple-friendly” is a term that is often bandied about nowadays. So having a good cutting tool without scaring the pants off of those around us might be a nice thing to have in certain circumstances.

My current job calls for me to do a lot of cutting of plastic shrink wrap on pallets of merchandise, and one of the 4-inch bladed tactical knives that I’ve carried for years is, quite simply, overkill. A smaller, more precise blade fits the bill in this arena for me and just makes more sense.

So how does the Lil’ Native cut?

Damn well!

Seriously. It’s hard to believe that the blade is as short as it is and still allows the knife to cut so well. It zips through plastic pallet wrap like it’s not there, and does a fair job on cardboard too. That full flat grind (FFG) really shines here.

Be aware that the blade is not the thinnest in the Spyderco lineup, so it’s probably not their best slicer, but it’s really good. Also, the slightly thick blade (and other materials of the knife) make this a fairly stoutly built folder, which appeals to me—a gentleman’s folder with a tactical flair. I love solidly built knives, and that aspect of this one is another factor that endears it to me.

Since I normally carry two knives with me at all times, I also have a larger folder with me in case I want or need more cutting power. Options are always nice to have.

Aside from that, over the years, my tastes have changed a bit. I still love tactical/combat knives, they’re simply cool and useful for defensive purposes. These days, though, I’m going through a phase where I’m into smaller knives. I enjoy gentleman’s knives with a tactical flair, as I mentioned. Spyderco fills the bill perfectly because their knives perform, and are also made of great materials, ie., G-10 handles, high-quality steels, effective locking mechanisms.

The Lil’ Native line offers some nice variety.

There are two blade finishes; one appears to be a type of satin finish, the other is DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon), a black finish. There are plain edges and serrated edges. There are lock backs and Compression Locks. And who knows what sprint runs Spyderco will concoct in the future, so the possibilities are limitless.

My current Spyderco Lil Native is a back lock, just like the full-sized Native, and is one of my favorite knife locks because they are so strong and never seem to fail. Since I’m raving about locks, I have to say that the Compression Lock is my other favorite lock because it is also very strong and I’ve never seen one fail.

I own knives from several makers, including liner locks and frame locks (including custom knives), and I’ve had both types of locking mechanisms fail at one time or another. Often, the problem is the lock bar can slip off the tang of the blade. I have never seen a compression lock or back lock fail. This is another reason why I love Spyderco; the fact that their locks never seem to fail, and they offer their knives at a fraction of the price of many other makers.

The Lil’ Native is linerless but uses Phosphor Bronze (PB) washers, which tend to smooth out over time. From the factory, my knife is pretty smooth, but becoming smoother over time is an attractive thing. The PB washers are a nice touch because they indicate quality and will last a lifetime.

Pocket Clip

The Lil’ Native’s pocket clip is excellent, and even on this tiny knife, it can be positioned tip-up or tip-down, on either side of the knife (totaling four positions). It is of what many refer to as the “hourglass” type of clip, as opposed to the wire clip that many of their knives currently wear. I commonly carry my Lil’ Native in the change pocket of my jeans, it tucks away and I barely even know it’s there.

The Lil’ Native Handle

Part of the marvel of this little beauty is the handle. Somehow it allows us to get a full grip on this tiny thing. The choil is the key here, as it allows us to get a serious grip on the knife by choking up for a lot of leverage and precision with cuts. Aside from the choil, the other curves of the grip really add to the ergonomics of the handle and the comfort of using the knife.

The G-10 is grippy and really aids in the grip factor of this knife, and seems to be the best material available for the job. In short, this handle is a true miracle. When closed the handle appears to be so small that I’d never be able to get a four-fingered grip on it. When opened, not only can I get four fingers on the grip, there’s actually a little handle left over, so it’s more than adequate for my hand size and would be comfortable for people with slightly larger hands than mine.

Are there any drawbacks to this knife?

I’d like to see jimping on the back of the blade where the thumb is placed. While it’s not a big deal—the grip really does a nice job of locking the knife into one’s hand—jimping would still be a nice thing to have. Certainly not a deal-breaker, by any means, but an observation. Aside from that one detail, I cannot see anything else that I’d wish for with this knife.

Another thing–people who love to incessantly flick their knives open might not enjoy the Lil’ Native so much because of the nature of the lock, as the blade does not fly open due to mainspring tension. Personally, I can’t see the allure of flicking a knife open constantly because it tends to beat up the stop pin of the knife if that specific model has one. To each his own; it’s a free country.

Overall, the Spyderco Lil Native is a spectacular lil’ knife that offers a large potential in a very small package. At the time of this writing, I bought one new for $136, which represents a solid value for the money. It offers a user a folding knife that can be legally carried pretty much anywhere that you’re allowed to have a knife. And instead of merely “having a knife”, you have one that will accomplish serious chores.

There are lots of top-notch reviewers out there, but when Taran Butler talks about a competition gun, it’s a big deal. The dude has won almost every competition that’s worth winning. Multiple times. I say almost because I don’t think he competes in Western shooting. Plus, he trained John Wick. But I digress. Here Taran gives us a quick rundown of the Sig MPX 9mm PCC.

Note that this is the competition version, which has a couple of minor differences from the standard version, mainly the addition of a compensator instead of a flash hider.

 

Sig MPX Features

Taran gets into the gun’s features straight away. (In the interest of thoroughness, I pulled some of these from the Sig website.)

• 16” carbon steel barrel with a 1:10 twist rate and 13.5x1mm threads
• Telescoping 5 position folding stock
• Drop-in match-grade single-stage Timney trigger
• 15” M-Lok handguard for your accessories Lights & Lasers 
• Sig compensator
• Improved built-in mag well for the 30 round MPX mag (ships with one mag) 10 and 20 round mags also available Rifle Magazines
• Overall length: 35.25” (Sig doesn’t say whether this is with the stock extended or not.)
• Weight: 6.63 lbs
• “Different bolt carrier.” The only detail on how it’s different is that “It pivots.” Sounds like a rotating bolt.
• Sig Romeo red dot. Taran says this is included on the competition version. 

Shooting the Sig MPX 9mm PCC

Being Taran Butler, he gets right into the shooting.

With the compensator, the lighter bullets supposedly shoot flatter but the heavier, in this case, the 147 grains, shoot softer. Taran’s experience bears this out and he recommends the 147-grain bullet with this setup. “Shoots really soft, really nice,” he says, later followed by the comment that the gun “…shot so damn soft compared to other guns of its nature.” So, I’d say that’s confirmation right there.

On the trigger, Taran says that the gun ships with “a little heavier trigger than I’m used to…but definitely better than stock.” After going through a few mags, he says of the trigger, “Twenty minutes with my gunsmith, and this thing will be like a sewing machine.” So, it sounds like the trigger is good, he just wants to tweak it the way he likes it. No big deal.

We get a glimpse of the gun’s reliability when he mixes a mag with all three bullet weights, from several manufacturers, and fires it quickly. Granted, it was only one mag, but the mag and the gun performed flawlessly. Taran also comments on the barrel, saying “the barrels on these guns are accurate as hell.” He says he holds tight groups at 75 to 100 yards.

For comparison, Taran pulls out an earlier version of the gun and runs a few drills with it. Now, he has run this particular gun for a long time, and it has been personalized to him, unlike the test gun. But it shows what the gun can be and, let’s be honest, any competitor is going to set the gun up so it’s best for them.

This review was truly a pleasure to watch, and I chuckled when he said the gun was “like legal full auto, it does all the work for me. A sewing machine of shreddingness.” I’d say the shooter had a little something to do with that but having a great gun doesn’t hurt.

The final verdict is unequivocal: Out of the box, though you can do some stuff with it if you want, “To me, the Sig…is probably the ultimate gun for PCC. The best 9mm carbine out there.”

Strong words but, as always, check it out for yourself. I mean, who doesn’t want their own “sewing machine of shreddingness?”

For another opinion, read this: “Best 9mm Carbine? Sig MPX”. If you aren’t familiar with Taran Butler, you can read up on him at Taran Tactical Innovations. 

It is one of the oldest arguments you could possibly have relating to firearms — Is 9mm really better than .380 ACP? It’s safe to say that we’ve all be a part of that conversation or heard one. Graham and Teya with AmmoLand TV took on the 9mm vs .380 ACP debate and gave their findings.

 

To approach this topic subjectively they want to compare the two calibers with similar handguns and ammunition loads. Graham stresses how important it is that the handguns have the same barrel length, locking systems, and grip or hand feel. He is able to accomplish that with the Walther CCP series and SCCY handguns in both .380 ACP and 9mm.

The SCCY handguns have a Browning style, or modified, locking block which SCCY calls the quad lock system. The SCCY handguns both have a 3.1” barrel with small visual differences. The Walther CCP handguns are a pistol gas delayed style with a 3.54” barrel. The Walther handguns are nearly indistinguishable with all other features looking the same.

9mm vs .380 ACP Testing — Ammo Choices

They use five different types ranging in grain loads from 56 to 102 grain for the .380ACP and from 65 to 147 grain for the 9mm. The ammunition they chose were:

• Hornady Critical Defense
• Hornady American Gunner
• Inceptor ARX
• Speer Gold Dot
• Remington Ultimate Defense (which should be noted that is designed for full-size handguns, which these two are not).

Testing

After selecting the ammunition, they shoot five rounds of each type of ammo through each handgun and measure the energy with a chronograph. While there are a few feed failures, the numbers don’t show a clear winner. If stopping power is what you’re after, the 9mm is the way to go. But there’s more to the caliber than just stopping power.

During the chronograph portion of the test, they notice that there are loads that shoot softer or harder than others regardless of the handgun. Taking that into account, they want to shoot the tamest load (ARX ammo) and the hardest load (Ultimate Defense) side by side in slow motion to get a better look at recoil. The main concern for this part of the test is the controllability of the handgun and being able to get an accurate second shot off.

Teya shoots this part of the test and starts with the ARX .380 ammo in the Walther CCP. She finds that both the CCP and the SCCY are very controllable and have little rise, with the SCCY having a bit more of a bite. For the ARX 9mm ammo, the load has more recoil than the .380 ACP but both guns are still very controllable.

For the Ultimate Defense load, the .380ACP Walther has a failure to feed, and after it is cleared it shoots very well. She comments on how it is very pleasant to shoot. The SSCY shoots well with her only complaint being that the spent rounds land on her head. The CCP has a stronger recoil in the 9mm load, but she could still control it and it was softer than the SCCY.

After shooting the different loads in both guns, her conclusion is that subjectiveness was king. There are variables to consider in deciding which is better like the shooter and their experience, the ammunition, and the handguns. The main thing is to be comfortable with the handgun and controllability comes down to personal preference.

It all comes down to what you are comfortable with and gaining the necessary experience with your system.

A bullpup shotgun is one that moves the action from its traditional place in front of the trigger and relocates it to a position behind the trigger. A bullpup design tends to have a number of advantages, particularly for defensive use. For instance, many would argue that the shorter overall length and increased magazine capacity make the bullpup shotgun an excellent choice for home defense,

That’s versus other types of twelve gauge, mind you; arguing a bullpup shotgun vs. a carbine or handgun is a debate for a different article. 

Here’s a look at some badass bullpups. 

 

• SRM 1216 Bullpup

 

• ATI Bulldog

 

• Rock Island VRBP 100

 

 

SRM 1216

Perfect Bullpup to deal with Xenomorphs

by Travis Pike

Magazine-fed shotguns are nothing new, but it’s tough not to be a fan of the design. Especially if you are a rifle shooter transitioning to shotguns. A magazine-fed option often retains all those skills you crafted on the rifle when it comes to reloads. Shotgunners might have fixed feelings on mag-fed shotguns, but they’ve proven to be quite popular. I’ve fired a great many of them, and my favorite so far is most certainly the SRM 1216 from SRM Arms.

The SRM 1216 looks like something that would be well suited as a game-breaking CQB weapon in Cyberpunk 2077 or whatever the next Halo we have coming out. It’s far from average, and its unique look certainly gives that bleeding edge sci-fi look we all know and love. I’ve long wanted to get my hands on an SRM 1216, and now I finally have. Boy oh boy, was the wait worth it.

What Is This Thing?

First and foremost, the SRM 1216 is a 12 gauge semi-automatic, gas-operated shotgun that utilizes a roller delayed blowback system that can fire 2.75 to 3-inch rounds. Yep, roller operated leaps out at you, right? Well, it should because, as far as I know, this is the only roller delayed shotgun out there. Roller delayed typically belongs to the HK series of rifles, pistols, and SMGs.

Two large rollers sit on the bolt and prevent the bolt from moving until the pressure has reached a safe level. Roller delayed systems are very simple and allow the construction of the weapon to be simple. Taking it apart to get a peak requires little to no time at all. Pop a single pinout, break it down shotgun-style, and remove the bolt and bolt carrier group. Ultimately, cleaning the system is super easy and takes no effort.

Most shotguns utilize a gas-operated system with some form of a piston or an inertia system. Both require a bit more complicated construction and the placement of parts that might make it tough to incorporate the unique magazine design.

The bullpup design also allows it to be quite short and handy. Not as short as something like the pump-action KS7 from KelTec, but it’s about 6 inches shorter than most standard shotguns and retains an 18.5-inch barrel. I know what you’re saying. Ahh, it’s a bullpup, and I’m a lefty.

Fear not, young man. You can order your SRM 1216 as a left-handed gun, or you can swap everything to make it left-hand friendly. This includes the loading port to allow lefty-friendly ejection. I won’t say doing so is simple, but the SRM Arms youtube channel documents how and what you’ll need to do so.

Inside the SRM 1216 Magazine

Let’s talk about that magazine a bit as well. The SRM 1216 utilizes a removable tubular magazine system. The magazine has four tubes that each hold four rounds. When the user goes Winchester with the first tube, they can rotate to a second, third, and fourth before needing to reload completely.

The tube can be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise on command. To rotate the tube you press a tab upwards to unlock the tube. The tabs are ambidextrous and very easy to use, and the magazine rotates without issue. What’s really cool to me is that if you run a tube dry, the bolt locks back to the rear. However, as soon as you rotate a tube into position, the bolt automatically loads the next round in the new tube and closes.

Removing the magazine and reloading is easy and can be done in the field. First, reach in front of the magazine and access the massive magazine release.

Press it in and then pull the magazine downward and out.

To reload, bring the magazine into the horizontal magazine well and then push the other end up until it locks in place. It’s not AR 15 fast but is damn sure a fast way to shove 16 more rounds of buckshot into a gun.

Another benefit of this tubular removable magazine is that the ammunition won’t deform over time. Shotgun ammunition left in a box magazine can deform due to the pressure from the magazine, which can potentially cause feeding issues. Here, this is never an issue since the ammunition is sitting in tubes.

Loading the magazine requires two hands. You have to pull back a shell retainer and slide in shell after shell. It’s easy but can’t be done with the magazine in the gun.

Blasting Away With the SRM 1216

Getting a grip on the gun isn’t tough. It’s got a short 13.25-inch length of pull and shoulders comfortably. The included recoil pad helps, and the only real downside is that the magazine acts as the grip for your non-dominant hand. It’s rather slick, and with a push-pull grip, my slide slides ever so slightly.

What happens when you mix a blowback-operated action, a bullpup shotgun, and make it 12 gauge? Well, you eliminate any and all recoil reduction you get from a pump action.

Alright, I’m being dramatic; however, the gun certainly has more recoil than most gas-operated guns. It’s not as rough as a pump-action, but when you start cooking off some hot loads, you’ll feel it. With reduced recoil tactical loads, it’s a kitten—the same with cheap game loads.

Reliability in Spades

The SRM 1216 feeds both reduced recoil loads and cheap game loads reliably and without issue. I often have a little fear of failure with a semi-auto shotgun and since this gun has such a novel blowback system I didn’t know what to expect. I was rather happy that it ran with everything I put through it.

High brass, low brass, buckshot, slugs, birdshot, and beyond worked without issue. The only load It didn’t cycle was the super low recoiling sub-1000 FPS trap loads I keep around. No semi-auto has cycled these successfully beyond one or two, and they are about the lightest load you can get for a 12 gauge outside of mini shells. Also, no, mini shells won’t cycle in the SRM 1216.

If you want a gun that cycles fast, then here you go.

Hot damn, does it fire, eject and load quickly! I can dump four rounds of buckshot out and on target in about 2 seconds from a low-ready position. Semi-auto shotguns also tickle me when it comes to tube dumps, and the SRM 1216 is no different. I can dump shells without tampering with reliability, and I did so for tube after tube of ammunition.

Running the Rabbit

For fun, I did a little drill where I loaded one round into each tube, set up four clay pigeons on the berm, and practiced transitioning from tube to tube. It’s simple, I set a Shot Timer up and hit go. At the beep, I went from right to left. Since only one round was loaded into each tube, I had to keep rotating the tube system.

I was quite slow at first, and his 7.48 seconds. That was an ouchy, and I learned that a forward grip on the tube made tube transitions much easier. As I practiced the drill over and over, I built a good rhythm in place and got much faster in just a few rounds. I got my time down to 4.8 seconds from the low ready with a hit on each target.

The SRM 1216 has a smooth rotating magazine that makes it easy to transition. Once I flip the tab up and start rotating the tube, the tab will relatch as soon as the tube finishes its rotation. You can’t accidentally rotate it too far. It’s very intuitive and simple to do.

On Target

The SRM 1216 has a sweet little trigger—roughly 6 pounds or so. A lot of rail lives at the top of the gun, and my HS510C is the perfect companion for this little shotgun. Like an AR rifle, it’s an ‘in-line’ design that makes AR height optics appropriate and easy to use. Mine didn’t include iron sights, but a rail section forward of the magazine is perfect for a front sight, and you’d have a long sight radius.

Personally, a red dot makes way more sense to me and allows me to engage rapidly. Semi-auto shotguns dominate close-range fighting, and red dots make it perfect for that specific use. I took some Hornady slugs out to 50 yards and range 6-inch plates over and over. With my favorite load, Federal Flitecontrol, I can absolutely put a load of buck right where I want it within 25 yards.

The SRM 1216 In Action

Do I have any complaints about the SRM 1216? Hmm, not many. The magazines are somewhat expensive at around 200 bucks a pop. There is a good argument that for home defense, you won’t be swapping magazines and are unlikely to need 16 rounds of 12 gauge. That’s all up to you, but I want at least one extra mag on tap just in case one fails me.

Other than that, it’s tough to hate the SRM 1216. It’s a very well-made, well-thought-out shotgun. Hell, the 16 round magazine doesn’t count as a ‘high-capacity’ magazine in less free states because it’s four tubes connected and not just a single magazine. The SRM 1216 is the sci-fi shotgun of my dreams.

 

 

 

ATI Bulldog

Bullpup Shotgun Review

Kat Ainsworth-Stevens

In the world of gun reviews, it’s only natural to think of classifying said reviews under specific headings: AR, bolt-action, shotgun, handgun. Sometimes, however, a gun comes along that defies your desire to fit it neatly into a single category, and that is where American Tactical’s Bulldog falls. The ATI Bulldog is a shotgun but also a bullpup. Interested? Read on.

American Tactical, or ATI, has been known for years for its imports. However, for 2020 they’ve been working to change that to US-made guns and they’re succeeding. ATI has justifiably carved out its place as a manufacturer of typically more affordably-priced firearms outperforming their price point in the gun industry. And although the  Bulldog itself is not yet a made-in-America model, that does nothing to lessen its performance.

The ATI Bulldog piqued my interest from the moment I first saw it at a gun writer’s event here in Texas. It was officially launched at SHOT Show 2020 – rest in peace, SHOT Show 2021 – but it wasn’t until the fall of 2020 that I was able to lay hands and trigger finger on it. At first glance, your admiration for the Bulldog will depend on your overall feelings about the bullpup platform, but even if you’re not an instant fan of the aesthetics it’s well worth taking a closer look.

What is it?

Bullpups are most simply described as guns with the action behind the trigger. For comparison, the action in an AR-15 is found above the trigger in the lower receiver.

The idea behind this is to decrease the overall length and increase maneuverability in close quarters. It also means you get a longer barrel in a platform with a shorter overall length, meaning greater velocity without sacrificing its CQB usefulness.

The platform can be traced back to 1901 and the Thornycroft Carbine which didn’t exactly excel in performance. It wasn’t until decades later, following World War II, that the bullpup made a noteworthy comeback courtesy of the French.

The bullpup had a rocky start and even today doesn’t have the fan base that guns like the AR-15 or Glock do, but it is edging its way into popularity inch by reduced inch.

Bulldog Specs

The ATI Bulldog was patterned after the bullpup platform to create a more tactical mag-fed shotgun. It’s smaller overall than most shotguns on the market but packs a solid punch thanks to its ability to retain a longer barrel even with a shorter stock.

The Bulldog has an overall length of 26 inches and a barrel length of 18.5 inches, keeping it within non-NFA guidelines. It’s chambered in 12-gauge and takes shotshells up to three inches in length.

Features include an AR-platform style charging handle, adjustable cheek riser, and rails that are both Picatinny and M-Lok. The gun ships with a trio of choke tubes, removable open iron sights, and a 5-round magazine. A 12-round magazine is available as an aftermarket purchase.

Range Time

If you’re thinking the ATI Bulldog won’t work for you due to its abbreviated stature, guess again.

My length of pull is long and I strongly dislike firing youth shotguns (or shotguns designed for the supposedly tinier needs of female shooters). But when it comes to the BullDog, the fit is fine. Bullpups in general are meant to be held in closer to your body. You can accomplish this by shouldering the Bulldog and holding the pistol grip, as expected.

If you’d like a bit more reach, ATI has your back. They designed the Bulldog so a spare magazine can be attached to the Picatinny rail beneath the handguard, allowing it to be used as a forward grip. Problem solved. Personally, this hasn’t been necessary for me but it does add versatility to the shotgun.

At the range, the BullDog shouldered naturally and the grip was not so short as to be uncomfortable. In fact, I did not and have not had any issues with its smaller size.

Sights and Range

The factory iron sights are open and adjustable and work accurately out to approximately 50 to 75 yards depending on the target. If your goal is to hit a Frankenstein-shaped target without precision and with only rough accuracy you can certainly utilize those irons at longer distances. Open sights have the added benefit of a broader field of vision which can be quite handy in close-quarters situations. An optic can always be added to increase range but remember you’re dealing in 12-gauge so your range is going to be limited regardless.

A slug’s reach depends on the specific load; some slugs have a velocity and energy that drop precipitously by 75 yards while others can make an ethical kill on a hog closer to 200 yards. It all depends on the specific load, so do your homework.

Trigger

The Bulldog’s trigger is more MILSPEC-AR-like than shotgun-like. It’s effective for its use and platform without grit or excessive travel. And if you, like me, are a fan of running shotguns fast—yes, you can accurately rapid-fire this gun.

I’ve had no trouble nailing single ragged holes out to 25 yards. The holes broaden past that distance but they’re still nice groups.

With one exception – a failure to feed that was easily corrected and took place during a hunt – my Bulldog has cycled reliably through its first few hundred rounds.

Bullpup Appetite

The statement has been made that this shotgun works best with higher-velocity shotshells. This may be true but it’s eaten everything it’s been fed, including Remington Managed Recoil 12 gauge 2 3/4-inch Rifled Slugs.

Full disclosure: that one failure to feed was the second round from a magazine full of those managed recoil slugs, so take that for what it’s worth. One time does not make a pattern but does somewhat suggest there may be some truth behind the gun’s preference for higher velocity shotshells.

Recoil is worth a mention.

Typically I don’t mind 12-gauge recoil and the Bulldog is no exception. 12 gauge is fantastically useful for waterfowl and deer hunting, CQB work, breaching walls, sporting clays – the list goes on.

The BullDog does have a shorter stock and as such, it doesn’t have the kind of attention to a recoil pad or system you might be used to from your full-length shotguns. This means there is more felt recoil than is found in many shotguns but it is by no means a problem. It’s something you’re probably going to be aware of but not concerned over.

The Wrap-Up

This is a fairly well-balanced bullpup shotgun that’s fun to shoot.

It performs well on the range on paper and steel but also gets the job done on whitetail deer. It might even be useful for home defense if shotguns are your thing for defending your castle. The Bulldog is certainly short enough to be maneuvered around corners more effectively than rifles.

It was originally offered in black but is now also available in FDE and OD Green. Best of all, with an MSRP of $499.95 the ATI Bulldog outperforms its price point. Online cost varies by retailer and is definitely subject to the whims of dealers during such a high national demand for firearms.

I give the Bulldog a 10/10. I think this is an enjoyable, unique gun to add to your collection.

Bulldog Specifications

Manufacturer: ATI

Model: Bulldog

Platform: Bullpup

Gauge: 12 Gauge

Barrel length: 18.5 inches

Overall length: 26 inches

Chamber: 3 inches

Color: Black, FDE, or OD Green

Features: Picatinny and M-Lok rails, adjustable cheek riser, removable and adjustable open iron sights

Ships with: 5-round magazine, 3-piece choke tube set

MSRP as of this writing: $499.95

 

 

 

RIA VRBP 100

Rock Island Armory Bullpup Shotgun Review

Travis Pike

If you’ve followed me at all on this blog, you may have noticed I have a real affinity for shotguns. Load ’em up with mags and they get even better. The Rock Island Armory VR series have been a big favorite for me, and their AR mimicking designs went from big and clunky with the VR 60 to svelte and sexy with the VR 80. In keeping with counting by twenties, Rock Island has released the VRBP 100. The BP stands for bullpup. This is not the first bullpup shotgun, but it could potentially be the most successful.

Shotguns are designed to be close quarters weapons and bullpups are super short and well suited for close range use. The RIA VRBP 100 is as long as an SBS 14 inch Mossberg 590. It’s not an NFS weapon though and has an overall length of 30.91 inches. It’s semi-auto and box fed. It comes with two 5 round magazines, but 9 and 19 round magazines are available.

 

 

RIA VRBP 100 SpecsThe VRBP 100 is the aforementioned 30.91 inches. The barrel is 20 inches long and the gun weighs 7.72 pounds. This is a gas operated gun and comes with two gas pistons, one for heavy 3 inch loads and one for light 2.75-inch loads. The gun has flip up iron sights and a Picatinny rail across the top and one offset on the right side. It has interchangeable chokes and comes with three chokes and a wrench as well as two 5 round magazines.

The VRBP 100 and Ergonomics

The VRBP 100 has some outstanding ergonomics with excellent controls. The compact gun places the controls in such a way that I can easily access them with a little practice. I don’t have to see the controls to reach them intuitively. The magazine release is placed in a manner that you can easily reach it when you grasp the magazine to remove it. The charging handle is non-reciprocating and is perfectly placed to rack the weapon, or to fix malfunctions.

The safety is very similar to an AR and has an authoritative click when engaged or placed on fire. It’s easy to reach as well. The gun’s stock comes with an adjustable cheek riser for use with optics. The zero setting is best used for the irons. There are also two QD sling points on the left-hand side only.

 

It does tend to favor right-handed shooters, but it’s not terrible for lefties. The gun has an ambidextrous magazine release and safety and working the charging handle and bolt with the right hand isn’t super hard. The magazine cut off and the bolt release is friendlier for right-handers though.

Lastly, the gun has three spacers that can be removed to shorten the length of pull by about 1.5 inches.

VRBP 100 Mags

I appreciate the fact they went with solid metal magazines. This keeps them together when loaded to the max with big 12 gauge shotgun shells. It makes them a little thinner too, and, in my experience, polymer shotgun magazines are harder to load than metal.

I’ve finally got my hands on a 9 and 19 rounder. Loading the 19 rounder was shockingly easy. The only round that was hard to get in there is the very last. Also, the weapon will load a full magazine with the bolt closed. The 9- and 5-rounders of course load very easily.

 

My only dislike with the 9 and 19 round magazines are the mag cuts. This allows you to see their capacity but seems like it opens up the mag to debris which may lead to failure. The mags all run well and have given me zero issues, so maybe the mag cuts aren’t an issue.

Dumping Mags

There is something about the raw power of a semi-automatic shotgun that just makes it so fun to shoot rapidly. When you toss in 19 round magazines it becomes an absolute blast. I loaded up the two five-rounders, the nine-rounder, and the 19 rounder and hit the range. The manual advises a 500 round break-in period and the gun needs it.

Out of the box I had difficulty with light birdshot. You know the cheap stuff. I had several failures where the fired round would eject but the bolt would not go far enough back to grab the next round. Dumping lube helped a little, but what really helped was full-powered shotgun loads.

 

When loaded with Mil-Spec Olin corporation 00 buckshot, the gun ran perfectly. I also used heavy Fioochi sporting birdshot that was 1 1/4 ounce shot at 1300 feet per second. After 250 rounds of the Fioochi ammo and a hundred rounds of buck things loosened up. I could then run el cheapo birdshot.

Recoil

I’m not a stranger to recoil and I don’t fear it. I love shotguns so I’m used to it. However, holy hell does this thing buck. Muzzle rise is limited but it slams straight back into your shoulder. I wear a nice bruise from my two days of full-powered loads.

Going Cyclic with the VRBP 100

Once the VRBP 100 was up and running I was amazed at how fast it cycled. I could dump rounds fast enough that four would be in the air before the first hit the ground. I blazed through 19 round magazines in mere seconds. The adjustable cheek weld is nice, but not needed with the iron sights. I set it on the wide aperture and it was perfect for blazing between targets. I used clay pigeons set on a berm and could cycle through 9 rounds on 9 targets in under 5 seconds from the low ready.

 

The VRBP 100 trigger is heavy, but the pull is short and the reset is mighty. You sure as hell know the trigger is reset and ready.

It’s more than a feeling, it’s a shove. The small and short stature of the gun makes it a natural pointer and it does offer a level of comfort and maneuverability not commonly found on shotguns.

Happily, after shooting all day my arms weren’t tired from holding the gun up.

 

The VRBP 100 balances well and most of the weight is held up by the shoulder. It’s a comfortable gun and with most of the weight in the rear, it’s quick and easy to take snapshots. The 9 round is the most practical, but the 19 rounder didn’t throw things off balance. Snap Shots are a critical component for shotguns and a bullpup just makes it easier. It was very easy to snap up and shoot, and the layout of the gun puts it so the sights are perfectly placed for making those quick snapshots.

 

 

One Mighty Package

The VRBP 100 is a blast of a shotgun. After a little break in period, the gun ran like an absolute champ. It became extremely fun and easy to dump shotgun rounds. The VRBP 100 is also well designed and well built. It’s the most intuitive of the VR designs and feels like it is of the highest quality. While it’s not for everyone, this interesting mag fed shotgun is surprisingly affordable and at the time of this writing barely started shipping.