Gun Reviews

Did Hecker & Koch hit a home run with the USC Pistol Caliber Carbine, or is it a dud? Inquiring minds want to know, and as always, you’ve come to the right place for answers. We’re going to dig up the dirt and let you know what’s up. Merely the fact that you’re reading this marks you as an intelligent, discriminating reader.

Heckler & Koch

We won’t go into the fine details of H&K’s history, as it’s pretty much a household name among the gun community by this point. For most of us, when we think of HK, we realize that the weapon in question will be dripping with quality. They’ve been in operation for well over a half century and they’re synonymous with very high quality.

They made a massive splash on the world stage when SAS operators stormed the Iranian Embassy in London during the early 1980s to rescue hostages. Ever since people saw the special operators wielding H&K MP-5 submachineguns, they’ve been obsessed with H&K. And for good reason.

USC Specifications

These days, it can be difficult to keep up with new weapons releases, given the myriad of designs that manufacturers are cranking out at record pace. As such, we’re going to give a quick rundown of the USC (Universal Self-Loading Carbine) as far as specifications are concerned. After all, people like to know what they’re working with.

The first detail that some folks are going to enjoy is the caliber, which happens to be .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol). But wait, you say, this is a German weapon! What gives?! They always use the 9mm! Well, apparently, the Germans decided to go all-American with this one in the caliber department. Our guess is that they wanted to appeal to the American market, and what better way to do that than to go with the hard-hitting .45 ACP cartridge? Hell, it’s more American than baseball and apple pie combined! Not to mention, it tends to hit hard and solve problems, so there’s that.

The carbine sports a 16-inch barrel, again aimed at the civilian market. The overall length is 35.43″ with a height of 9.75″.

Weight is a handy 6.13 pounds, so it’s not a heavyweight. Readers may have noticed that this carbine is a derivative of H&K’s UMP submachine gun. The operating system is a simple, blowback design. The barrel is cold hammer forged.

A Rant About Materials

Much of this weapon is constructed of polymers, which keep the weight down and have proven to be very durable. Let me interject for a moment here in regard to this: while it’s durable and lightweight, polymer, to me, seems so…cold. And I’m being hypocritical here because I have polymer handguns and I like them, they strike me as being “normal.” But when we are talking about a carbine or SMG-clone, I prefer the MP-5’s mostly metal construction. I acknowledge that I’m being “old-school” in my preferences, and they are just that – preferences. It doesn’t mean that I’m right or wrong, it’s just my opinion. Because from all accounts, this carbine works very well, and so the polymer is very functional.

Years ago, I got to play with a UMP. Our Hostage Rescue Team guys used them and I was able to try one out. It worked great and was efficient, but to me, it lacked warmth and life. My opinion was that it felt more like a piece of balsa wood than a real firearm. Perhaps that’s a slightly exaggerated opinion of it, but it gets the point across. Again, just my opinion.

Yes, I’m being super-critical here, but it’s an H&K, so it’s only fair. H&K is the nee plus of weaponry, and they can take it, they’ve got Big Boy pants. Lest you think I’m being overly critical, I’m an H&K fanboy, so just simmer down.

Ergonomics

The skeletonized buttstock features a rubberized cheek rest as well as a rubber recoil pad. Not that there’s going to be much recoil in a .45 caliber carbine.

Some shooters don’t really care for the thumb-hole type stock, instead preferring the UMP’s standard pistol grip. From what I can gather, H&K had to go with the thumbhole because of import red tape, so it’s really not their fault.

Trigger pull is crisp, but on the heavier side, and can exceed nine pounds in some cases, which is fairly heavy.

The cocking lever is located on the left side of the forward handguard, just like many other H&K weapons. It can be locked to the rear like the others, as well.

Recoil

The bolt is heavy and solidly made. That brings good news and bad news. It’s very durable, which is good. On the other hand, that heavy and solid weight causes an odd recoil impulse. It makes the recoil of the little carbine seem more pronounced than it really ought to be. With the rest of the weapon being made largely from polymer, the bolt recoiling can seem sort of magnified, for lack of a better term. It throws the balance off. It’s not a huge deal, but shooters are noticing this phenomenon.

Despite that, I’ve spoken with other shooters who don’t mind the recoil at all and state that it’s fairly light. Overall, the recoil doesn’t really bother most people.,

Handling

The carbine’s lightweight design and short length mean that it swings from target to target at close range quickly and efficiently. The aperture sight picks targets up quickly, so several can be engaged in short order.

Accuracy

The front sight is the typical HK post with a hood. It works well, but past 50 or so yards, the sight is thick enough that it will begin to cover smaller targets. Pinpoint precision is not the order of the day here at longer ranges with open sights. In all fairness, though, the carbine is intended for personal defense. It’ll easily shoot minute-of-bad-guy and is more than accurate enough.

However, those who mount optics on the USC have noted very impressive accuracy with the little carbine. Smacking tin cans at 50 yards is child’s play. I’d wager that, even at 100 yards and a little beyond, the USC would be more than accurate enough.

Reliability

The great thing we’ve all come to expect from H&K is the reliability that is legendary with their products. The USC is no different, feeding all types of .45 ACP ammo smoothly and reliably. It’s really no surprise, given the carbine’s pedigree. I haven’t heard any bad reports about the reliability, so that’s a good thing.

Other Features

There are points on the receiver to mount Picatinny rails so users can attach all manner of optics, lasers, lights, missile systems, and a partridge in a pear tree.

The rear sight is adjustable for windage and elevation. The safety and selector is ambidextrous. To make it easy to operate while wearing gloves, the trigger guard is oversized.

Magazines

As expected, the magazines are polymer. And they hold ten rounds. As far as I’m aware, in order to use UMP magazines in the USC, modifications would need to be made, with a number of shops doing conversions.

However, there are aftermarket magazines available that hold more than 10 rounds for the USC.

It’s unfortunate that H&K did not cater to the US Civilian market by offering standard capacity magazines, instead choosing to go for the neutered variety.

Price

Street price is usually found between $1,500 and $1,600, so it’s not an inexpensive proposition.

Conversions

For those who simply have to have a UMP clone, there are companies that will convert your USC for you. With the conversion, your USC will also be able to use standard UMP magazines and it will have the pistol grip without the thumbhole stock. I’m given to understand that a lot of shooters are taking advantage of these conversions and are happy with the results. Obviously, though, those will be additional expenses to an already substantial price tag.

Final Thoughts

Heckler & Koch has done a fair job approximating the UMP with their USC carbine. Import restrictions mandated the thumbhole stock, so it’s really not H&K’s fault in that department, they did the best that they could.

It delivers accurate, fast fire to targets at defensive ranges. And it does it while looking fairly cool and high-tech.

The ability to add optics or other sighting systems is a boon for speed and accuracy. A low-power optic or red dot will add to the speed and accuracy of the carbine, increasing its efficiency.

Is it a great Pistol Caliber Carbine or a blunder?

Our verdict is that the USC is a great Pistol Caliber Carbine.

The post H&K USC: Great PCC or Total Blunder? appeared first on The Mag Life.

If you’re a shotgun fan, you’ve likely looked at the optic mounting options available for rifles and handguns with some form of jealousy. Rifles, in general, have so many options, but shotgunners are stuck with Picatinny rails and mounts, right? Well, not anymore. Shotguns are finally getting some love. One of the first companies to show shotguns love is a little company called Scalarworks. They produce something called the Sync mount for all your premium shotgun options. 

The Sync mounts come for Benelli M2 and M4s, Beretta 1301s and A300, Mossberg 500/590 and 930 series guns, and of course, the Remington 870s and 1100s. They mount optics by their footprint and are compatible with the RMR footprint, the Aimpoint Micro footprint, and the ACRO footprint. The Sync mount is the shotgun red dot mount we’ve always wanted. 

Scalarworks seems to be expanding this lineup, which I’m grateful for. When I purchased mine several years ago, they only made them for the Mossberg and Benelli and only for the RMR. It’s nice to see them expand and hopefully continue to expand. 

My Sync Mount 

My Sync mount is designed for the Benelli series and uses an RMR footprint. I’m not using an RMR but a Holosun 507C optic. As a side note, the Holosun, with its 32 MOA reticle, is absolutely perfect for shotguns and the spread of pellets. The Sync mount does require your gun to be drilled and tapped, and guns like the 870 often do not come from the factory optics ready. 

The Sync mounts are made from 7075-T6 aluminum, and CNC machined for precision. It’s incredibly durable but also super lightweight. Models vary slightly, but the Benelli version is less than .64 of an ounce. For comparison, a Pic mount and Pic rail weigh 2.71 ounces. The Sync mount has a watertight seal, and a sealing plate isn’t required to keep the water out of the battery compartment. 

The Sync mount replaced the optic rail on the Benelli. Installation is very simple three-step process. Attach the optic to the Sync mount with the A screws. Use 15 pounds of torque. Attach the B screws to the receiver. The B screws do not go through the sync mount; they act as anchors. 

If you look at the bottom of the Sync mount, you’ll notice key slots. You slide the Sync mount over these key slots and lock it in place. Then you grab the C screws and fasten the Sync mount down. It’s not too tough. The instructions are mostly universal across the various platforms, but make sure you check your individual mount and shotgun’s instructions. 

Why the Sync Mount?

The Sync replaces the Picatinny rail often used to attach optics with a direct connect mount. Outside of having the receiver milled for an optic, this is the best way to mount an optic. The Sync mount lowers the optic significantly. Picatinny rails and Picatinny rail mounts often force the red dot to be higher than necessary. This results in a less natural sight picture and a raised cheek weld. It’s usable but not optimum. The Synt mount eliminates this extra height. On the Benelli M4, it sits low enough to co-witness with the Benelli’s ghost ring sights. 

Beyond lowering the optic, it reduces the platforms and screws required to mount an optic. You no longer have to worry about your attachment and torque to a Picatinny mount and then that Picatinny attachment to your optic’s rail. There is less to go wrong. Additionally, the chance of the Sync mount failing is lowered due to the innovative attachment design. 

The mounting system spreads side impacts across four different anchor points. This means it can take a mighty blow from the side and not bend or warp with the optic. With a Pic mount and Pic rail, this could bend one or the other. 

To the Range 

With the Sync mount and Holsoun attached, I hit the ground running. The immediate effect of the Sync mount is a natural cheek weld that makes it easy to find the dot upon presentation. It’s centered just perfectly in my vision and makes it easy to get the gun up and on target. There is no microsecond switch to a higher cheek weld to find the dot. 

On the Benelli M4, this optic works wonders when you use the proper collapsing stock. If you’ve never used the stock, you might not realize that not only does it extend, but it travels at a slightly downward angle. At the lowest setting, it’s ultra-easy to use the iron sights but often tough to use optics mounted to the Picatinny rail. With the Sync mount, this problem is eliminated. 

While you shouldn’t slave dots to irons, there is some benefit to being able to co-witness. When it came time to zero the optic, I could lower it to the iron sights for reference, and then zero much quicker with fewer of my expensive FliteControl loads fired. 

I’ve fired well over 2,000 rounds with the Sync mount attached to the Benelli M4. It’s never even gotten remotely loose. I did ensure the proper torque was applied, and I’ve yet to find a single issue. Not only has the Sync mount remained locked to the gun, but the optic has also remained locked to the Sync mount. I’ve had this setup rocking and rolling since 2020 with zero issues. 

Syncing Up 

The Scalarworks Sync mount provides shooters with the best option for mounting shotgun red dots. Plenty of shooters might scoff at the idea of a red dot on a shotgun and see it as an unneeded upgrade. Sure, beads are fast, and ghost rings are precise, but a red dot is both. I have the speed to win a CQB fight and the precision to allow me to make the most of Flitecontrol and slugs. It’s the best option for a shotgun sighting system, and the Sync mount is the best option for mounting a red dot. 

The post The Scalarworks Sync Mount: Shotgun Perfection appeared first on The Mag Life.

Practical firearms classes are a great way to test your firearm and equipment. At a recent two-day Galil/AK Operator Course from Isreal Weapon Industries (IWI), many students found that their gear fell short or even was nonexistent. This made their life tough when it came to getting through the class but also where it really matters—handling their weapon to the best of their abilities. Below are some recommendations on slings, magazines, pouches, tools, and range gear for an AK course.

Sling and Attachments

A two-point sling was essential for this course, especially with the ability to tighten and loosen with a simple pull. As always, safety is a must with any firearm. A one-point sling just doesn’t cut it as it swings around when not handled. A two-point sling with the ability to adjust tension throughout drills is necessary to properly handle a firearm, no matter if it is close distance or far. The ability to adjust the tension with a simple pull is also important. It will allow for extra recoil management when tightened to the body but also allow you to give the sling less tension when the gun is on the body or when multi-positional shooting is needed.

Two-Point Sling Options

The Blue Force Gear Vickers Standard AK Sling comes with attachments that allow for attaching to any AK platform. Another option is the Viking Tactics sling. It is an easy-to-adjust two-point sling, but it doesn’t have the Blue Force Gear AK attachment accessories.

Attachment Points

The AK platform doesn’t have the normal rail platforms that we are used to. That means different attachment points for slings and other equipment are necessary. The Blue Force Gear ULoop Sling Attachment accessory has a nylon-coated rubber loop that can be run through any type of rail system and create a strong sling point. Ensure that when purchasing you get the correct width of accessory for your sling.

If all else fails, extra paracord thrown into your range bag will always do the trick. This trick was actually used in the course when a sling that a student brought couldn’t be attached to their AK rail. Paracord was attached to the sling, attached to the gun, and the student had a practical sling on their firearm.

Magazine Pouches

This was probably the gear that people fought with most frequently throughout the class. AK magazines come in a lot of different shapes and sizes with large feed lips on the sides. Thus, it is difficult to find good mag pouches that allow you to pull them from your pouch and also allow you to put them back into your pouch without struggling. Some mag pouches can make this easier, though, by having a wider pouch while still having tension on the magazine so you don’t lose it. In a class, you will want to be able to stow your magazines with ease due to the type of drills that the classes often run.

Note: At the minimum, I recommend having two magazine pouches on your belt and another way to stow magazines on your body somewhere. Some drills downrange involve three magazines at a time before you can walk back to your range bag and reload. The amount of magazines recommended will usually be stated on the class notes as well. This class recommended four magazines at the least but did not recommend how to set up your gear.

My 7.62×39 PMAG was able to fit well in the .223 HSGI Taco Mag Pouch. Dependent on the type of pouch and magazine, you may want to try out both .223 and .308 mag pouches. Another option is the G-Code Scorpion Mag Pouch.

Chest Rigs

Instead of a battle belt, chest rigs are growing quickly as a popular item for shooting courses due to the amount of gear that you can place on the rig, allowing you to get the weight of ammo and magazines off of your hips. If you’d like to go this route, the instructor of this course was wearing the Micro Fight Chest Rig from Spiritus Systems with a 5.56 insert.

Dump Pouches

A dump pouch is simply a bag that sits on your battle belt that can be rolled to stow or unrolled to use. This bag is meant to carry empty magazines but you may hear the joke of people putting their snacks and other unnecessary things in there. This piece of equipment comes in very handy during firearms classes due to the large amount of ammo that is needed down range. While many instructors try to time their shooting drills to ensure that every student can get through it without running out of around four magazines of ammo, sometimes this just doesn’t happen. A dump pouch provides a way to carry more magazines down range and stow your old ones without having to fill your pants pockets.

Forewarning: Some instructors may harp on a dump pouch due to you either grabbing an empty magazine accidentally from the pouch or the pouch making a lot of noise as you walk. In my opinion, though, the juice is worth the squeeze and a dump pouch is great for practical shooting courses.

Personally, I like dump pouches that when fully rolled down the opening comes out wide instead of flopping down. This makes it easier to throw magazines into instead of having to fight the opening. In turn, though, it makes for a bit of a larger pouch.

Magazines

As said before, AK magazines come in a lot of shapes and sizes. There were a few that functioned very well during the course and some not so much. Most magazines that functioned well had steel locking lugs.

The two brands that functioned well in various AKs were Xtech Tactical and Magpul. The instructor also mentioned that his experience with Xtech AK magazines has always been positive.

Tools

If you’re going to a class with a high round count such as 600 rounds, as this one was, the mindset of “something on this gun may go down” needs to be in your head. With that, tools need to be brought to the class. While instructors will often have their own tools, students shouldn’t be relying on them to fix their equipment. Be an asset. To do that, a good kit with various attachments such as Allen keys for scopes or screwdrivers for magazine pouches is needed. Specialized tools for sight adjustments are also needed especially in an AK course.

The Real Avid AR15 Gun Tool Pro multi-use tool is stored in a small pouch that can be easily thrown into your range bag. It has multiple Allen wrenches that fit popular-size Allen screws for tightening scopes and other equipment that may come loose during a high round count class.

In the IWI Two Day Galil/AK course many students needed their iron sights adjusted but didn’t have the tool. This meant that the instructor needed to go to each individual to adjust their sights with his front sight tool. Bringing your own tool can help with your own knowledge of the system and speed up the zeroing process during the class.

Lubrication

With any firearms class, the gun should always be lubed the morning of the class to ensure proper functioning. In this specific class, we actually field-stripped our firearms in a classroom setting and learned about proper lube points and maintenance procedures, thus making having your own lubrication oil a necessity. I used Breakfree CLP, a multi-purpose cleaning, lubricant, and protectant, and had no issues with my AK.

Gloves

Gloves were NEEDED during this class. AK hands are a thing. The constant manipulation of the Krebs safety along with aggressive mag changes and charging of the gun makes for some sore and blistered hands. Not only that, but the gun gets HOT. I ran the course with one glove, support hand side for the hot rail. The right hand I left open for trigger manipulation but did have many blisters from the safety manipulations. Don’t be afraid to go gloved on both hands.

Pro Tip: Attach a small carabiner clip to a belt loop of your pants to hang your gloves off of when you’re not using them.

As a female that has small hands, I like to use PIG Gloves from SKD Tactical as they fight my hand tight.

Other Range Gear

Water, electrolytes, and snacks/lunch are a range MUST when it comes to shooting courses. Many times you won’t be able to leave the range to go find lunch. Due to this, some easy-to-pack items are needed, as well as a way to transport and store these food items.

The largest hack I have found especially when flying with ammo is to use your cooler as a checked bag. Stay with me. Checking your soft-sided cooler with all of your ammo in it takes the weight out of your other bags. This ensures that your bags are not overweight. After you arrive, you now have a cooler that you can use to keep things cold on the range. It’s hard to find a spot to pack a cooler anyway, so instead of going without it, just use it as a checked bag and store things in it.

While the instructors will have a full med kit on the range, it doesn’t hurt you to have, at the least, a tourniquet on your belt.

Pro Tip: A simple way to do this is to wrap two easy-to-break-away rubber bands around the tourniquet and your belt. Mount it in a place where both of your hands can reach it. I.e. the middle of your back or front of your belt. 

Some specific electrolyes that deserve a mention is the IGNITE powder from MTN Ops. It has concentration-boosting vitamins while giving you a healthy amount of energy. I take it in the morning before any shooting match or course. I notice a change in my focus and energy but without the jitters.

Maybe not at a pistol class, but binoculars are always a great staple to have in your car. In this AK class specifically, we were going out to 300 yards with red dots without magnification. The instructors only brought two pairs of binos. Those who didn’t have their own binos were out of luck until the instructor came by with theirs

Last but not least, a notepad is ESSENTIAL at a course. If you are not taking notes on what you are learning, what is the point of taking a class? No one can take in that amount of info in that small of time and remember everything. Not all classes are as gracious as IWI and supply you with the notebook at the beginning of the class. Don’t be afraid to take down some notes in between shooting drills. Plus, a real notepad always looks better than you typing into your phone.

Keep Learning!

Remember, don’t be too hard on yourself if you find that your gear setup still isn’t perfect during your next class. Part of the fun of these courses is seeing what other shooters are running and getting ideas on how to make your setup better. Put some rounds down range, have fun, and keep working hard towards finding gear that is the most optimal setup for you and your firearm.

The post AK Course Necessities appeared first on The Mag Life.

The AR-15 is the most popular rifle sold in the United States today. You might even call it America’s rifle. Although the AR can built or bought in nearly any configuration for any purpose, the design’s best strength is as a tactical rifle for personal protection. The AR is ergonomic, easy to shoot, and can be modified for different shooters. Throw in standard capacity 30-round magazines and the defender with an AR is at the top of the food chain against the criminal element. But the AR was not the first nor the last tactical rifle on the market. There are other options out there that are proven, reliable, and available, should the AR not be up to taste. Here are five tactical rifles that aren’t an AR-15.

The Ruger Mini-14

The Ruger Mini-14 has been the anti-AR-15 for decades. Introduced in 1973, the Mini was marketed as a scaled-down version of the famous M14 service rifle. It is chambered in .223 Remington/5.56mm NATO, the same round as the AR-15 as well as the then-new M16 rifle that replaced the M14 in service. The Mini came with a beechwood stock and used investment cast receiver and action parts to cut down on machine time and lower costs.

The Mini is a semi-automatic rifle that uses a fixed piston gas system and a rotating bolt like the M1 Garand and M14. The Mini has the same right-side charging handle, trigger guard safety, and paddle magazine release as its bigger cousin. The Mini was designed to feed from proprietary 20-round magazines, though other options are available today.

From the 1970s until the expiration of the Clinton Assault Weapons Ban in 2004, the Mini was considered a cheaper alternative to the artificially expensive AR-15. It also lacked a collapsing buttstock and other ban features, allowing it to stay in production and on the market during the ban. Since then, the AR is mass produced by a number of companies and the Mini is generally more expensive than what would be considered a budget AR. The Mini has plenty of aftermarket accessory support, from collapsing stocks to scope mounts, but the variety is not nearly as endless as that of the AR. But it remains a good option if you live in a ban state or if nostalgia runs in your veins.

The Springfield Armory M1A

While Ruger busied themselves with a scaled-down version of the M14, Springfield Armory has been producing a full-sized semi-automatic version since 1974. The M1A is a battle rifle designed to fire the full-powered 7.62×51 NATO round. It uses the same piston and charging handle arrangement as well as the same GI peep rear and front National Match sights. The rifle was originally stocked in walnut, but a composite stock is available. The base model uses a 22-inch barrel. More recently, Springfield introduced the SOCOM and Squad M1A rifles. These rifles are modernized with 16.25-inch barrels and railed from the factory.

The M1A is heavier and more expensive than the AR-15. But the 7.62 NATO round is more barrier blind and retains its energy beyond three hundred yards. For those occasions where that more powerful round is needed, the M1A affords you more flexibility.

The M1 Carbine

The first AR-15s came onto the commercial market in the early 1960s. At that time, the M1 Carbine filled the same role as a tactical rifle that the AR does today. Introduced in 1942 as a light rifle for support personnel during World War II, the M1 Carbine weighed only 5.2 pounds and boasted fifteen-round detachable magazines. It used the same rotating bolt arrangement as the M1 Garand and later M14, but it fired the intermediate .30 Carbine round. It was not as powerful as the then-issued 30-06, but it was more powerful and had a longer range than contemporary pistol rounds like the .45 ACP. After the Korean War, M1 Carbines and both 15 and 30 round GI magazines, began to trickle into the commercial market. Original GI guns were soon accompanied by commercially produced rifles and a healthy aftermarket for accessories. Some of these newer rifles, like those produced by Fulton Armory, are excellent. Most others have teething problems.

The best rifles more expensive than the modern budget AR-15s. But if you already own one or find one at a fair price, the M1 Carbine is still a viable, though less adaptable alternative.

The Ruger LC Carbine

There are a few quality non-AR rifles chambered in 5.56mm NATO. The Ruger LC Carbine is a wild card made with the same intentions as the old M1 Carbine, but more adaptable like the AR. The LC Carbine is a blow-back operated carbine chambered for the 5.7×28 FN cartridge. The 5.7 is a cartridge of the school of light and fast power. It is a bottlenecked round that uses a nominal 40-grain spitzer round traveling at over 1600 feet per second out of a handgun, and a few hundred feet per second more out of a carbine. The round is adaptable to pistols and carbines and has a flatter trajectory than conventional pistol cartridges like 9mm Luger.

The LC Carbine features a folding buttstock and a 16-inch barrel with a generous M-Lock handguard for accessories. The rifle weighs only six pounds and feeds from detachable 20 or 30-round Ruger Five-Seven magazines. While the LC and its 5.7x28mm cartridge will not have the longer range of the 5.56 or 7.62 NATO, it is an excellent lightweight option inside 150 yards.

The AK

Americans armed with Armalite’s rifle have been fighting opponents armed with the Soviet-built AK since the late 1960s during the Vietnam War. Tens of millions of AK rifles have been produced and handed out to leftist regimes like candy, who in turn, used them in some of the harshest combat conditions. The AK is utterly simple and tolerant of neglect. Not to mention it is the gun of the bad guys, both on and off the gaming console and TV screen. Small wonder that American shooters came to love the AK. Ex-Warsaw Pact parts kit guns are still out there to be had, but there are now American manufacturers behind the effort to supply new rifles to a new generation of post-Cold War shooters.

The AK typically comes in two basic types: the AK-47/AKM in 7.62x39mm or the AK-74 in 5.45x39mm and feed from standard 30-40 round magazines, respectively. Both are excellent intermediate cartridges like the 5.56mm NATO. In fact, some American AKs are now chambered for rounds like the 5.56 and .300 Blackout. There are plenty of variations of the AK to go around and it can lead to some confusion as to which one is better or which parts and magazines will function best in some guns. American-made magazines might fit a Soviet part kit AK-74. But Bulgarian AK-47 magazines might not fit a Polish WASR-10 or a new PSA American AK. The upside of the AK is that in the American market, the rifle is more easily customized now than in years past. The AK is perhaps the most viable alternative to the AR-15, but it is neither the first nor the last to check out.

The post Top 5 Tactical Rifles That AREN’T AR-15s appeared first on The Mag Life.

The terms ‘fighting rifle’ and ‘rimfire’ rarely collide. If you are using a rifle to fight, it’s likely a centerfire and most likely in 5.56, or maybe 300 Blackout, or the AK’s favorite 7.62x39mm. There are many options, but one might settle for a rimfire rifle. Let’s dive into the rimfire fighting rifle and why one would choose a rimfire rifle as their fighting rifle. 

Why A Rimfire Fighting Rifle 

I wouldn’t suggest any rimfire rifle to anyone looking for a serious defensive firearm. A rimfire fighting rifle is a niche weapon that one should only use if one absolutely has to. A cartridge like the .22LR does not provide expansion and does provide any secondary wounding effects. These guns just poke little holes. Sometimes little holes can be enough, but it’s not optimal. 

If you, or someone you know, cannot possibly handle a 5.56 caliber or even a 9mm delayed blowback rifle, like the MkGs, then you might not have other options. Some people are frail, not very strong, or disabled. These folks need a rifle they can effectively and safely handle. A rifle is easier to shoot than a handgun, and for a person who falls into the above category, a rifle makes a bit more sense than a handgun. 

Additionally, maybe you are broke. Maybe you only have a .22LR rifle, and you have to make do. That’s understandable. If that’s the case, some of this list isn’t going to be for you. If I had to put an emphasis on only two things on this list, it would be good ammunition and a light. Please emphasize those two points more than any other if your money is tight. 

Which Rifle? 

Good question. There are plenty of great options. The S&W M&P 15-22 is an option if you want that AR-like modularity. The Mossberg Plinktser is solid, and so is the Winchester Wildcat. There are lots of options. If you already have a reliable .22 LR rifle, there is no need to upgrade. If you were shopping today, I’d choose the Ruger 10/22. 

The Ruger 10/22 is the most popular .22LR on the market. It’s legendary, and millions have been produced. They come in all shapes and sizes and are incredibly modular. They are also insanely reliable. 10/22s provide a lightweight and often compact frame for easy maneuverability indoors. 

Ammo Selection  

Here is where you need to be picky. Defensive .22LR ammo exists, and rounds like Federal Punch are great. They tend to be fairly light and fast, and it’s designed for a short barrel. You have at least 16 inches of barrel length and can probably use a heavier projectile in the 40-grain variety. My suggestion would be the CCI Tactical 40-grain rounds. 

These rounds are designed for semi-auto rifles and will ensure reliability. They fly fast at around 1,200 feet per second and will penetrate the necessary amount to reach something vital. 

CCI makes high-quality ammunition, and that’s a must-have for self-defense. One of the problems with rimfire rounds is their lack of reliability. Rimfire operation is less reliable than other forms of operations like centerfire. The higher quality of the ammo, the more reliable it will be. 

Magazines 

You want a reliable magazine, which means you probably want a factory magazine. If it’s not a factory mag, there are very few companies I would trust. I would choose a factory magazine of 10 rounds over a ProMag that holds 30 rounds every day. This is a big reason why the Ruger 10/22 is a great option. The BX25 mags pack 25 rounds and are crazy reliable. 

On top of that, they make a version that molds two magazines together for a jungle-taped style design. This gives you fifty rounds on the gun for a rapid and easy reload. It’s a great option for home defense, and 50 rounds of anything feels quite comfortable in any caliber for defensive use. 

A New Stock 

Most .22LR rifle stocks aren’t exactly modular or tactical, although some are, including options to tactical up your Ruger 10/22. A new stock isn’t necessarily needed, but they do make it much easier to add accessories and slings. Of the things on this list, this is probably the least needed. 

With the Ruger 10/22 in mind, there are plenty of stock options. Desert Tech makes a 10/22 bullpup stock to shrink the gun even more. Magpul’s Hunter stock gives excellent ergonomics and M-LOK slots. FAB Defense makes a great option as well. These add modularity and mounting slots for all manner of goodies. 

If your weapon has the means to attach accessories already, then you are ready to go. If not, finding a means to do so is a must which leads us to our next choice.

A Light 

A light on a home defense handgun is an absolute must-have. A weapon-mounted light allows you to obtain positive identification of a threat before pulling the trigger. A shadow in the dark is never the target. The target should be appropriately identified and then dealt with. Lights can be a bit pricey, and you might need to shop around, but at the same time, consider there is a reason they are expensive. Don’t be fooled by gimmick lights. 

Streamlight is a great brand for affordable weapon lights. The Streamlight HL-X is about $125 but comes with a mount and a pressure switch. It’s ready to rock and roll out of the box and casts one thousand lumens of white light forward. 

An Optic (and Mount) 

Like any modern weapon, the rimfire fighting rifle can benefit greatly from a red dot. At close ranges, red dots make shooting simple. Put the red dot on the target and pull the trigger. It’s not super difficult and lends itself well to defensive shooting. Red dots vary greatly in design and size. 

On a budget, it’s tough to find a better option than the SIG Romeo5. It’s a very simple red dot that just works. It’s not fancy, but it’s also affordable, durable, and reliable. 

If you want to spend a little extra cash, the Holosun 407C is an outstanding option that’s a bit smaller and packs a few extra features. It sticks tight to the gun and keeps weight and bulk low. 

You’ll need a mount that can vary from a simple Picatinny rail to a dedicated optic mount like the Rucker Machine mounts. It’s entirely up to you, and what is important is finding a way you can afford to get the optic on the gun. 

The Rimfire Fighting Rifle 

Rimfire rifles aren’t the best weapon to take to a fight. If it’s the only thing you can handle, then it’s what you have to fight with. Have no doubts a rimfire rifle can put a bad guy in the dirt quickly, but that relies on the user having some skills. All the gadgets and gizmos cannot make you a good shot or capable of proper shot placement. You need to get out and train with your platform, learn how to use it, and ensure the most effective weapon you have is the six inches between your ears. 

The post The Rimfire Fighting Rifle appeared first on The Mag Life.

Ever been in that spot where you think you see something cool but can’t quite see good enough to tell? You either think, dang I bet that was cool, or you pull out a gigantic pair of binoculars to see what it is. A big set of binoculars is great to have when you need them, but a pain in the butt to carry around everywhere.

Especially if you have a rifle, backpack, or a bunch of other stuff to lug around. Even if you just want something in the car when you need it, a large set of binoculars doesn’t always fit in the glove box. So how do you fix this very complicated problem? I’m glad you asked. The answer is to buy a monocular. It’s smaller, more compact, and you can use it with one hand.

Having some type of magnification is not always the first thing we think about when leaving the house. But when you need to see something far away, a good monocular is priceless.

After graduating from the police academy, my first “manhunt” was a guy that ran off into a wooded area. I was asked to watch a field to the east, so I parked on the edge of the field and watched intently. When I saw movement, I screamed on my radio that I saw him. When one of the state patrol men came racing down there, he was more than irritated to find I was seeing a deer move in the tree line. I bought some binoculars after that.

Vortex Solo 10X36 Monocular

So, what is a monocular? It’s half of a binocular, like the old pirate spyglass. This Vortex Solo has a magnification of 10 and an objective lens of 36. It has a multi-coated lens and is nitrogen gas purged. You can adjust the focus from the dial just behind the eyepiece making it quick to focus on whatever object you are looking at.

One of the things I like most about the Solo is its size. The overall length is 4.9 inches, and it weighs just over nine ounces. It has a metal clip on the side making it easy to carry on a vest, pocket or anywhere else you want to clip it. Even the shape of the Solo is designed to fit perfectly in your hand. It comes with a carry case and lanyard, but the clip is all that I needed so I never attached the lanyard. What makes this thing worth the money is the Vortex lifetime warranty.

I am critical of limited/lifetime warranty logos on products because they often mean very little. There is normally a clause that basically says, unless it stops working all by itself, we are not responsible for fixing it. But Vortex makes it clear they will replace the product no matter what.

Under their warranty guarantee, Vortex says “It doesn’t matter how it happened, who’s fault it was, or where you purchased it.” That is a lifetime guarantee I am willing to pay for. They also state you don’t need the receipt, just send it back to them and they will fix it or replace it.

What is a monocular good for?

Growing up, my grandfather always had a pair of binoculars in his truck. He would grab them when he saw something out in the distance that caught his eye. If we were going fishing, they went into the boat. If he fell in the water, well, they went with him. I even remember him using them in traffic one time to see what was going on down the road.

My grandma wouldn’t stop yelling at him to stop because she was afraid someone would think he was spying on them. Probably because of him, I grew up doing the same thing. Keep a pair in your car because you never know when you will need them. I still have a larger powerful set of binoculars, but because of the size, they stay in the case. The Solo monocular has been the perfect blend of size versus magnification.

When you need a quick reference point when hiking, or something quick while hunting, this thing is perfect. Because it is compact, it’s also nice for keeping in a bugout bag or with your survival gear. You never know when you may need to check down the road for zombies!

We normally think of binoculars and monoculars as something that is only used by hunters or hikers. But having them close by at home or in a car is great for lots of other things too. Even though my grandma didn’t like my grandpa using them to look at cars down the road, being able to see some type of disaster down the road could be helpful.

How durable is the Vortex Solo?

Typically, I like to put any product I review through a series of torcher tests to see how it holds up. With optics, I often bake them in the oven, soak them in water and drop them repeatedly. I never really got around to those tests with the Solo because I stuck it in my car and started using it.

But in the past couple of years, I have dropped the Solo numerous times on the job, and even left it on the top of my patrol car once. It fell off as I was flying down the highway and the guy behind me picked it up. It didn’t even scratch the rubber coating on the outside of it. It’s been in my car when it’s over 100° F, and below 16° F. Regardless of the condition it has always worked without issue.

I dropped the Solo in a bowl of water to make sure any moisture would not get in it because I can’t remember ever dropping it in water while working. As expected, however, the Solo is completely waterproof and there was no water penetration at all. This thing has held up great for me and with the Vortex warranty, I feel confident this will be a one-time purchase.

Need a pirate scope?

Ok, I know it’s not the same as a pirate scope, but that’s what my kids called it when they saw me playing with it. Either way, this is a no-brainer for anyone who hikes, camps, hunts, or goes on any kind of adventure. It’s also perfect for survival gear, bug-out-bags, get-home-bags, homes, and cars.

It’s light and the clip makes it easy to pack around. This is one of those items you may not think about, but once you have one, you wonder how you went without it before. If you’re looking for the next cool item to add to your gear, check out the Vortex Solo monocular. It will last a lifetime (literary) and you never know when you will need to see what obstacles await you down the road.

The post Vortex Solo 10X36 Monocular: Don’t Leave Home Without It appeared first on The Mag Life.

The Remington 700 has become a virtual legend in the firearms community. You’d best make some popcorn and pull up a chair as we prepare to delve into this legend’s history. Some 700s are fancy. Some are upgraded for law enforcement or military snipers. Others are plain, economy models for frugally-minded folks. But there’s a flavor for everyone.

Way Back When

The Remington 700 came to the market way back in 1962, but its origins date further back to just after World War I. It was a war of bolt action rifles, and our boys returning from the “War To End All Wars” were so familiar with the bolt action concept, and it was so loved, that manufacturers went with it and began producing them in huge numbers. It wasn’t just the popularity, though; manufacturers, who were geared up for war, had tons of components (literally) in their factories, and they didn’t intend to waste the materials and components. Those components, originally intended for military weapons, were converted into civilian rifles.

Remington was quick to deliver the Model 30, made from leftover Enfield parts and chambered in the very familiar (and plentiful) .30-06. In 1926, the Model 30 Express, which was lighter, replaced it. The 30 Express was available in many calibers and set the stage for bolt-action hunting rifles to come. After WWII, Remington introduced the Model 721 in 1948. The 721 and the following 722 in short action were popular with returning GIs for hunting and shooting. They were affordable rifles but were rather plain in appearance. This led to the Model 700 coming along in 1962.

The Model 700 kept the basic design of the 721 but featured improvements and came in a better-looking package. Over the years, the 700’s claim to fame has been its accuracy and the strength of its action, both of which are excellent.

Early Models

Initially, there were two models introduced: the ADL and the BDL. The ADL had no hinged floor plate (a blind magazine), whereas the BDL had a hinged floor plate, which facilitated unloading the magazine. There were both long and short actions, depending on the caliber the rifle was chambered for.

The initial price for the Model 700 ADL in standard calibers was $114.95 and $139.95 for the BDL. For Magnum calibers, the BDL sold for $154.95, and that included .264 Win. Mag., 7mm Rem. Mag., and .300 Win. Mag. For .375 H&H Magnum and .458 Win. Magnum, the prices were $310.00.

In 1969, Remington stepped up its game by offering jeweled bolts, improved stock finishes, and a longer bolt shroud as upgrades, and in 1973, left-handed versions were introduced.

Later on, the SPS (Special Purpose Synthetic) was introduced as a no-frills, utility-type rifle. The stock was all black, and the metal featured an all-black, matte finish. It was a working man’s rifle and exhibited excellent accuracy.

The Action

Remington subscribes to the “Three Rings Of Steel” approach. This is achieved with a recessed bolt face that fits into a recess in the barrel, and then the action (a third ring), creating three rings. In the event of a cartridge failure, these levels of protection keep the gases and particles from reaching the shooter, making the action very safe. Aside from the safety aspect, it also lends itself to accuracy; the recessed bolt face helps keep the cartridge aligned better. And that alignment contributes to accuracy.

Extractor

The 700’s extractor has long been criticized as being too “fragile.” People claim it’s no good and needs to be replaced with a more robust unit. To be honest, I’ve never seen one fail. Matter of fact, I’ve never even spoken with someone who has experienced one failing. And I’ve been around a lot of Remington 700s, as we used them on the sniper teams that I was involved in. If they were really that bad, chances are, we’d have seen issues with them, but we never did.

Aside from the issued rifles I’ve used and been around, I’ve owned a number of 700s over the years and have never experienced a problem with any of those, either. Consequently, I’m convinced that this is one of those urban legends that sweep through the shooting community.

Variations

Remington 700P

The Model 700P is a basic sniper rifle mainly intended for the law enforcement community. This is the rifle I was issued as a sniper on my state’s tactical unit, and I have several years of experience using this rifle.

It features an HS precision stock that has an aluminum bedding block so the action is solidly bedded. The stock has a palm swell in the pistol grip that gives a healthy purchase for the shooter’s hand. The bottom of the forend is flat for resting the rifle on sandbags or other surfaces, which adds stability from a rest.

Our 700P rifles came with the TWS (Tactical Weapons System), which included the rifle, a case, Harris bipod, and Leupold 3.5-10X tactical scope. The caliber was 7.62 NATO (.308 Winchester) with a 24-inch long barrel.

Aside from the 700P that I was issued, I also bought one for my personal use. These rifles proved to be extremely accurate, with my personal rifle easily shooting into 1/2-inch at 100 yards with match ammo. The rifles that my agency used were also very accurate, although slightly less so than my personal rifle. This was likely due to my rifle having a lower round count than the department’s rifles.

All in all, it is an outstanding weapons system that is durable and extremely accurate.

Remington 700 LTR

Remington introduced an offshoot of the 700P, the LTR (Light Tactical Rifle). It features a shorter barrel (20 inches) that is fluted. The stock is slimmer than the 700P’s, and lighter. I’ve handled the 700 LTR and it handles like a dream. The shorter barrel, which will lose a little velocity compared to the 700P, is far handier than its bigger brother. The lighter weight and shorter length offer immense advantages, especially when moving into an urban hide.

M40 Sniper Rifle

The M40 is used by the US Marine Corps, having been introduced originally in 1966. It has gone through several improvements over the decades, including the M40A1, M40A3, and M40A5. The A5 model was introduced in 2009. These rifles are based on the Model 700 and modified by USMC armorers in Quantico, Virginia.

The M40A5 features a threaded muzzle for the attachment of a sound suppressor as well as a detachable magazine. Original M40s as used in Vietnam had wooden stocks, but subsequent models featured fiberglass stocks.

The Marines are slated to replace the M40 series with a newer weapon in the coming years, the MK22, Mod O, which gives a couple of different caliber options. It’s made by Barrett Firearms and reportedly weighs 15.2 pounds (without scope or accessories).

M24 Sniper Weapons System

In 1988, the US Army adopted the M24 sniper rifle, which is similar to the Remington 700P. Chambered for 7.62 NATO, it used a Leupold M4 10x40mm scope. Some variants are also chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum, which is effective to appreciably longer distances than the standard 7.62 NATO round.

The stock is from HS Precision with adjustable cheek height and length of pull. As with most other rifles from the era, the M24 is being phased out in favor of more modern designs.

Parting Shots

It’s impossible to touch upon all the various configurations and models of the Remington 700 in one article. We tried to hit the high points and touch on some of the nitty gritty here in this article. With millions of Remington 700s in circulation, many readers are bound to be familiar with it. We hope you’ve enjoyed this perusal of the 700’s history, both civilian and military. There’s no doubt that it will be produced well into the foreseeable future and be around for many decades to come.

The post Remington Model 700: A Do-All Bolt Gun appeared first on The Mag Life.

The Kalashnikov automatic rifle/AK platform is a very different platform than other rifles, thus needing a specialty operator class for it. While many practical firearms courses will have an AK-specific class, it is simply their usual rifle curriculum with an AK thrown in. They often lack a certain level of knowledge needed from true AK subject matter experts. The two-day Galil/AK operator course from Isreal Weapon Industries (IWI) fills that gap with instructors that truly know the platform and how to operate it.

I recently took this course and would recommend this course over any other AK operator course on the market. Below is what to expect from this course, day by day, and how to sign up for future classes.

The Class

• Galil/ AK-47 Operator Course
• Date: April 01 – 02, 2023
• Hours 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Prerequisite: None
• Price: $500
• Round Count: 600
• Location: Gerrardstown, WV

Course Instructors: Thomas Alibrando w/ Assistant Instructor John. Tom has a lot of foreign weapons experience due to contracting overseas with multiple agencies and his time on a SWAT section. He teaches multiple courses across IWI. John spent time in a foreign armed forces entity and served in many different countries and capacities.

Students and Student Experience Levels: 12 students were in the class with half of them being very new to their AK or Galil platform, the other half being either experienced on their AK/Galil platform or new to the platform but an experienced shooter. A couple of students were repeat students in this class.

The Range

Peacemaker range located in Gerrardstown, West Virginia is a great range that is off the beaten path. It has multiple square bays, about six different classrooms, and two areas of long-range shooting, one that goes out to about 600, and the other goes past 1k. There is also a zeroing range that has some steel off to the side at 300 yards. This is where the class was held over the two days. It has employees there every day and is run pretty well as there is always an employee at the zero range and one near the square bays to help direct people on the range.

Peacemaker hosts many different classes as well as shooting matches. Memberships are available but classes and matches are open to non-members.

Day 1 — Classroom Portion

First, sitting down in the classroom there are multiple swag items on the table—an IWI branded shot glass, water bottle, handout of the PowerPoint that we will be going over, and my favorite a hard-covered book that has room for notes and a listing of different IWI firearms.

We spent about three hours in the classroom. Topics included: 

• Safety brief
• History of the AK and Galil
• Field strip and reassembly
• Differences in parts over time and between platforms
• Lubrication and maintenance
• Aftermarket parts and modifications
• Zeroing procedures

Thomas, the main firearms instructor for IWI, was a true foreign weapons SME. You could tell just in his knowledge of the individual parts of the guns and how they have changed over time. He took the time to ensure everyone saw specific parts of the weapons by going around the room and handling others’ firearms to show the difference. He taught different tricks in how to disassemble and reassemble the guns, such as tricks to slap the dust cover on. Also, he showed the Galil and how that dustcover is seated differently than an AK.

Tom also used this time to ensure that everyone’s guns were properly lubed and ready to fire by going over the proper methods for lubrication and maintenance. There were a few students that needed help with their slings and Tom actually loaned out some of his equipment to help them get through the course.

Day One — Range Time

After eating lunch and leaving the classroom we drove over to the square range. During the last portion of the day, the students went over the drills below. It’s worth it to note that Tom demonstrated every drill that he gave us. There was one drill on day two (with a very small par time that he set for himself) that he missed the first time. But during lunch, he went back down range and completed the drill in his allotted time. That just showed how passionate he is about the job and his abilities.

• Zeroing at 25 yds
• 10 shots at 100
• Shooting stance demo and drill
• Safety manipulations demo and drill
• Low ready, high ready, battle ready
• Trigger hold to rear and trigger reset demo and drill
• Charging the gun demo and drill
• Brief about buttstocks, kit, and slings
• Steel shoot competition

Day One was when it really became apparent that this class and instructor were designed for AK/Galil and it wasn’t just a recycled practical rifle class. The first thing Tom did was organize the class with Galil users on one side and AK users on the other. This helped him track the types of optic placements and zero’s needed. The zeroing targets were made for the AK with holdover boxes labeled for different kinds of zeroes and guns. AKs are a different animal when it comes to optic systems due to the many places that optics can be placed and many of these AKs were running irons so the targets were great. Zeroing didn’t feel rushed and a few had some optic mounts come loose. This was fixed on the line and the zero was adjusted for that student.

As far as the drill and demos, Tom made them specific to the AK and Galil platforms including Krebs safety manipulations vs non-Krebs safety, using one finger to move the safety vs two, etc. The racking of the gun was specific to the individual platform as well and he showed four different methods to do that. He then had us try each method during the drill but then allowed us to choose what works for us during the rest of the class.

We ended the day with a talk from Tom about specific pieces of kit made for the AK such as chest rigs and types of slings. We also went over different types of buttstocks and how they may affect the mounting height of the optic. One of the AK rigs Tom mentioned is a chest rig with an AK insert from SpiritusSystems, see that right below.

Day Two — Range Time

Day Two was all about mag changes, malfunction drills, and fast and accurate shots down range, then some distance shooting. I would say day two was where ¾ of our ammo was spent.

• Magazine changes
• Malfunction drills with partners
• Par time drills/half and half drill
• Positioning drills
• Assessment drills
• Turn and shoot drills/el pres
• Partner long range shooting at 175 yds and 300 yds
• Competition to win a prize from IWI
• Brief about AK and Galil magazines
• 15 rounds of full auto shooting from a Galil Ace provided by IWI

Day two included A LOT of shooting. One of my more favorite things that I haven’t seen anyone else do is the way that the instructors did the assessment drills. Many classes do drills where they ask the shooter to “assess” their surroundings after they engage their target. This usually involves a shooter looking around but not really looking at anything. In this class, though, the instructors actually held up items or fingers showing how many more rounds to put on the target. If the shooter wasn’t actually assessing and seeing how many fingers were being held up, the instructors would know.

At the end of the second day, Tom went over some specifics on magazines such as a magazine modification he likes to do for the Galil due to its specific feed ramp and which magazines work best for the AK platform, one mention being the Xtech magazines. We then had a friendly shooting competition to win an IWI rifle bag.

One of the cooler things that made this class particularly special, though, was that IWI provided a full auto Galil ACE for each student to shoot.

Conclusion

Overall, the money is worth the squeeze on this class. The fact that it’s two days allowed a lot of information to be put out without overwhelming the different levels of students. It also allowed students to try different weapon manipulations and see what works best.

The instructors were true SMEs for foreign weapons and the curriculum was created for the Galil/AK. It seemed as though a lot of work was put into it and it showed by how much better students got over the two days while still having a good time.

Upon successfully completing this class you will receive a certificate and a 20% off an IWI item (including firearms) that is easy to redeem. That in itself can be worth the course fee.

The only thing that I would say to make this class even better is to have one more instructor and dive a little bit deeper into the types and history of AK ammunition and what is available right now.

Future IWI Classes

Galil/ AK-47 Operator Course

August 05 – 06, 2023

Location: Gerrardstown, WV

• Price: $500.00
• Max Participants: 12
• Course Instructor: Thomas Alibrando
• Class Status: Open

Other IWI classes

• Level 1-3 Tavor and X95 Operator
• Tavor and X95 Armorer
• Home Defense Course
• Pistol Operator Course
• Pistol Mechanics Course

The post Course Review: IWI Galil / AK Operator 2-Day Course appeared first on The Mag Life.

Based loosely on the story of an ex-Alcatraz inmate who pulled a number of heists in the 1960s, “Heat” remains one of the greatest crime dramas ever to hit the big screen. It was notable in that the bad guys didn’t come off as sociopaths — even though it could be argued they were, given their ability to murder three security guards and show no remorse. Likewise, the police weren’t perfect, yet none were the typical “plays by his own rules” type that is so often seen in Hollywood.

Rather, “Heat” focused on a highly professional crew of thieves as well as the Los Angeles police unit charged with bringing them to justice. As it was filmed almost entirely on location, rather than a sound stage, it retained a level of authenticity rarely seen. Remembered as much for its dialog as action, “Heat” also surpassed even the works of Quentin Tarantino (and the imitators) in terms of visual style. Whereas other crime dramas had actors playing colorful characters, “Heat” comes as a film about seemingly real people.

What is also notable is that director Michael Mann had sought to make the film for more than a decade, and at one point turned his script into a 90-minute TV pilot for NBC. After it failed to receive a pick-up, the pilot was aired as a made-for-TV movie called “L.A. Takedown.”

After coming off the success of 1992’s “The Last of the Mohicans,” Mann was able to return to “Heat.” Wanting it not to be compared to other films, nearly all of the principal locations had never appeared on screen previously. In addition, the production hired British ex-Special Air Service (SAS) sergeant Andy McNab to serve as the film’s technical weapons trainer and advisor.

All this certainly helped make it a classic that can be enjoyed even for the 100th time!

The Guns Aren’t the Stars

Whereas firearms can often be as iconic in some films as the stars – “Heat” has no Model 29 Smith & Wesson, no Walther PPK, no M60 machine gun, or other small arms that immediately stand out. That is actually for the best, as it further implies that guns are just the tools needed for the job.

In fact, the closest to a “signature” gun in the film is the ivory-gripped Colt M1991A1 Series 80 Officer’s ACP carried by Lieutenant Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino). It has been suggested that it would be a fitting choice for the character, as Hanna is mentioned to have served in the United States Marine Corps and would have likely carried a Colt M1911 .45 ACP during his time in the service. The M199A1 certainly would be the choice of sidearm for someone familiar with the M1911 — even as in the 1990s, polymer-framed pistols from Glock and Sig Sauer were being adopted by law enforcement across the country.

By contrast, professional thief Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) shows almost no attachment to his handgun of choice — likely in keeping with his advice, “Don’t let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you feel the heat around the corner.”

At the start of the film, McCauley carries a Heckler & Koch USP, likely chambered in 9mm; while later he has a Sig Sauer P220 in .45 ACP. De Niro was actually just the second Hollywood star after Steven Seagal to be seen with a P220, as Seagal carried it in 1988’s “Above the Law.” However, Jackie Chan was briefly seen with it in 1991’s “Operation Condor,” but he still had yet to truly break out with American audiences at that point.

The only other handgun of note is actually that of the heist crew’s unstable newbie Waingro (Kevin Gage), who carried two different Star Megastars. Early in the film, his pistol is gun metal black, while later it is nickel plated. According to the Internet Movie Firearms Database (IMFDb), this is the Megastar’s only screen credit.

Also seen in “Heat” is a Beretta 85FS, several Beretta 92FS pistols (the choice of the LAPD), a Beretta 92SB-C, a Glock 19, and a Ruger KP90.

Shotguns and SMGs

Perhaps an unintentional “shout out” to Hollywood Westerns is the appearance of numerous shotguns; as such weapons were often employed by lawman and outlaw alike. Thief Michael Cheritto (Tom Sizemore) wields a Benelli M3 Super 90, while Detective Casals (Wes Studi) and Sergeant Drucker (Mykelti Williamson) carried the same Mossberg 590 — it is seen in the shootout following the bank heist, and later is used to breach a door. Other officers of the LAPD are seen with Mossberg 500s or Remington 870s.

By contrast, just two submachine gun models are noted for being in “Heat,” and these include a number of Heckler & Koch HK94A2 (mocked up as an MP4A3) that are carried by SWAT teams, and which are never fired; and a Steyr TMP, which is used by a would-be assassin. Though the TMP has become a favorite of gamers for its appearance in such titles as “Counter-Strike,” this was actually only the second film it appeared in after 1994’s “True Lies.”

The Colts of “Heat”

Most of the gunplay in “Heat” involves a variety of long guns — notably the Colt Model 654, which McCauley uses during the armored car heist, while his partner Chris Shiherlis (Val Kilmer) uses a Colt Model 733. The latter gun is carried by both men during the bank robbery.

By contrast, the LAPD, including Detective Casals, Detective Mike Bosko (Ted Levine), and Detective Schwartz (Jerry Trimble) — as well as some SWAT officers — are seen armed with M16A1 assault rifles. The presence of the M16A1 is actually notable as the rifle may not have been as widely available to the LAPD as the film presents.

It wasn’t until the February 1997 North Hollywood shootout, in which real-life bandits Emil Matasareanu and Larry Eugene Phillips Jr. had essentially outgunned the LAPD that the department acquired some 600 surplus M16s from the U.S. Army. It is worth noting that Matasaeanu and Phillips were reportedly fans of “Heat” and used the film to plan their robbery.

Diverse Number of Long Guns

A number of notable firearms to make an appearance include a Norinco Type 56-1 carried by Trejo (Danny Trejo) in the opening armored car heist and a Heckler & Koch HK91A2 rifle fitted with a bipod that is used by Shiherlis. During the bank heist Cheritto carried an Israel IMI Galil ARM Model 372 — however, the folding stock is missing during the robbery, but present when he is later in the car (an obvious continuity error). Apparently, even Mann was confused about the firearms as experts agree that the weapon in the film is chambered for 5.56x45mm NATO, the director in his DVD commentary called it a 7.62 (perhaps mistaking it for the Norinco).

Two different Belgian-made FN rifles make an appearance in “Heat,” but no explanation is provided. The first is the FN FAL 50.61, the paratrooper model fitted with a side-folding stock. It is carried by Cheritto in the armored car robbery, and due to the fact that it was used to shoot one of the guards, was likely dumped by the heist crew along with the other firearms.

In the downtown shootout, Hanna is armed with an FN FNC, an interesting choice for the LAPD detective. Perhaps this was a choice made to allow Pacino to stand out, or maybe Director Michael Mann had a backstory in mind that didn’t make it to the screen. However, Mann had instructed Al Pacino (and all the actors who played members of the LAPD) to fire only on semi-automatic, as the police would be concerned about the possibility of shooting an innocent bystander.

The gang led by McCauley clearly had no such fears!

A Sequel or Prequel

Though a classic that has a generally satisfying ending, it was reported in April that Warner Bros. was in negotiations with Mann to develop “Heat 2,” which could actually be a prequel and serve as an origin story. Just as De Niro once famously played a young version of Marlon Brando’s character in “The Godfather Part 2,” Adam Driver could play a young McCauley.

The post Guns of Heat – So Much More Than a Heist Film appeared first on The Mag Life.

I recently rewatched one of my favorite films, “L.A. Confidential,” and that got me into the noir world of California. Eventually, this led me to a game I never played but was also curious about. The game L.A. Noire came out in 2011, and somehow I just missed it. Since it’s 2023, you can find anything online. I purchased the game and strapped myself in for a unique experience. Rockstar made the game, and I knew a little about it.

I assumed to a degree, it would be an action game. A reverse Grand Theft Auto where you played as the cops stopping the bad guys. I was pleasantly surprised to find a game unlike any other. L.A. Noire is a fascinating experience, and it’s a shame that Rockstar didn’t follow this path. I can see it being a fairly niche experience. While there are action sequences, those are not the majority of the game.

L.A. Noire is something different.

The Concept

L.A. Noire sets you up as a Detective in Los Angeles just after World War 2. You play as Cole Phelps, a police officer who starts as a beat cop and later becomes a detective who moves from desk to desk, starting at traffic and working through vice, and eventually up to homicide.

The majority of the game is spent solving cases. You get a call from headquarters and head to the scene of the crime. From there, you start your investigation. As Phelps, you search the scene for clues and examine items and potential evidence. You can easily miss something if you aren’t clever enough to look everywhere. Plenty of items mean absolutely nothing.

Occasionally you solve a puzzle or put something together, and you essentially get access to another clue. With this information, you can question witnesses, potential suspects, and more. The questioning portion of the game is interesting. You have multiple reactions, from presenting evidence to bad cop and god cop suggestions.

As you play the game, you have to figure out which way to respond. If you miss it, you could blow the interrogation. As you ask these questions, you have to pay close attention to the person you are questioning, read their faces and reactions, and act accordingly.

The Story

L.A. Noire mostly follows Cole Phelps up and down the police ladder. Phelps is a veteran of the Marine Corps and a decorated officer of World War 2. The game slowly reveals more and more about Phelps and his past and his brutal experience in World War 2. The game has an overarching story, but it’s more or less episodic. Each case is a new episode. Phelps receives a variety of partners, and each adds to his story and legacy.

While you mostly play as Phelps, you do later play as another Marine and rival to Phelps named Jack Kelso. Eventually, it all comes full circle, and Phelps and Kelso’s past comes back in full force. It’s an intriguing story, and if you like “L.A. Confidential,” you’ll like the story of L.A. Noire.

How It Plays Out

L.A. Noire strives to do something different, which is notable. They used real actors to deliver professional performances and used something called MotionScan to scan their faces to deliver a realistic look. The idea is that this allows you to read their faces and reactions. It’s clever and works…mostly. Honestly, the graphical limitations of 2011 are in full force.

The interrogations are the game’s weakest point. While sometimes it’s more obvious than others, sometimes it’s a crap shoot. You’ll select evidence that seems to make perfect sense, and then it doesn’t, and you fail. The interrogation idea is solid but often falls apart in practice. Luckily, you could fail every question and still pass the mission, but if you’re like me, you like succeeding and get frustrated when you don’t.

Finding clues is easy and musical tones let you know when you’ve found them all. Slight vibrations give you a hot and cold effect of getting close to an object of desire. This is easy and fun when you find the right clue. As a game, it’s mentally stimulating and a reliable source of fun.

The Action Scenes

The action is good, albeit it is a little stilted and certainly of the era. It’s a third-person shooter, and the cover is important. You don’t use a huge variety of firearms, but each is different. The action scenes play out on occasion and are a good distraction from investigating, interrogating, and clue-finding.

The action scenes can be long gun fights, but not always. Sometimes you are chasing perps across rooftops, through allies, and parks. You can also end up in a fistfight with a fairly responsive fistfighting system. You throw punches, block, and grapple to knock a perp to his knees before the cuffs find a way on.

If you get bored on a case, you can drive around L.A. and find random street crimes to solve. Most add a little action to the gameplay, which tends to be less action-oriented and more cerebral.

The Guns of L.A. Noire

The game doesn’t have a massive weapon selection. As Phelps, you start with a Police Positive, but by the time you make Detective, you carry a full-sized M1911. Jack Kelso carries the cooler Hi-Power, and Phelps can use it, too, with the right suit. Each police car has an Ithaca 37 in the trunk you can retrieve if you need it.

We see Thompsons, M1 Garands, and Browning Automatic Rifles as well. Beyond the guns you can use, you will find guns that act as evidence. Rockstar did their homework and modeled the guns realistically, capturing almost everything right. You find an S&W Model 27, but S&W didn’t use the Model number designations until 1957. It does bear mentioning that they also call it the S&W Registered Magnum, which would be the more appropriate name.

Later on, an FN M1922 pops up, and it’s referred to as an FN Browning Model 1922. The gun correctly chambers the .32 ACP cartridge, and the gun shop owner states it’s not very popular here, but Europeans love them.

While there aren’t many guns, the ones rendered in the game are accurate and done well.

Too Soon For Its Own Good

I would love to see L.A. Noire remade with modern graphics. Or hell, give me a sequel. What about a Chicago Noire? That would be amazing, or even a private eye noir. Modern graphics and maybe a rework of the interrogation system could create an awesome experience. Sadly, Rockstar has taken a decade to make a sequel to GTA 5, so it’s not likely to happen.

The post L.A. Noire — A Gun Guy Goes Gaming appeared first on The Mag Life.