May 2010

Wild Bunch Pistols: Colt 1918 Leads The Pack, But At A Price!
While it seems as if the 1911 self-loader lords over most competition courses, there are certain games in which the 1911 is prohibited. There are revolver-only matches and long-range matches in which the 1911 is not a player. Among the greatest games going is Cowboy Action. Cowboy Action Shooting gets the old guns of the West and their modern replicas burning powder again. This is a great chance for lots of fun and an opportunity to meet some nice folks with an interest in shooting. The game is challenging, and there is a set of rules that dictates what you may use. As an example, the traditional revolver class includes original Colt Single Action Army revolvers and replicas such as the Ruger Vaquero. The modern class makes allowances for adjustable-sight single-action revolvers such as the Ruger Blackhawk. There is always a lively debate as to the relative merits of each firearm, but it is pretty obvious in competition which holds up the best.

22 LR Semiauto Shootout: ISSC, Sig Sauer, and Walther
As ammo prices continue to rise and availability remains spotty, more and more firearm enthusiasts are looking for less costly ways to extend their time on the shooting range. A natural solution is the 22 rimfire cartridge. Besides its cheaper price and greater availability, the recoil-friendly round makes it an excellent choice for those who are new to firearms. It’s also a good choice as a training round for experienced shooters looking to refine their technique. Some manufacturers have begun to recognize this trend, and have begun manufacturing models designed to meet this new demand. We recently evaluated three AR-style rifles chambered in 22 LR in the February 2010 Issue. This month we decided to look at three semiautomatic pistols which could function as low-cost shooting trainers.

'Rim-Tac' Rifles, Round II: The Sig 522 Edges Umarex's M4
In February 2010, we began evaluating tactical or military-style carbines chambered for the 22 LR round, and we continue to find new guns in what we call the 'rim-tac' category. Previously, we looked at one AR-15 derivative, one tac-styled 10/22, and another carbine that more closely resembled a 1941 Russian machine gun. Our test guns were the Ruger SR-22R No. 1226 22 LR, $625; Smith & Wesson’s M&P 15-22 No. 811030 22 LR, $569; and the Legacy Sports Puma Wildcat PPS2250S 22 LR, $550. In that test, we narrowly liked the Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 the best, giving it an A grade compared to the Ruger’s A- tally and the Wildcat’s B grade. Along the way, we had a heckuva lot of fun with the rifles without breaking the ammo bank. So, we gathered up two more rimfire samples from Umarex and Sig Sauer and wheelbarrowed bricks of 22 fodder to the range and had at it. Our test guns this round were the very different Colt M4 Carbine No. 2245050 22 LR, $576; and the Sig Sauer Sig522 Classic No. SIG522001 22 LR, $572.