Re: “Waterfowling Shotguns: We Like The Winchester Super X3 Best,” September 2016
After reading your comparison of the camouflage waterfowl shotguns, I was a little disappointed in the rating of C for the A300 Outlander. I have one in walnut; otherwise, it is the exact same as the waterfowl version. I took it out last winter and had no problem getting my limit of ducks. This spring I shot about 75 rounds of 7⁄8-ounce loads through it with no problems at all. The gun worked perfectly. My rating for this gun is a B. It has nice walnut, but I did a little work on the finish to make it look a little bit better. I’m 85 years old and have owned many shotguns to know that this is a good gun. I am still shooting and hunting ducks today. The recoil of this gun does not bother me. The reason I bought the gun is because it is lightweight. Keep up the good work.
— Keith
We wish you more great luck this coming season. — Todd Woodard
Re: Remington R51
What’s the latest word on the Remington R51? Are you going to re-test the new version of the pistol?
— James
Our Senior Product Coordinator said, “I have contacted Remington and they are shipping my replacement pistol. I should have it this week.” So, yes, we’ll get it in the works pronto. — tw
Re: “Problem With SIG P220 and Steel Casings
Maybe not related to a very recent issue, but I object to the fact that the stainless-steel P220 45 ACP mags supplied by SIG (with a new CPO 220) do not load steel-cased ammo. My old blue-steel 220 mags load and feed steel without fault. Les Baer’s stainless-steel 1911-style mags function flawlessly with steel. SIG writes that their guns are not intended to function with steel, but there is no warning of this anywhere in its literature. I shoot steel-cased ammo because it costs less, and once worked, it is just as good as brass. SIG ought to wake up and correct this.
— Jim
We haven’t seen this problem in our tests, so we’re not going to ding SIG Sauer for it. Several firearms manufacturers advise against the use of certain ammunition types, and we all know some guns will eat anything, and some won’t. Also, it may not be the material — the metal — but instead the dimensions, especially of the rim cut-out. The solution is to buy older versions of P220 mags that fit and function in your gun, because some of the older mags will feed steel-cased ammunition better. Also, some aftermarket mags will do better with certain pistol and ammunition pairings. If you want to see our coverage of the P220 models, check these issues: May 2001, March 2004, February 2005, August 2007, January 2009, and May 2016 (10mm). — tw
Re: “5.56mm Pistols from Kel-Tec, Spike’s Tactical, and CMMG,” September 2016
I just finished your review of the “wicked” looking Spike’s Tactical The Jack pistol. If you had to use this gun to defend yourself, and a prosecutor was deciding whether to prosecute you, would you want him viewing a gun which “has a skull face machined into the lower receiver.” Really? How about your earlier review of a 45 automatic with grips emblazoned with a skull? I once saw a car wreck where one car had flames painted on the side. When it came to determining who was at fault, would you want to be the driver of a car so decorated? Or, as actually happened in a kidnapping case, the suspects had a car with the bumper sticker, “I am the man your father warned you about.” And what about that sign on your property that says “Trespassers will be shot. Survivors will be shot again.” Think about the message you are sending and the effect it might have on your freedom.
— Donald
Hey Donald: Though the rules vary somewhat state to state, in the first scenario you describe, I’ve heard attorneys from Texas Law Shield (TexasLawShield.com) say repeatedly that how force or deadly force is applied — the gun, the ammo, the trigger job, the cosmetics — doesn’t matter nearly as much as the circumstances. In a home-defense situation, which is the context for that review, the gun’s cosmetics never come into play because of state statutes that protect the lawful use of force in defense of yourself and others in the home. I won’t say that’s true everywhere because it’s not, but most states line up with similar Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrines. As always, you must know how your local laws work. — tw
Re: “Three Trail Companions We Like,” May 2015
In the May and July 2015 issues of Gun Tests magazine, you wrote about the Mora of Sweden Moraknif 11746 Robust Companion MG Heavy Duty Carbon-Steel Knife knife and sheaths for it. I saved the two articles and finally purchased one of the knives from Amazon, and am now looking to buy a leather sheath. I just sent an e-mail to lastditchleatherworks@aol.com and it was returned as failed permanently. Can you help me reach Mr. Scow about making a leather knife sheath for me? Please advise.
— Bill
Regrettably, that’s the only contact information for Mr. Scow we ever had. Here’s hoping that six degrees of separation finds Mr. Scow in good health and able to respond. — tw
Re: “9mm Subcompact Shoot-out: Nano, LC9s, and the XD-S 3.3,” February 2015
Long-time subscriber here. I got one of the first Ruger LCPs out there, and it was rugged and reliable. But I didn’t like the trigger, as it was way too long, and I’d have to almost change my grip to fire it. I bought the improved LCP with the red trigger and sold the other one. I love the new one. After much research, I bought a Ruger LC9s, after reading that the first ones out had problems. I took my new gun to the range, and after about 60 rounds, it quit. The action wouldn’t recock. Initially, I didn’t know whether to be angry or proud that I’d broken a Ruger. I’ve had a Ruger 10/22 since 1968, and Ruger handguns all my life and was unable to break them.
Anyway, I contacted Ruger, and then sent the gun to them in Prescott. Absolutely wonderful people that I talked to. I got the LC9s back about three weeks later, and off to the range I went. I fired factory ball ammo and assorted hollow points through it with no problem, more than 100 rounds. It’s what I’m carrying right now.
— Mark
Re: “380 ACP Shoot Out: Ruger LCP Takes On Remington, Rock Island,” August 2016
As before, allow me to preface my comments with compliments on your content, format, and, most important, your absolute honesty. I am 71 years old, formerly a police officer (when domestic calls involved dinosaurs) as well as 15 years of military service in the Navy, Army, and Marine Corps.
As such, I have seen and done much, but I am still amazed at how many people praise “pocket pistols” over a more substantial weapon. I have carried for about 60 years (yes, I carried when I was 11) and have used virtually every caliber. As I got older, I have gone from the 45 ACP to a Ruger SR9C in, of course, 9mm for a multitude of age-related reasons, but still consider being armed a responsibility to my family. Using the extended magazine, I am comfortable having that 16 rounds plus two spares in a custom Rick Harvey mag carrier (with the bonus of a flashlight between the mags). At 6’5″ and 185 pounds, this is easy to carry (24/7/365) and conceal. During the several events whereupon it was necessary to draw my weapon (in the past four years), I never felt undergunned, but I would have felt that with just the Ruger LCP in my ankle holster. People need to face reality; real life usually dictates you need more than the rounds available in a pocket pistol. And yes, I am old and grumpy.
— Steven
It’s hard to argue with anything you said, and your words carry the weight of experience. Still, every concealed carrier has to make the gun/life balance for himself or herself. — tw
Likes His New Hi-Point
I know that many Gun Tests readers have questioned your previous recommendations of various Hi-Point products over the years, but I recently purchased a Hi-Point JHP 45 ACP, and I could not be more pleased. As per the attached pictures, shooting off-hand, standing, and from 35 feet, using inexpensive regular ammo, I aimed for the center of the white square; I then used the bullet hole as my aim point for the next three shots. I am not an expert marksman. I have a Ruger Blackhawk 357 Magnum and two blackpowder revolvers; this was my first 45 pistol, and for under $200, I am very pleased. I did buy and install the carbon-fiber grips straight from Hi-Point’s website. Please share these results with your other readers.
— Calvin
Happy to do that, Calvin. — tw
