News

Semi-automatic carbines have become enormously popular. Applications range from law enforcement and home defense to competitive target shooting and hunting. The most popular platform is the AR15-based weapon chambered for 223 Remington. But if you visit your local shooting range, you will find AR-style carbines, circa the 1960s, shooting alongside historical battle-rifle actions made popular in the 1940s. Gun Tests magazine recently tested an M1A variant in the form of Springfield Armory's $2090 Socom II AA9627 with black fiberglass stock.

Leupold’s Mark 8 1.1-8x24 mm CQBSS riflescope has received American Rifleman magazine's 2012 “Optic of the Year” Golden Bullseye Award.

Taurus's new 405 Revolver is the company's first revolver chambered in 40 S&W. The new 445 Ultra-Lite Revolver is chambered in the popular 44 Special round and weighs only 22 ounces.

Carl Zeiss Sports Optics introduces the new 30mm Conquest Duralyt Riflescope line available in 1.2-5x36, 2-8x42 and 3-12x50 models. All three German-made models are available with illuminated reticle # 60 or non-illuminated reticle #6.

Carl Zeiss Sports Optics is offering customers an opportunity to save hundreds of dollars on its Victory binoculars.

Sturm, Ruger's new Ruger American Rifle is an American-made bolt-action offered in short- and long-action calibers. Ruger President and CEO Mike Fifer said, 'Our new rifle is lightweight and quick handling, yet manages recoil surprisingly well. With a great trigger, smooth-cycling bolt, and tack-driving accuracy, the Ruger American Rifle gives hunters an affordable tool to achieve success in the field.'

Sturm, Ruger's new Ruger SR22 pistol is a scaled-down version of a full-sized pistol suitable for plinking, target shooting and small game hunting.

The Second Amendment Foundation has joined the Calguns Foundation and three California citizens in a federal lawsuit against the California Department of Justice and Attorney General Kamala Harris, challenging the state's requirement that gun owners wait at least ten days before taking possession of an additional firearm.

A federal court has ordered the city of Madison, Wisconsin, to pay members of Wisconsin Carry, a gun-rights group, $10,000 to settle a lawsuit. The judgment last week closes a case that developed when police cited five people for disorderly conduct after they openly carried handguns into a fast-food restaurant.

The NRA-ILA reports that data recently released by the National Center for Health Statistics show that in 2008, the number and per capita rate of firearm accident deaths fell to an all-time low.

In less than six weeks, 56,000 people applied for a permit under Wisconsin's new concealed carry law and thousands more bought handguns, swamping the state agency handling the required background checks, according to a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article.

From the “Downrange” editorial in the January 2011 issue of Gun Tests magazine: Surreal experience today. Took an hour for lunch, and while munching on red beans and rice, I remembered I had the season-ending episode of FX’s Sons of Anarchy on the TiVo. So I engage the box and start watching the cliffhanger. If you haven’t seen that episode yet, stop reading now. Spoiler alert: