Shortshots

The American-made LCP II is built on a one-piece precision-machined anodized-aluminum chassis with integral frame rails and fire-control housing. Additional features include a through-hardened alloy steel slide; a black, one-piece glass-filled nylon grip frame; a textured grip frame to provide a secure and comfortable grip; a finger grip extension floorplate that can be added to the magazine for comfort and more secure grip, and a blued, alloy steel barrel. The LCP II ships with one 6-round magazine.

Daniel Defense has taken suppressed weapons to the next level with the release of the new DDM4ISR rifle. This new rifle, designed for fulltime-suppressed fire and optimized for the .300 Blackout cartridge, features a fully integrated suppressor attached to its barrel, so it's ready for suppressed service right out of the box.

"This revolutionary rifle simplifies suppressor usage by eliminating variables and uncertainty," said Daniel Defense VP of Sales Bill Robinson. "There's no need to attach a suppressor and wonder if it's mounted correctly and properly aligned. And no need to re-zero the weapon for suppressed vs. unsuppressed fire. The suppressor is literally part of the barrel."

The high-performance sup-pressor—constructed of durable, heat-resistant metal alloys and coated with a protective high-temperature Cerakote-C finish—features a user-serviceable baffle core that can be easily removed for cleaning and maintenance. It is permanently attached to a 9-inch Cold Hammer Forged fluted barrel with a target crown for superb accuracy and reliability. Because the suppressor is a permanent part of the barrel, extending the barrel to the NFA-required 16 inches, the firearm is not classified as a Short Barreled Rifle (SBR) and only requires a single tax stamp, for the suppressor.

Everything else about the DDM4ISR is classic Daniel Defense. It features a pistol-length gas system and comes standard with an MFR XL 15.0 modular handguard, which features a continuous 1913 Picatinny rail on top and Keymod attachment points at the 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions. This longer handguard, in conjunction with a DD Buttstock and Pistol Grip, make this ergonomic rifle highly maneuverable and as versatile as the .300 Blackout rounds it fires. A resilient Mil Spec + Cerakote finish protects the rifle from the elements and adds to its overall aesthetic.

Available in states where suppressor ownership is legal, the DDM4ISR has an MSRP of $3049.

Ruger is rolling out additional support for its new line of rimfire suppressors, the Silent-SR 22 line.

The Ruger Silent-SR sound suppressor was designed and built by Ruger utilizing fluid dynamic simulation and computer numeric controlled (CNC) machining equipment. Based on samples we've handled, the Ruger Silent-SR is easy to disassemble and clean. Each piece snaps together to seal the baffles and keep the byproducts of combustion away from the tube and end caps.

It is also strong and light, utilizing a titanium tube, aluminum rear cap, and stainless steel threaded mount, baffles and front cap. It measures 5.37 inches in length, 1.1-inch in diameter, and weighs 6.3 ounces.

Of course, what matters is how it reduces sound pressure levels of 22 LR, 22 WMR and 17 HMR pistols and rifles by up to 40 dB. It features a standard 1⁄2-28 thread pattern for compatibility with most threaded rimfire firearms.

The outer tube and muzzle mount are interlocked to prevent accidental disassembly when removing the suppressor from your firearm. A disassembly tool is included.

Also, Ruger is making it easier to attach the suppressor to your existing SR22 pistol.

The Ruger SR22 Threaded Barrel Kit 90520, $150, is a genuine Ruger factory accessory compatible with Ruger SR22 pistols bearing serial numbers 361-7XXXX and higher.

The threaded barrel accepts any 1⁄2-28 (Class 2A) muzzle device, including the Ruger Silent-SR. This kit contains a factory-manufactured stainless steel barrel for optimal fit and function. Barrel changing is quick and easy with no gunsmithing required, and a barrel cap, adapter, and wrench included. Note that the replacement barrel does not fit the 4.5-inch-length barrel model.

Worth noting: Ruger cannot bill to or ship to the following states and cities: California, Connecticut, Washington DC, New York, and Chicago, IL.

At the 2016 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Gun Tests staffers ran across many dozens of new products that we're working to include in future tests. Following are some of the rifles, rifle ammunition, shotguns, and long-gun accessories we found interesting. If there's something in particular you want us to test, please drop me a note at GunTestsEditor@icloud.com.

Barnes Bullets has added two new loads to the VOR-TX line of premium ammunition. The first is a 130-grain Tipped Triple Shock load for the 308 Winchester. It is rated at 3,170 fps, and it takes the 308 Winchester into a new realm of velocity. SRP: $45.69 for a 20-round box. The second load is an 190-grain LRX bullet for the 300 Winchester Magnum. This bullet's ogive and cannelure design gives it a high B.C., and the nose cavity engineering ensures it expands reliably at lower velocities. It is rated at 2,860 fps.

The Woodsman rifle is new from Bergara. This bolt-action hunting rifle weighs 7.4 pounds in long action and 7.1 pounds in short action. It has a hinged floor plate and comes with a 22- or 24-inch, No. 3 contour barrel. The stock is American walnut, and available chamberings include 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm Rem. Mag., 308 Win., 30/06, and 300 Win. Mag.

Browning's biggest shotgun news is that the Sweet Sixteen is back. Like its most revered predecessor, the new A5 Sweet Sixteen is built on a smaller, lighter receiver for reduced weight and a sleek feel. The A5 uses kinetic energy to power the recoil-operated Kinematic Drive System for reliable function with any load and under the full extremes of weather, temperature, moisture, or grime. The A5 16-gauge receiver is constructed of aluminum with a black anodized bi-tone finish. The stock—shim-adjustable for length of pull, cast, and drop—and forearm are gloss finish walnut with a close-radius pistol grip and sharp 18 lines-per-inch checkering. The gun uses Browning's Invector DS choke system; three chokes will be supplied with 2 -inch chambered barrels in 26- or 28-inch lengths. Weight: 5 pounds 12 ounces.

At the 2016 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Gun Testsstaffers ran across many dozens of new products that we're working to include in future tests. Following are some of the handguns, handgun ammunition, and handgun accessories we were interested in. Next month we'll look at new long guns and new options for them.

Given the growth of the AR-15 pistol market, aftermarket supplier ATI sees an opportunity to help users of the popular Ruger Charger get more enjoyment out of its use. The AR-22 Pistol Stock System features a polymer receiver chassis and a T2 pistol grip as well as a six-sided aluminum free-floating forend that sports an FS8 nose cone. The T2-style pistol grip lowers a shooter's hand to align the finger with the trigger, and the sure-grip texture helps reduce recoil. In addition, the stock also features a 16-inch aluminum Picatinny rail that runs the length of the receiver and forend for trouble-free optic and accessory mounting.

The biggest ammunition surprise might be the news that Browning is now offering, via licensing, a full line of ammunition manufactured by Olin-Winchester.

The BXP Personal Defense X-Point defensive handgun loads are loaded in black nickel-plated cases, with bullets utilizing the X-Point technology. There is also a line of Target Performance BPT loads for defensive handguns. The usual chamberings are represented in both lines, with one load each in 380 ACP, 9mm Luger, 40 S&W, and 45 Auto. Browning is also offering rimfire loads in 22 LR. They have a distinct black-oxide coating on the bullet and will be offered in 100- and 400-round packages.

Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. has announced a new line of full-size duty pistols, new chamberings for its GP100 revolvers, new barrels for its 10/22 Takedowns, and new colors for its Lite rimfire pistols. Also, the company has added a Takedown rifle to its SR-556 line. The Ruger American Pistol will be available in 9mm Luger and .45 Auto. The two 9mms are Model Nos. 8605 (17+1) and 8607 (10+1) and the 45 is Model No. 8615, and all will list for $579 MSRP.

The Ruger American Pistol is built on a one-piece precision-machined stainless-steel chassis with integral frame rails and fire control housing. It has a black nitrided finish, Novak LoMount Carry three-dot sights, a stainless steel slide with non-reflective black-nitride finish, and a one-piece glass-filled nylon grip frame. The front accepts accessories on a mil-standard 1913 rail.

"The Ruger American Pistol is the most advanced semi-auto pistol we have ever produced," noted Ruger CEO Mike Fifer.

The 9mm weighs in at 30 ounces with a 4.2-inch barrel and the .45 weighs in at 31.5 ounces with a 4.5-inch barrel. Both ship in a hard case with replaceable grip modules and two, nickel-Teflon plated steel magazines. Capacities are 17 rounds for 9mm and 10 rounds for .45 Auto. 10-round magazines are also available for the 9mm for those states which restrict round counts.

CEO Fifer said that Ruger polled law enforcement and military trainers throughout the country to determine the form, function, and features of this firearm. The new pistol combines a recoil-reducing barrel cam to spread recoil over time, a low-mass slide, low center of gravity and a low bore axis to provide better balance, less felt recoil and less muzzle flip.

The Desert Eagle .50 AE is a gas-operated, semi-automatic pistol with a 7-round capacity in .50 AE and 8-round capacity in .44 Magnum. Both guns are 10.75 inches long and have 6-inch barrels. Slide widths are 1.25 inches, heights are 6.25 inches, and weights with an empty magazine are just under 4.4 pounds in .50 AE and just over 4.4 pounds in .44 Mag.Both handguns include Weaver-style accessory rails for easy mounting of aftermarket optics and scope rings.

Walther's new PPQ in 45 ACP is the first true production Walther in that chambering in the company's history, Walther says. The gun is equipped with the Carl Walther quick defense trigger, traditional front and rear slide serrations, and ambidextrous controls like other PPQs. The PPQ 45 Auto will hit the market and be available in retail stores on October 1, 2015.

Cyndi Flannigan, Walther Arms' vice president of sales and marketing, says of the new pistol, "This new caliber and product offering is a benchmark for Walther and the PPQ. We have built it to the same exact German standards that have made this model so well received, and it is a superior choice for home defense and personal protection." We'll soon see about that.

Smith & Wesson Corp. will make three more lightweight J-Frame revolvers — the Model 442, Model 637, and Model 638 — available with factory installed LaserMax CenterFire laser sighting systems. They join the popular Model 642, which was equipped with a factory-installed LaserMax CenterFire laser in January 2015.

The factory-installed CenterFire laser is designed to fit the revolver frame. Located under the bore, the new sight features LaserMax's Controlled Activation feature, which enables the user to operate from concealment without revealing his or her position.

Mission First Tactical, a USA-made rifle/carbine accessory maker, has released the $200 TEKKO Metal AR Free Float 13.5-inch KeyMod Rail System. This all-metal free-float rail system (TMARFF13KRS) allows secure mounting for KeyMod accessories such as MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny Rails, tactical accessories like vertical grips, bipods, lights, lasers and other rail mounted kits. The free-floating nature of the rail allows for less torque on the barrel, making it easier to shoot tighter groups. The rail is made out of Type 3 hard-coat-anodized aluminum.

"Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas"

LWRCI is offering a free Aimpoint Micro T-1 2 MOA Red Dot Sight with purchase of any select LWRCI commercial rifle from authorized dealer stock. The consumer promotion runs through August 31.

"LWRCI has partnered with Aimpoint to offer what we believe is a true step-up promotion from anything out there," said David Ridley, senior vice president sales and marketing.

Any consumer purchasing a new in-the-box LWRCI commercial rifle from an authorized dealer will receive an Aimpoint Micro T-1 2 MOA red dot sight with pre-mounted 39mm spacer and LRP ($889) at no charge.

This promotion will apply to all LWRCI commercial rifle platforms: IC- 5.56; SIX 8- 6.8 SPC; R.E.P.R. 7.62 NATO, except for Legacy M6 and NFA models. Because of the free optic, rifles will be shipped from the factory during the promotion period without BUIS.

The Micro T-1 features ACET technology, allowing 50,000 hours of constant-on operation with a single battery. Gun Tests reviewed an LWRCI rifle in the May issue, giving it an A grade.