Subscriber Only

You would be hard pressed to find something more effective in a defensive situation than a 357 Magnum revolver. The cartridge provides more velocity and energy than the more popular 9mm Luger round. The 9mm and 357 Magnum both use similarly-sized bullets, but because the 357 Magnum case is longer, it can hold more powder, which translates to about 30 percent more velocity, and depending on the load, about 70 percent more energy. Certainly, the 357 is ballistically superior to the 9mm, but that magnum power comes at a cost, and that is recoil, as we found out in a recent test of 357 Magnums sized for everyday carry (EDC). We had four guns, three from Smith & Wesson and one from Rossi, the RP63 with a 3-inch barrel. The S&W contenders included the Model 360 PD 163064 with a 1.88-inch barrel and two Performance Center guns, a Model 19 Carry Comp 13323 with a 2.5-inch barrel and a Model 60 Pro Series 178013 with a 3-inch barrel. All of these revolvers are built on either a small- or medium-size frame, are chambered in 357 Magnum, have exposed hammers, have double-action and single-action triggers, and have abbreviated barrels ideal for concealed carry.

You would be hard pressed to find something more effective in a defensive situation than a 357 Magnum revolver. The cartridge provides more velocity and energy than the more popular 9mm Luger round. The 9mm and 357 Magnum both use similarly-sized bullets, but because the 357 Magnum case is longer, it can hold more powder, which translates to about 30 percent more velocity, and depending on the load, about 70 percent more energy. Certainly, the 357 is ballistically superior to the 9mm, but that magnum power comes at a cost, and that is recoil, as we found out in a recent test of 357 Magnums sized for everyday carry (EDC). We had four guns, three from Smith & Wesson and one from Rossi, the RP63 with a 3-inch barrel. The S&W contenders included the Model 360 PD 163064 with a 1.88-inch barrel and two Performance Center guns, a Model 19 Carry Comp 13323 with a 2.5-inch barrel and a Model 60 Pro Series 178013 with a 3-inch barrel. All of these revolvers are built on either a small- or medium-size frame, are chambered in 357 Magnum, have exposed hammers, have double-action and single-action triggers, and have abbreviated barrels ideal for concealed carry.

You would be hard pressed to find something more effective in a defensive situation than a 357 Magnum revolver. The cartridge provides more velocity and energy than the more popular 9mm Luger round. The 9mm and 357 Magnum both use similarly-sized bullets, but because the 357 Magnum case is longer, it can hold more powder, which translates to about 30 percent more velocity, and depending on the load, about 70 percent more energy. Certainly, the 357 is ballistically superior to the 9mm, but that magnum power comes at a cost, and that is recoil, as we found out in a recent test of 357 Magnums sized for everyday carry (EDC). We had four guns, three from Smith & Wesson and one from Rossi, the RP63 with a 3-inch barrel. The S&W contenders included the Model 360 PD 163064 with a 1.88-inch barrel and two Performance Center guns, a Model 19 Carry Comp 13323 with a 2.5-inch barrel and a Model 60 Pro Series 178013 with a 3-inch barrel. All of these revolvers are built on either a small- or medium-size frame, are chambered in 357 Magnum, have exposed hammers, have double-action and single-action triggers, and have abbreviated barrels ideal for concealed carry.

Capable of taking most North American game at reasonable ranges and hitting steel or paper at more extended distances, the 308 Winchester is a favorite of bolt-gun shooters across the country, and we think that a good 308 Win. belongs in just about every well-equipped battery. We found a couple of new rifles chambered in 308 Win. that we wanted to shoot, the first of which is the latest offering from Weatherby, fresh from their new factory in Sheridan, Wyoming. The Model 307 Range XP, $1150, sports a 22-inch stainless-steel fluted barrel, muzzle brake, TriggerTech trigger, and a polymer stock with some very interesting features. The second sample is Ruger’s Second Generation American Rifle 46902, $620. We’ve reported on American Rifles several times in the past, consistently noting that they punch above their weight class. From what we see in the Gen 2’s redesigned stock and barrel, it looks like Ruger may have moved this rifle up to a heavier division.

Capable of taking most North American game at reasonable ranges and hitting steel or paper at more extended distances, the 308 Winchester is a favorite of bolt-gun shooters across the country, and we think that a good 308 Win. belongs in just about every well-equipped battery. We found a couple of new rifles chambered in 308 Win. that we wanted to shoot, the first of which is the latest offering from Weatherby, fresh from their new factory in Sheridan, Wyoming. The Model 307 Range XP, $1150, sports a 22-inch stainless-steel fluted barrel, muzzle brake, TriggerTech trigger, and a polymer stock with some very interesting features. The second sample is Ruger’s Second Generation American Rifle 46902, $620. We’ve reported on American Rifles several times in the past, consistently noting that they punch above their weight class. From what we see in the Gen 2’s redesigned stock and barrel, it looks like Ruger may have moved this rifle up to a heavier division.

Early Low Powered Variable Optics (LPVO) scopes had 1-4x, 1.5-5x or even 1-6x magnification. We are finding that recent advances in optics have created individual scopes that are eminently usable for up-close shooting in a 3 Gun match as well as precise hits at 600 yards — but only if the reticle is designed correctly to handle both duties.

• Carry-Gun-Shoot-Out
• 44 Magnum Lever Actions
• Old West Revolvers

Give to Which Groups?

It’s time for my NRA renewal, but I have been disappointed with them recently. Even though LaPierre is leaving, I get better info from you guys, and would rather support a better group. Your thoughts? I know you have addressed this before, so pardon my question. Thanks, and keep up the great work. — Patrick

The most popular carry gun in America is a polymer-frame striker-fired 9mm. While the smaller slim-line 9mms sell the most, larger pistols, such as the SIG P365, Smith & Wesson Shield Plus, and the Glock 19, nevertheless maintain strong followings. Here, we are looking at 9mm pistols in this larger footprint, including a:

The most popular carry gun in America is a polymer-frame striker-fired 9mm. While the smaller slim-line 9mms sell the most, larger pistols, such as the SIG P365, Smith & Wesson Shield Plus, and the Glock 19, nevertheless maintain strong followings. Here, we are looking at 9mm pistols in this larger footprint, including a:

The most popular carry gun in America is a polymer-frame striker-fired 9mm. While the smaller slim-line 9mms sell the most, larger pistols, such as the SIG P365, Smith & Wesson Shield Plus, and the Glock 19, nevertheless maintain strong followings. Here, we are looking at 9mm pistols in this larger footprint, including a:

We’ve seen at least three changes in Marlin Firearm’s ownership over the decades, with the last coming when Remington Outdoor Co., which owned Marlin’s assets, filed for its second bankruptcy in July 2020. Shortly thereafter, Sturm, Ruger & Co. saw an opportunity and bought Marlin in November 2020, purchasing the Marlin name and all the tooling. The last of the Remington/Marlin-made rifles had a reputation for problems and poor accuracy. We wanted to see if Ruger properly addressed those issues, and if shooters who had been scared off by some of the reports from years ago needed to reconsider buying a redesigned Marlin.