Ruger Announces New Rifle: Ruger American Rimfire

I have a place in my heart for the Ruger American Rifle, I own one chambered in 30.06 and it can punch quarters at 100 yards and for 300 bucks that’s hard to beat. I just saw this out on the website as I go out there time to time to create wish lists and it was out of the blue but Ruger is now going to make that same Ruger American Rifle capable of accepting existing Ruger magazines chambered n 22LR and 22WMR. I know when they come out I will be picking one up. Read the press release below:

“Introducing the Ruger American Rimfire Series
August 29, 2013
Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. (NYSE: RGR) announces the release of the Ruger American Rimfire™ bolt-action rifle. The 100% American-made Ruger American Rimfire™ builds on the enormous success of the centerfire Ruger American Rifle®. With many of the standard Ruger American Rifle® features, this new line also combines several design innovations from the popular 10/22® rimfire rifle. This combination, along with the rifle’s adaptability, will appeal to all bolt-action enthusiasts – young or old, novice or experienced. The new line consists of four models – full-sized (22" barrel/13.75" length of pull) and compact (18"/12.5" length of pull) models, both of which are available in either .22 LR or .22 Magnum.

"The new American Rimfire series really ups the ante for performance in rimfire rifles," remarked Mike Fifer, President and CEO. "With proven technologies and features from the centerfire Ruger American Rifle®, the bolt-action rimfire models are sure to deliver accuracy, durability and value to consumers," he concluded.

Each model in the line includes two interchangeable stock modules that provide comb height options for scope or iron sight use. Standard models come with long length of pull modules, while compact models come with short length of pull modules. By simply removing the rear sling swivel stud, stock modules can be changed in seconds. All four stock modules are completely interchangeable across all models and are available at ShopRuger.com.

Models chambered in .22 LR feature the detachable, flush-mounted 10/22® BX-1 10-round rotary magazine and accept all 10/22® magazines, including the BX-25® and BX-25®x2. Models chambered in .22 Magnum use the detachable, flush-mounted JMX-1 9-round rotary magazine. The easy-to-use 10/22®-style extended magazine release provides smooth, no-fuss magazine removal. The 60-degree bolt provides ample scope clearance, while an easy-to-use, receiver-mounted bolt release allows the bolt to be readily removed without requiring a pull of the trigger, a unique safety feature among rimfire, bolt-action rifles.

The Ruger American Rimfire™ shares many of the features that made the centerfire Ruger American Rifle® popular among hunters and shooters alike. It features a Ruger Marksman Adjustable™ trigger and patent-pending Power Bedding® integral bedding block system that positively locates the receiver and free-floats the barrel, making these rifles true performers at the range and in the field.

Additional features include a satin blued, target-crowned, hammer-forged barrel that results in ultra-precise rifling for exceptional accuracy, longevity and easy cleaning and Williams™ fiber optic front sight and 10/22®-style adjustable, "V" slot, folding-leaf rear sight. A 3/8" rimfire scope base is machined into the receiver, and is drilled and tapped for Weaver® #12 bases (not included).

Ruger American Rimfire™ rifles feature a durable composite stock with front and rear swivel studs. All models have a suggested retail price of $329.

Here is the Ruger Website Link To The Firearm: http://www.ruger.com/products/americanRimfire/models.html

Here is the Specs of the Rifle:

FEATURES: Modular Stock System Rotary Magazine Magazine Release Power Bedding® Ruger Marksman Adjustable™ Trigger Lightweight Stock Tang Safety Hammer-Forged Barrel Scope Base Bolt Sights

Ruger To Create 450 Jobs

Ruger is opening up a new plant in Mayodan, South Carolina creating approximately 450 jobs. They are buying an old plant and turning it into a new gun manufacturing facility. They will be investing an approximate 27 million in the purchase. Read more in the newspaper article from fox below.

Article Link: http://myfox8.com/2013/08/13/mccrory-to-make-economic-announcement-in-rockingham-county/

The Nano’s Smaller Brother: Beretta Pico

Man, I saw the latest Guns & Ammo magazine and had to read more about this gun. It’s scheduled to be available in Q4 and I think it’ll be good to haul around when it’s hot or make a good nightstand gun. I really have a thing for stainless slides just so they hold up better being in an out of holsters and just being packed around. This little guy is no thicker than a deck of cards. The polymer bottom comes in several colors and it actually has real sights which I think is a plus for a gun this size. See the link below to Beretta’s website they have a pretty cool video up.

Product Image:

Product Link: http://www.berettausa.com/pico/

Product Description:

Pico 
Super thin, ultra concealable, and easy to configure, the Beretta Pico sets a new standard for the micro compact carry pistol. The thinnest .380 auto made…by a full millimeter…the snag-free Pico’s slide and frame is a true 18 mm at their widest point. The grip frame, sights, and caliber (go from a .380 to a .32 by changing the barrel) are all simple to modify. Extremely soft shooting with a double action trigger, the Pico is easy to control with its smooth, tip-to-parallel, straight line action. The removable, serialized sub-chassis and modular frame feature simple disassembly for easy cleaning and customizing. The modular chassis can accommodate a Lasermax Laser frame and be customized with a selection of colored frames. Even the dovetail quick-change sights can be adjusted or replaced by the user. Light, durable, and easy to draw from concealment, the Pico brings all the reliability and quality of a Beretta to bear on its standing as the leader of a new generation of concealed carry firearms.

Specifications:

Overall Length: 5.1 in/ 130 mm

Barrel Length : 2.7 in/ 70 mm

Overall Width : .725 in / 18 mm

Grip Width : .725 in/ 18 mm

Overall Height : 4.0 in/ 100 mm

Sight Radius : 3.3 in/ 84 mm

Weight unloaded : 11.5 oz/ 325 grams with empty magazine, approximate

ATF Shooting Weekend

Recently I had a few friends out on my farm to do some shooting. I had talked about some projects that I had going on mainly the shooting scenarios and you will see that I have some of them complete. I setup a little pistol range where we could practice drawing, firing from half height cover, firing at different angles, firing from a window, and firing from a corner. I think the guys had fun. I use steel plate targets that I welded myself from old scrap metal around the farm and welded them onto old sign posts. I use standard marking paint to repaint them after every session so that you can confirm via a black mark where you hit on the target and how consistent and accurate you are when shooting.

I also setup a long range for plinking with some of the 22 rifles / pistols we had, a 100 yard target, and a small gopher for super accurate shots. There’s a couple cool videos and one that we placed a Natty Light next to the muzzle break of the 50 cal and it blew it to shreds. I think I will have to link them via youtube so stay tuned on that front. Afterwards we grilled some BBQ’d some pork chops and pork steak along with some baked beans and potato salad. One of my buddies is a cigar connoisseur so I had to partake in the festivities to round out the ATF weekend.

Here is a list of the firearms we shot:

Pistols:

• Beretta 92 FS 9MM
• Beretta Neos 22LR
• CZ 75 SP01 Black Shadow 9MM
• CZ 52 7.62×25 Tokarev
• Ruger SR9C 9MM

Rifles:

• Aresenal AK-74 5.45×39
• DSG FAL .308
• H&K MP5 SD 22LR
• Mosin Nagant 91/30 7.62x54R
• Savage Model 93 .17HMR
• Serbu .50 Cal
• Stag Model 3 5.56
• Steyr M95 8MMx56R

Picture / Video Gallery

Preview: Magpul Diving into the AK Realm

Magpul recently announced that it will be diving into the AK realm with its new line of AK mags. I got wind of the news and went out to their website for some information here it is straight from Magpul:

”The Magpul PMAG 30 AK MOE is a 30 round, durable, lightweight, high reliability polymer magazine for 7.62×39 Kalashnikov pattern firearms. This will be the first installment of the Magpul AK magazine line. The AK MOE will be an all-polymer design, utilizing the same advanced materials and manufacturing processes as the rest of the PMAG line to achieve surprising durability. It features a removable floorplate, constant curve geometry, and high-reliability/low-friction follower for the performance you expect from a PMAG. Due to the interface of rifle and magazine in the Kalashnikov platforms, and the leverage that critical points must withstand, we knew we couldn’t leave well-enough alone with the AK MOE before we even started designing. Also currently in development, and arriving on the heels of the AK MOE, is the next release in the PMAG AK lineup, which will be a 7.62×39 magazine with a little more “Bulgarian” in it, featuring solid steel reinforcements at lockup points. MSRP is to be announced.”

image0033

223 1242 popup

Magazines Loaded vs. Unloaded

When I started to get into concealed carry and personal home defense I started to wonder what would be the consequences of leaving your magazines loaded vs. unloaded so I started doing some research and thought I would share my findings.

From what I’ve seen searching multiple gun related forums, there is no evidence to suggest that leaving them loaded will wear out the spring any faster than an unloaded magazine, I think it really comes down to type of use and personal preference. I have seen multiple forums mention that loading and unloading them or doing swap outs will wear them out faster. Leaving them loaded does not cause the spring to wear out any faster as long as long as you aren’t over compressing the spring. Many mention most quality magazines will never wear out in the time that you own the firearm. An unloaded weapon in my opinion isn’t worth my life as a deterrent and is not very useful in personal defense situations. I do liked to keep the mags oiled down just as much as my firearm. I spray Rem Oil on the inside of the mag lightly and then wipe it down with some as well. Keeps them functioning properly and prevents them from rusting.

.17 Winchester Super Mag Cartridge

I don’t know about you but I am excited about the .17 Winchester Super Mag which should be reaching shelves here at the end of May. So far two rifles have been announced for the cartridge but I’m hoping for some variation. Savage and Winchester will both be following suit but the Winchester will obviously be pricier and have an older rifle look similar to a Ruger No. 1 Rifle. The Savage B Mag reminds me of a Ruger American Rifle with a unique bolt look. The Savage is slated to have a MSRP of $349 but I think street price will be around $300.00. There’s not a heck of a lot of information out for the Winchester rifle that will be produced. I suggest you read some of the data on the round itself and look at its performance over the current .17HMR and .22WMR. I have several firearms in .17HMR and they are really a blast to shoot and very accurate compared to 22LR.

More info on the round and the rifle here:

http://www.gunsandammo.com/2013/01/04/first-look-17-winchester-super-magnum/

Redfield Revolution 4-12x40MM Scope Review

I found this review online from the Military Channel and I have to agree with most of what he said. I have one mounted on a Ruger American Rifle Chambered in 30-06 and it is a great scope for the money. I would definitely put it in the same class as a Nikon but I still think that the Luepold has better clarity and high quality glass. You can see some actual pictures of the scope on my firearm and some previous blog posts.

Here are some Specs:

• Reticle 4-Plex Accu-Range
• Item Number & Finish #67110 ( Matte ) #67115 ( Matte )
• Exit Pupil (mm) 8.9-3.5
• Weight (ounces) 13.1
• Weight (grams) 371
• Length (in) 12.3
• Length (cm) 31.2
• Mounting Space (in) 5.6
• Mounting Space (cm) 14.2
• Objective Aperture (mm) 40.0
• Eye Relief (in) 3.7-4.9
• Eye Relief (mm) 124.5-94.0
• Elevation Adjustment Range (MOA) 50
• Windage Adjustment Range (MOA) 50
• Lens Coating Vapor Deposited, Multi-coated
• Illuminator Lens System
• Adjustment Markings Accu-Trac 1/4 MOA Finger
• Click Adjustments
• Maintube Diameter 1”
• Environmental
• Protection
• Nitrogen Filled
• Actual Magnification 4.5-11.4
• Linear Field of View (ft @ 100yd) 19.9-9.4
• Linear Field of View (m @ 100m) 6.6-3.1

Link To Military Channel Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CMjjk04OfGk

Pic Gallery:

image0071

image0081

image009

image010

Ruger Voice Of The Customer Survey

All,

I am a pretty big supporter of Ruger firearms and the stronger stance they have taken for 2nd Amendment. The contact your representatives feature this year in the wake of all the anti gun legislation is a great example.

I gave them my feedback and if you so desire you should to.

Link to survey: Voice of the Customer Survey

Some of the things I outlined were:

· Expand your product line to get back into the shotgun arena and perhaps a muzzleloader

· Continue and enhance your pro 2nd amendment stance

· Develop and continue to expand your line of compact carry pistols

· Offer budget conscious / value for quality options to consumers (Ruger American Rifle is a great example of such an offering)

· Continue to offer excellent customer service

Ruger Adds Additional 5.56 Rifle to its lineup of AR’s

Ruger in many regards with the Ruger 5.56 Model is the mac daddy of AR’s on a consumer level not getting to much into the custom stuff that runs $2000 and up. It comes with a whole slew of accessories including Troy branded products for its $2000 MSRP but can be had for around a $1700 Street price. They have no come out with a Varmint edition named the 5.56VT. With a stainless 20’’ barrel. Looks pretty nice. I think for the same price I’d still prefer the mac daddy 5.56 model but I can tell you it is top heavy. The longer barrel might be nice for those long range shots as well. More info and links below.

Product Specs:

• Stock: Black Synthetic
• Capacity: 5
• Finish: Black Oxide/Hardcoat Anodized
• Length of Pull: 13.75″
• Sights: None, Picatinny Rail
• Height: 7.75″
• Barrel Length: 20.00″
• Overall Length: 38.25″
• Width: 2.50″
• Weight: 8.50 lbs.
• Twist: 1:8″ RH
• Grooves: 6
• MA Approved & Certified: No
• CA Approved: No
• Suggested Retail: $1995.00

Features:

• Two-Stage Piston
• Handguard
• Target-Style Trigger
• Stock
• Hammer-Forged Barrel
• Pistol Grip
• Charging Handle

Link to the product website: http://www.ruger.com/products/sr556VT/specSheets/5914.html