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FN P90 5.7X28mm review, civilian version of the MP90 full auto

To start with we are sorry for not posting anything in a while. We have had some computer issues that kept us from posting. Hopefully this will not happen again. Now onto the review below.

On this the Eighth anniversary off the attacks on the world trade centers and pentagon (9/11) just some thoughts

No matter how you feel about the government, current and past president’s, or the war in total, there are a few things you MUST do. Always respect and show reference for the USA troops who are overseas in the war zone. We have an ALL volunteer military. Those men and women are doing what they are ordered to do. (Trust me my brother is in the Army. For I know where I speak.)

We should also remember those who lost their lives in New York, Washington DC, Pennsylvania. Including the pilots, crew, and all of those poor people in the plains. This is a day of remembrance. Please keep all those mentioned above and everyone who has lost their lives fighting on OUR behalf in the middle east, in your thoughts and prayers on this day.

Ruger PC4 carbine rifle review

Basics
The Ruger PC4 is a semi automatic pistol caliber carbine – a rifle that fires a pistol cartridge. The PC4 is chambered for .40 S&W, and there is also a 9mm version available (the PC9). The PC4 (and the PC9) use Ruger pistol magazines, which is especially nice for those who already have Ruger pistols. Both the PC4 (sometimes called the PC40) and PC9 weigh in at about 6.5 pound, with barrels that are just over 16″ in length. The PC4 and PC9 are blowback operated, which is somewhat rare for such carbines. Sighting options include standard iron sights, or ghost ring sights. The standard proprietary Ruger scope mounts are also built in to the receiver. Production of the PC4 and PC9 was stopped a few years ago, after Ruger decided there wasn’t enough demand to justify continued production. However they can still be found at gun stores and online. I found mine at a local gun store for under $600.

Safety Features
The PC4 and PC9 have automatic drop and firing pin safeties, along with a manual safety in the rear of the trigger guard. One interesting feature related to how these carbines are blowback operated. One of the downsides to blowback operation is that the action is not usually locked closed, but is instead only held closed by spring pressure. If the firearm is dropped or jarred, it is possible for the action to partially open, preventing proper operation of the firearm until the user notices those problem and closes it back up. Ruger fixes this by having the action lock closed, and then unlock as either the trigger is pulled, or as the action is manually operated. This feature is very well done, and I didn’t even notice it at first until I read more about the PC4 online after I bought it.

Ergonomics
The PC4 feels great to hold, and is pretty well balanced. Balance can be a problem with blowback operated firearms, due to the need to have the action be heavy enough to stay closed as the bullet travels down the barrel, leading to too much weight in one place. Ruger avoided this problem as well, by using weights on the end of a light weight bar to better distribute the weight. The result is a well balanced carbine that is comfortable to hold and shoot. The one thing that I don’t like is the recoil pad. It is made of a rather rigid rubbery material, with ridges in it. I would have preferred a recoil pad that was either a bit softer, or that didn’t have those ridges. I don’t care enough to change the recoil pad, but I thought I would still mention this.

Firing the PC4
This is a fun carbine to shoot, and accuracy was great. I was firing offhand on a 50′ indoor range, and managed to shoot 1″ groups pretty easily. I look forward to going to an outdoor range to see how the PC4 does at longer distances. I will say that recoil was a bit heavier that I expected, given that I was only firing .40 S&W pistol cartridges, although the recoil was by no means unpleasant. I’m guessing the recoil felt heavier than I expected because this carbine is blowback operated, meaning that the action does very little to soften the felt recoil. That said, I do want to be clear that this recoil was quite light compared to any shotgun or centerfire rifle I’ve ever fired, and should not pose a problem for even the most recoil sensitive people.

Conclusion
The PC4 is a nice carbine, especially for those of us who already have pistols chambered for .40 S&W (or the PC9 for those who have pistols chambered for 9mm). Accuracy is good, recoil is light, and a variety of hard-to-notice features relating to safety and the blowback action are nice touches as well. The blowback operation is simple and reliable. Since this carbine is no longer in production, finding one may be slightly difficult, but is worth the effort.

Rossi Puma Lever-Action Carbine Review

A Traditional Cowboy Rifle in .45 Colt

Long, long ago, in those frivolous carefree days when Americans had the money to pursue their dreams and hobbies with reckless abandon, the sport of cowboy action shooting burst upon the American firearms scene.

The sport required participants to dress in period costume and participate in shooting events using original or reproduction firearms of the nineteenth and early twentieth century. Typically, cowboy action shooters needed two single-action pistols, a rifle, and a shotgun.

This desire for multiple guns spawned demand for reproduction firearms like the Rossi M92 Puma carbine. Since many original nineteenth century firearms were no longer up to the rigors of regular shooting, shooters felt safer shooting a reproduction firearm that incorporated modern materials and safety features. In addition, to simplify logistics, cowboy action shooters often sought firearms that all shot the same caliber of ammunition. The Rossi Puma Lever-Action Carbine can be bought in several different calibers. For example, I chose .45 Colt so that I could use the same ammunition for my rifle and my Ruger Vaquero.

The Puma carbine is a convenient size for defending the old homestead or for trail drives down to the typical suburban shooting range. My Rossi M92 Puma has a 20-inch barrel and an overall length of 37 and 1/2 inches. Like the classic 1892 Winchester Rifle that it emulates, the Rossi Puma just handles well and seems like a natural fit for almost any shooter. Like many Brazilian-made firearms, the guns remain timeless while the importers change. You may find this classic cowboy carbine sold today as the Legacy M92 Puma. According to the Guns and Ammo 2009 Buyers guide, the Legacy M92 Carbine comes in .357 Magnum/.38 Special, .44 Magnum, .45 Colt, .454 Casull, and .480 Ruger and in barrel lengths from 16 to 24 inches.

300 Savage Riffle Review

The .300 Savage for a long time has been a rifle that is often overshadowed by better-known brands and calibers. However, for reliability, durability, and capability, it is a weapon that is hard to beat for deer and other big game hunting.

The rifle is built as a lever action, and the lever is well contoured to the grip, making it comfortable to hold or cock. The lever itself is easy to use, and the ejection of casings and reloading of the chamber is smooth, easy, and quick.
Shells are loaded through a side-mounted cylinder, and a simple small brass counter allows the hunter to easily see how many rounds remain in the cylinder with a simple turn of the wrist.

The stock is available in a couple different woods, but all are very well made, and even refinishing isn’t a very big chore. There is one downside of the stock, however, in that unless specifically ordered otherwise, it tends to be a little shorter than those of many other rifles. Being 6’3″, this makes the stock a little short for me. However just getting an additional recoil pad easily compensated for this small shortcoming.

The rifling is clean, tight, and well engineered to give the bullet the maximum spin as it leaves the barrel, which increases the accuracy.
The rifle is easier to clean and maintain than many other rifles, especially since the breach can be opened so wide.

Often considered a brush gun because of its light weight, this under rated rifle has capabilities that are as good as or surpass weapons that are more commonly considered as long-range rifles. The trajectory of the bullets isn’t as flat, or the speed of the bullet as great as in the .30-06, however I’ve witnessed open range shots of well over 300 yards that have resulted in a clean takedown of a moving target. Yet it is indeed light and easy to carry in brush, if that is where you are hunting.

This rifle can easily be set with a scope, though it functions perfectly well with open sights.

Bullet grain sizes vary widely, however 150 gr. is pretty standard for most big game, giving adequate hitting and knockdown power while also giving the range to make more distant shots.

The .300 Savage should get the praise it deserves. It is a good rifle for short distance, brush, and long rang shooting, it functions well and easily, it is easy to clean, and it is lightweight. Best of all, it is accurate. If you are considering a hunting rifle, this should definitely be on the potential list of choices.

Tikka T3 Review

Tikka T3

This admittedly my first hunting riffle purchase. I bought the Tikka T3 in .308 calibers. I chose the .308 caliber for a few reasons. One of them is the range a .308 round will go, the other reason being, the plain stopping power of the .308 round. I chose the blue non glint finish barrel as well. There are a few good things about this riffle. It comes with sling mountings preinstalled, and with a free sling. The T3 308 has an 11’ rate of twist. It weighs a bit over 6 pounds. The Tikka T3 also comes slandered with a 3 round external electable magazine. Yes this bolt action riffle has a 3 round electable magazine. For a total combined carrying load of 4 rounds. My version of the riffle also has a 20” barrel length. Nice wood finish stock. This firearm has great accuracy. That is about where the good things end.

The bad, oh boy, the bad. Now I have shot other riffles in .22 up to .308 so when I say this I’m not being a wimp or over reacting. My Tikka T3 kicks like a Missouri mule. If you think you’re going to go out and shoot 10+ rounds in a row (out the box) you’re crazy. If you don’t break your shoulder, or at the very least be very, very, very, sore the next day, it would be a miracle. The 3 round magazine, well you are stuck with that. I have been searching for about a year to find a 4 or 5 round magazines, with no luck. It seems that Beretta one had a 5 round magazine, maybe, but no more. At least no more here in the United States.

So after struggling with the kick while trying to zero it in I decided to get the Limbsaver slip-on recoil pad. That reduced the recoil by almost half. Luckily they had one that my riffle like a glove (Like the Limbsaver brand is supposed to do). Like with any riffle getting the correct scope is very important. The scope I purchased well that will be for a different review. However the zero in process with the T3 seemed very easy as well. If you are entrusted in buying a Tikka T3 do me a small favor, read more then just this review, read as many as you kind find. If at all possible go out and shoot one as well.