Recreational

Gun Tests Magazine has named the Ruger Lightweight Compact Revolver LCR-BGXS as the publication’s “Best in Class Revolver” for 2011. The pistol joins a Kel-Tec PMR-30, an AR-style 300 Whisper from SSK Industries, a 12-gauge autoloading shotgun from Legacy Sports International, and a laser/light combo accessory from Crimson Trace as the magazine’s “Best in Class” 2011 honorees.

At SHOT Show 2012, Gun Tests Contributing Editor Roger Eckstine covers the features of the Massachusetts-legal Kahr PM9 pistol.

Gun Tests’ Contributing Editor Roger Eckstine found Springfield’s brand-new XDS .45 at the Media Range Day at the SHOT Show a couple of weeks ago. The micro-sized XDS was secret, and no one knew that the gun, smaller than a Glock 36, existed until media members showed up and saw the 4-inch-tall .45.

Beretta USA introduced the BU-9 Nano as its entry into the pocket 9mm pistol category last September. Initial shipments of the American-made pistol left the Accokeek, Maryland factory beginning in November 2011, with a suggested retail price of $475. In this video, Gun Tests’ Contributing Editor Roger Eckstine gets a detailed explanation of how easy the Nano is to break down for maintenance. The Nano's modularity provides for simple disassembly and easy cleaning. Safely disassemble the pistol by first engaging the striker deactivator, a patent pending safety mechanism that eliminates the need to pull the trigger prior to disassembly.

In June 2010, Kahr Arms purchased Minnesota-based firearms manufacturer, Magnum Research, Inc., maker of the Desert Eagle Pistol and BFR Revolvers in .44 Magnum, .45 LC/.410 or .45/70. Kahr Arms offers a selection of other niche-type firearms, such as the “Tommy Gun” and Auto-Ordnance line of M1 .30 caliber carbines. In this video, Gun Tests Contributing Editor Roger Eckstine shows off two of the company’s big-hole BFR wheelguns.

(GunReports.com) -- Elk Camp, a hunting and conservation rally designed to support conservation in Nevada, is coming to Las Vegas. Sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) and International Sportsmen's Expositions, the event is scheduled for Feb. 2-4, 2012, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

NRA's Competitive Shooting Division is unveiling a new recreational shooting event geared towards local shooting clubs, ranges, and civic organizations. The NRA Club Champion Challenge encourages recreational and experienced shooters to try a variety of disciplines and courses of fire and promotes participation amongst club or range members as they compete for awards.

(GunReports.com) -– Mossberg has introduced three new guns in response to the latest craze in the realm of shooting competitions -- zombie-themed fun shoots.

Gun Tests Magazine Publisher Timothy H. Cole recognized Kel-Tec’s PMR-30 22 WMR as the publication’s “Best in Class Pistol” for 2011 at the just-concluded SHOT Show in Las Vegas. Cole made a special award to Derek Kellgren, Kel-Tec CNC Industries’ Director of Marketing at the show.

Of all the clay-shooting sports, the game of trap is perhaps the least understood. But the concept is simple. Target presentation is based on the taking of a bird as if it were flushed from the ground. The name trap was taken from the original mechanism, which was as simple as releasing a live bird from a box or trap placed on the ground. The practice of using live birds then gave way to tossing glass balls as targets. (We pity the persons who were charged with cleaning up the broken glass.) According to the Krause publication, “The Gun Digest Book of Trap and Skeet Shooting,” by Christian and Sapp, the glass targets were replaced with clay 'birds' some time in the 1880s. Today, the clay birds are thrown by machine. A voice-operated release system that responds to the shooter’s verbal command is the latest innovation.

(GunReports.com) -- Benelli has eight new variation of its popular shotguns at SHOT Show 2012 in Las Vegas this week.

Franchi showcased four new shotguns at SHOT Show 2012 in Las Vegas this week: