Shortshots

MasterPiece Arms's new MPAR 556 Sporting Rifle, $999, is chambered in 5.56x45 (.223 Rem.) and accepts AR-15/M16 magazines. It is differentiated from many other AR-style rifles by its heavy stamped-steel receiver.

Gun Tests readers dig into head-to-head rifle tests to see if a big-ticket item is something they may want to buy. But there are always some less-expensive products that we use during firearms testing which deserve mention when they deliver a lot utility for the buck. Here are three accessories used in the July 2013 CZ 527 Special Report and the September 2013 17 HMR story we thought were worth the money.

olt Defense LLC, one of the world's leading manufacturers of rifles and carbines for the military, law-enforcement and sporting markets, has acquired New Colt Holding Corp., the parent company of Colt's Manufacturing Company LLC. Colt's manufactures firearms for the civilian and sporting markets. For the first time since their separation in 2003, a single company will now develop, manufacture and sell firearms under the Colt name for all markets.

After nearly a decade since its initial introduction into the firearms marketplace, production on Arsenal's SLR-106 series has officially ended. The SLR-106 rifle and pistol series was Arsenal's answer to the 5.56 caliber as the company looked to compete in that arena. The major selling point of the line was its chrome-lined and hammer-forged barrel. The current stock of SLR-106 5.56 caliber rifles and pistols will continue to be sold until supply runs out. Arsenal's availability list is displayed in the nearby photo. Additional SLR-106 products can be found by checking with Arsenal's distributors and various dealers.

HiViz Shooting Systems has announced that it will move to Wyoming as the company fulfills its promise to leave Colorado due to recent changes in Colorado state gun-control legislation. Also, magazine maker Magpul has begun making its products outside Colorado in an as-yet-to-be-named state, and some companies associated with Magpul have also said they plan to leave the state immediately. HiViz Shooting Systems manufactures light-gathering sights, recoil pads and accessories for the shooting industry. HiViz President and CEO Phillip Howe said that the company will move to Laramie, Wyoming.

The recently concluded National Rifle Association 142nd Annual Meetings & Exhibits, held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston May 3-5, set attendance records that are likely to stand awhile. More than 86,000 Second Amendment supporters attended the NRA's annual meeting in Houston last month, shattering the previous attendance record by almost 15,000, said NRA spokesman Andrew Arulanandam.

Caracal International LLC has been informed about an incident in which the slide of a Caracal Model C pistol malfunctioned and broke during firing, causing personal injury. The company is thoroughly investigating this incident to determine the causes and is initiating a voluntary recall to protect customers.

At the 2013 SHOT Show, held in Las Vegas last January, Gun Tests staffers ran across tons of new products that we’re working to include in future tests. We mention many new items below, so if any of them trip your trigger, let us know and we’ll see about adding them to the test list.

At the 2012 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Gun Tests staffers ran across dozens of new products that we're working to include in future tests. There were too many to mention here, but we've selected a handful that really tripped our trigger, and might trip yours, too. You can visit our sister site www.GunReports.com to see videos of some of these guns at the range and in the company display booths. Some of the most intriguing developments overall came at old-line manufacturer O.F. Mossberg's booth. Mossberg's Vice President of Sales and Marketing Tom Taylor showed us the new Flex shotgun concept and a new gussied-up levergun, the 464 SPX.

In the August 2009 issue, we did our first test of the popular Taurus Judge 45 LC/410 revolver, using No. 4 shot in the shells we tested with. We immediately got reader mail asking if different shot sizes would change the gun’s patterning characteristics, which we didn’t like all that much. We didn’t think that the patterns would be substantially different, but we like to test and be sure. What we found. Using No. 6 and No. 71⁄2 shot, the pattern density was best with the smallest shot, which had very little of the noted doughnut shape observed with No. 4s. Patterns with No. 71⁄2 were slightly tighter than with No. 6s. Specifically, at 15 feet they were 28 and 32 inches respectively. We still feel that’s too far for the use of such loads against human adversaries in a crowded room. However, if you’re shooting snakes, we suggest No. 71⁄2 shells are indeed the way to go, and you might even be better served with No. 9s.

In the August 2009 issue, we did our first test of the popular Taurus Judge 45 LC/410 revolver, using No. 4 shot in the shells we tested with. We immediately got reader mail asking if different shot sizes would change the gun’s patterning characteristics, which we didn’t like all that much. We didn’t think that the patterns would be substantially different, but we like to test and be sure. What we found. Using No. 6 and No. 71⁄2 shot, the pattern density was best with the smallest shot, which had very little of the noted doughnut shape observed with No. 4s. Patterns with No. 71⁄2 were slightly tighter than with No. 6s. Specifically, at 15 feet they were 28 and 32 inches respectively. We still feel that’s too far for the use of such loads against human adversaries in a crowded room. However, if you’re shooting snakes, we suggest No. 71⁄2 shells are indeed the way to go, and you might even be better served with No. 9s.

Most serious shooters know that the Shooting and Outdoor Sports Trade Show, SHOT by any other name, is the annual showcase for new guns, ammunition, accessories and more. But for a select few gun writers, editors, TV producers and hosts, the day before the SHOT Show is a chance to shoot the latest and greatest from gun makers from around the world. In fact, a typical media event offers an opportunity to shoot up to 50 different firearms, although a typical participant can’t tally more than a couple dozen. The key is the variety of firearms that manufacturers have on parade—everything from sweet-shooting 20-gauge O/Us, to belt-fed .50 caliber machine guns that reverberate throughout the stark but beautiful Nevada hills that ring Las Vegas.