Viewpoints

Readers who wrote me about Gun Tests’s decision to continue testing Smith & Wesson products in light of the company’s deal with the Clinton administration has elicited a steady stream of comments pro and con. To recap, we believe our subscribers are adult enough to read our articles and make their own decisions about buying or boycotting Smith products. It’s not the magazine’s place to black-out information on a company simply because we don’t like a business decision its executives have made.

However, not everyone agreed. An email from Alan Bint of Pensacola, Florida, said, “I will not renew. I just received my May issue. I was and am very disappointed in your reaction to the Smith & Wes...

Test of CZ PCR
I found the recent article on the CZ PCR 9MM pistol (May 2000) interesting and informative, though I would like to respond to some of the points made in the article.

It was stated that the trigger on the PCR was rough before it broke. As with most DA/SA pistols, the mechanism required to operate the ignition system is somewhat complex when compared to a single-action only or double-action only. When related to other models of a similar design, the CZ trigger is an excellent balance of single and double action.

As to the malfunctions: The PCR is one of the newest variants of the Classic CZ 75 pistol. It was designed with the law-enforcement market in mind. W...

There’s bears up here
I’ve enjoyed your approach of not worrying whether or not the manufacturers are happy with your reviews, but do you think it’s possible that sometimes you feel the obligation to say bad things about pieces which really have no problem?

The review that I found to be most misinformed was the one regarding the .454 Casull as an unusable piece. Having several friends who own them, and also having owned them myself, I can assure you that anyone is capable of firing one without his thumb coming off, his wrist getting broken, or any other range of colorful imaginations. It’s a powerful revolver to be sure, and a .44 Magnum feels soft once you’re used to the Ca...

Gary Anderson, a gold-medal smallbore shooter, former Atlanta Olympic shooting venue manager, and now director of the Civilian Marksmanship Program in Port Clinton, Ohio, wrote recently to say, I noted a comment in your July Gun Tests editorial about the shut-down of the U. S. Army Reserves Pistol and Rifle Teams. When the USAR Pistol Team left the National Matches, they thought they were turning in their equipment for the last time. By the time the Service Rifle Team was ready to leave, the decision had been reversed and USAR Teams were back in business.

Anderson said the proposed shutdown of the teams was done strictly as a cost-cutting move and was not driven by any higher political...

Though some shooters might not agree, there is other news happening on the gun front besides the latest goings-on at S&W. Here’s a sampling of informational nuggets for your careful consideration:

Army Reserve Programs Standing Down? An email from Helmut J. Hein Lynn Belcher, assistant branch chief, Individual Training Branch, U.S. Army Reserve Command, started in classic military form: “It is my sad duty to inform you that the USAR is the first military organization to cancel competitive marksmanship activities. Hopefully, the USAR will be the only one to do so.”

To those of us who have been in awe of Reserve shooters at the Camp Perry national matches or in international comp...

Confidence in Ruger P97
Thank you for testing the Ruger P97. I think I will buy one soon. My current .45 (Glock 21) has superb accuracy-acually its the most accurate non-1911 .45 I have ever shot. People I know who bought the Ruger P97 say it is just as accurate as the Glock. Your test showed that the ergonomics were great, reliability is topnotch, and the trigger was good (for a Ruger). I assume your accuracy wasnt great because you didnt use ammo the Ruger 97 likes. Again, I really am glad you reviewed it. I now feel confident enough to make the purchase.

Mark Fertig
via AOL

August Pros and Cons
A Glock representative brought a G36 demonstrat...

I get lots of mail from readers with interesting stories to tell, and occasionally, one is so compelling that I want to share it with the rest of the Gun Tests family. The following is from Charles Lakaytis, chief engineer for KBRW AM/FM in Barrow, Alaska, the northernmost broadcast station in North America. Its located at 72 degrees north and 155 degrees west. Chuck shares his insights on guns he thinks are right for living at the top of the world:

First of all I want to congratulate you on a wonderful magazine. I have nearly given up on the other gun magazines. All the other writers seem to be testing products when guests of the manufacturer at some fancy game ranch or...

One of the most important firearms-ownership court cases in 60 years is currently before a panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans. The panel will decide whether to uphold a lower court ruling that said gun ownership is an individual, and not a collective, right under the Second Amendment.This may come as a surprise to Gun Tests readers who thought they were buying guns for their personal use all along, but many gun confiscators have advanced the argument that our ability to own guns is modified and controlled by this part of the Second Amendment: A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state….

This is a crucial distinction in terms of...

Autauga Arms Status
I recently opened Autauga Rifles. I am still in contact with the Autauga Arms folks as they wind down. They are getting out of the pistol business and have basically eliminated the remaining inventory. I have and will continue to provide the same quality rifles as the Autauga Tactical Rifle you reviewed in November 1999.

Rusty Rossey
Prattville, AL

Were sorry to see the Autauga pistols disappear, and dearly wish we had held on to the one we tested in November 1999. Its value in a decade will be astronomical. For readers who want to contact Rossey, you can reach him at Autauga Rifles, Inc., 740 E. Main, Suite 13, Prattville, AL 36067, t...