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Maksim

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Blog Entries posted by Maksim

  1. Maksim
    In our previous blog post we discussed the need to have a good flashlight.  One example of it was the Fenix PD35 TAC.
    Another item that is staple in my shooting bag is a good pair of binoculars.
    While I am certainly not an optics snob who needs a $3,000 pair of binoculars with a built in range finder,  I do need something good enough to use at the range to either locate targets, spot hits for other shooters or to record shooting footage for my YouTube videos.
    One pair I recently picked up was the Adasion 12x42 Binoculars on Amazon.
    What attracted me to the pair specifically was that they were fairly light weight at 1.25 lbs and used a BAK4 prism and came with a smart phone adapter.
    The BAK4 prism is a Chinese variety and slightly trails the German standard, it is far superior to the lower end BAK7 prisms, having a better refractive rate.
    The smart phone adapter was well worth the money as I could mount my phone and have it record the target cam footage.  You can see it in use in my latest Ruger video on the 300 PRC. 
    The Adasion 12x42 Binoculars are priced around $80 and is available in the United States from Amazon.com and I will have a detailed video on them in the near future.
     
     
  2. Maksim
    The holidays are here and "Yay" it is once again to go buy gifts.
    As a gun guy, while I certainly appreciate my friends and family trying to find something firearms related, it is most often easier to just say, "Just get me a gift card to..."  Does anyone really want to be gifted a Hi-Point?  
    In that spirit, I am going to share some of my ideas for what I think are pretty cool gifts for the gun guy or girl in our lives, that are not actually guns.
    The first one is the Fenix PD35 TAC flashlight.
    A flash light is always a good thing to have and a necessity while living in the boonies or on the job.  While I have had my Streamlight for a while, I was amazed that you can get a 1,000 lumen light in such a small package.
    The Fenix PD35 TAC is a variant of the well known and respected PD35, however it includes a new "Tactical" mode in addition to the "outdoor" mode.
    In the outdoor mode, the light has 5 different brightness settings including a beam distance of up to 650 feet, easily covering an acre and a half.  In the tactical mode, the light offers a very bright strobe which would easily make it a formidable option for a self defense package. 
    The flash light is powered by a single 18650 or two CR123A batteries and comes with included o-rings and a holster.
    The Fenix PD35 TAC is IPX-8 waterproof, being able to survive being underwater up to 6 1/2 feet deep for up to 30 minutes.
    The Fenix PD35 TAC is priced around $70 and is available in the United States from Fenix-Store.com

    Specifications
    Uses Cree XP-L(V5) LED with a lifespan of 50,000 hours
    New Cree XP-L LED provides up to 251% performance boost from XP-G2 LED
    Modes of OperationTACTICAL FLASHLIGHT MODE
    Turbo: 1000 Lumens (1 hr. 10 min.)
    Low: 60 Lumens (29 hr. 15 min.)
    Strobe: 1000 Lumens
    EDC FLASHLIGHT MODE
    Turbo: 1000 Lumens (1 hr. 10 min.)
    High: 500 Lumens (2 hr. 55 min.)
    Mid: 200 Lumens (8 hr. 30 min.)
    Low: 60 Lumens (29 hr. 15 min.)
    Eco: 8 Lumens (140 hr.)
    Strobe: 1000 Lumens
  3. Maksim
    A number of community members know that last month, I attended a private media event sponsored by Ruger which was co-sponsored with Leupold and Hornady.   
    During this event, Ruger showed off and let us play with the new products which were set to be announced around the 2019 NRA show which just wrapped up.  
    While the central products of focus were the three Ruger long range rifles, the Ruger Precision Rifles in 6.5 PRC and 300 PRC, and the Ruger Hawkeye Long Range Target, the company did showcase 3 of their new pistols, including the Ruger Wrangler.
    The Ruger Wrangler is a 6 shot, single action revolver, chambered for the 22 long rifle cartridge.  The gun is precisely what you would expect to see at a local Single Action Society match or in a western movie.  It was created to compete with the Heritage Arms Rough Rider revolver at the very low price point of under $200.
    Based on that information alone, can you blame a North East run and gun guy of overlooking the gun?
    While I had no doubts it would be commercially successful, I passed up the opportunity to take one home with me for further testing.  After all, the Ruger PC Carbine with the Free Float Rail and the two new rocket launchers capable for shooting 2,000 yards plus were certainly more exciting?  Right?
    In the real world however, the one filled with many new gun buyers, people with a budget and a geography where the vast majority of the time spent shooting is at indoor ranges at under 15 yards, the Ruger Wrangler is really an easy purchase to justify.  It is then further reaffirmed by the simple fact that Heritage Arms sells hundreds of thousands of pistols!  
    With it's $249 MSRP and a real world street price of around $200, the Wrangler offers an unparalleled value for a pistol. Combined with Ruger's casting experience and a cold hammer forged barrel, the gun buyer is sure to have a gun that is both durable and reliable for many years to come.  With Ruger's lifetime warranty, the gun can easily be a generational product!
    For New Jersey gun owners, the Ruger Wrangler has another position.  It is a pistol that you should buy if you have pistol permits that are due to expire and you do not want to let them go to waste!  This brilliant idea was brought up by our very own Steve at Monmouth Arms, aka @remixer.
    So are you planning on buying a Ruger Wrangler?  In which color?
     
  4. Maksim
    New Jersey's gun owners have largely heard most of the excuses when it comes to applying for pistol permits, from the classic "The Chief has not been able to sign them yet, he is (on vacation, too busy,  lunar calendar has not aligned)" to the "we only process pistol permits once a week from X to Y o'clock, by appointment only."
    Now legal, law abiding citizens have a new one they can add to the list... "we ran out of pistol permits."
    What was surely supposed to be yet another joke of a topic or a new gun owner being pushed around by an anti-gun municipality is unfortunately, seemingly true.
    Earlier today an NJGF member posted that when speaking with a friend, they were told by Clark township, a municipality known for fairly speedy processing times, that the background check was complete however the township was "out of actual permits and were waiting on a delivery."
    Another member quickly responded with a similar story posted in a different NJ gun group about the city of Hoboken.
    This... is not a joke.
    This begs the question, how was this incompetence allowed to happen?  Or perhaps this is a more sinister ploy and a measure of gun control?
    No Permits, No Hand Guns
    Unfortunately, as everyone knows, the only thing that results from this is the rights of law abiding citizens are being trampled and is unacceptable and a reminder of the Soviet Union days of waiting in line to purchase bread with your coupon.
    While it is no secret that many gun owners are applying for multiple permits in order to get ahead of the draconian price increase that Governor Murphy is trying to push through, there is simply no excuse today.
    A question for the community,  has the state ever "run out" of pistol permits in the past?
    What other townships and municipalities are "running out" of permits?
    If you have not done so already, take a look at the topic here.
     
  5. Maksim
    Since learning to shoot about 15 years ago, and more particularly in the last 10 years since starting New Jersey Gun Forums, I have been blessed with the ability to shoot a wide variety of firearms and accessories, everything from entry level handguns to rifles and shotguns which can purchase a decent house somewhere in the Mid-West.
    One constant in the gun world is that much like in every other hobby, there is, within a certain segment an equipment race, to have the latest and greatest gear that you would find going into war zones.  While I am generally not opposed to spending more money to get a well crafted and reliable gun like a Knights Armament AR, optics in particular is an area where I feel 95% of gun owners would be spending money on features they will never use.
    Trijicon ACOGs, NightForce, Elcan SpecterDR, Aimpoint, you get the idea.
    Yes, they are brilliant optics with great quality glass and ruggedness to withstand a war zone.  The question is, for the non-military buyer, do you need to pay for the ruggedness when 90% of the time the gun will be in the safe and 9% of the time the gun will be at the range?  Do you need to spend thousands of dollars for the slight chance that you will drop the gun in the middle of the lake in the 1% of the time you are out boating with it? (boat, gun, lake joke).
    What got me thinking about this question is doing some testing with the Sightmark Wolfhound 6x Prismatic sight.  I subjected the scope to the advertised specs and it passed with flying colors.  I drenched the optics with a bottle of water and even dropped the rifle (on purpose) to see whether it holds zero or still works.  
    I then escalated the test and dunked the optic in a contain of water and left it there, running, for over an hour.  This would surely kill it, right?
    And the optic continued to function.
    Sightmark compares this to the ACOG 6x optic and at no time do they ever state that it is a better optic.  They do however point out that you are getting comparable features for a whole lot less.
    Yes, the ACOG does not use any batteries and instead lights the reticle either via the fiber optic strip or tritium.  The Wolfhound uses a battery.  In either case, if the battery dies, you still have the reticle, it just won't light up red or green.
    The ACOG is also made out of 7075 aluminum versus the 6061 aluminum used in the Wolfhound.   The ACOG is also submersible to 328 ft of water versus just 10 ft on the Wolfhound.
    The question is then the following, rather than spend thousands more on buying ruggedness that you will never likely use, is the gun owner better off buying a "good enough" optic and investing the difference in ammo and training instead?
    Here is the video review of the Sightmark Wolfhound 6x44 Prismatic and  Mini Shot M-Spec Reflex Sights
     
  6. Maksim
    Remember when you acquired your first firearm?
    For most gun owners, that time was both exciting and scary!  On one hand, you acquired your first handgun and had hopefully gone to the range.  At the same time, let's admit it, unless you were in the military,  you were at least a LITTLE bit afraid, either of scratching up that shiny new bluing, not being able to put it back together after cleaning, or even leaving it unattended.  After a while however,  you become accustomed to it and it becomes "yet another gun."
    Much in the same way,  I look at "going to the range."
    It is the near universal experience of gun ownership.  You purchase your gun and then you end up going to the range to shoot at least once or twice a week for the next 3 to 6 months.  Every trip is exciting as you become more and more proficient with the gun and discover your passions for different firearms.  At some point however you average day in the range goes from 4 or 5 boxes of ammo to a mere social event and 1 or 2 boxes of ammo becomes the norm.  Simply put, going to a typical range and standing in a port and shooting at a bullseye or a zombie target was no longer fun or appealing.  If you are at the range, it is typically to function check your gun, chrono your loads or just to make sure the gun works and remains rust free after that unfortunate boating accident.
    This is why I believe in and encourage community members of all experience levels and interests to go out and try some form of matches, whether it is steel matches or one of the practical shooting sports such as IDPA or USPSA.   Not only is it fun, but it is also a great way to take your shooting skills to the next level.
    But what if you can't do that?  
    I recently came across some targets made by REFactor Tactical.  The company is a veteran lead business catering to military and civilians, offering products and solutions for on and off the battlefield.
    One of their solutions is their line of shooting targets which I have come to call "Targets With a Purpose."
    There are 4 that I have come to really appreciate.
    The first target is your standard USPSA/IPSC Practice Target.  Generally I am a fan of using the thick cardboard targets for nice clean holes and the ability to paste them. This lets you use use the targets for quite a long time.  Unfortunately there are a few downsides.  First, a pack of 25 or so has some weight and they take up quite a bit of space to store.  Secondly, it is not so easy to use the cardboard targets at many indoor ranges.  The challenge is, with a cardboard target, you are attaching the head next to the carrier, so unless you want to risk destroying range equipment, a good portion of the target is unusable.
    The REFactor Tactical target is printed on paper with wide margins. As such, you can easily use them at an indoor range or outside with wider target stands. 
    When it comes to rifles, my favorite target is the Hitman Target.   The target comes complete with a grid overlay which is extremely helpful for sighting in a rifle with a new optic. 
    Once dialed in, the left side of the target has bullseye target grids ranging from 1" to 3" boxes. They are great to use for 1 MOA groups out to 300 yards.   
    The right side of the target features similar triangles and a bullseye target on the bottom. 
    Even though it is meant for rifles, this target is also great for handgun training at close ranges.
    The other two targets are meant for "gun work," or targets designed to work on the fundamentals of shooting.
    The IQ Target is a full sized target made up of a combination of shapes, colors, numbers and letters.  This allows the shooters or instructors to create a variety of shooting problems to solve.  IT could be simple as "on command,  draw and fire 2 rounds at the Square 2" or "on command, turn, then draw and fire 2 rounds at all of the green circles, reload and fire 2 rounds at all of the blue triangles."
    To make the IQ target even more effective, REFactor Tactical offers playing cards/shooting decks which contain various exercises ranging from static shooting to more difficult turn, draw, move and reload ones.  
    At a recent range day, I really enjoyed practicing with these targets and the cards.  What is quite eye opening for me was finding out that despite not having difficulties with accuracy, I had real issues shooting triangle shapes, typically shooting just below them.
    Perhaps to make it even more challenging, I practiced with a completely different handgun than I am used to shooting, a Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm versus my go to 1911s and CZ 75 SP01 Shadow Custom.  To make it even more interesting, I alternated the magazine between my regular match loads and Speer Gold Dots +P ammo.  (Or perhaps I just happened to leave my gun game guns at home and the M&P was the only handgun in the range bag with some ammo.)
    Finally, the other target that I believe would be of great interest and benefit to gun owners is the Essentials Shooting Target,  
    It is a full sized target of various sized squares and circles, along with a bulls eye.  It was designed around a 150 round drill which covers multiple aspects of pistol marksmanship including slow aimed fire, strong and weak hand shooting, target transitions, speed changes, drawing and reloading.  You can find the drills in their book, the "Essentials Shooting Guide"  or simply create your own drills.
    Bottom line, these were some of the best targets I have shot in the last 15 years.  Factoring in that you are supporting a veteran owned company who produces the targets in the United States at very reasonable prices,  there are no reasons why a few of these are not in your range bag for your next  trip.
     
  7. Maksim
    Gun Retailers
    Brownell's - Brownell's is continuing their 3 coupon codes, offering discounts + free shipping.

     
    Faxon Firearms - Up to 50% off select parts for Black Friday/Cyber Monday, 15% off M&P Slides/barrels.
    Natchez Shooters Supplies - is offering 4 promo codes for Cyber Monday.  10% off $49.99+, $15 off $150, $25 off $250, and $35 off $350.  Promo code "DO181122. "Alternatively, there is Free Shipping on Orders over $150 or Free Hazmat for reloading components. (FH181122)  
    Palmetto State Armory - Perhaps the best deals to be had this season!  Whether it is ammo deals we previously discussed or $170 AR-15 uppers, this is the place to shop. Looking for an AR for under $350?  Buy this kit and use your lower or add one! (and pin the stock, change out flash suppressor).   A LOT on sale.
    Rainier Arms - If you are looking for something a bit higher end or more unique, Rainier Arms' Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale may be worth a look. 
    Sportsman's Guide - Is offering up to 50% or more on many items.  The caveat is, the best deals are only for members.  If you are not yet a member or a customer, you can use a $20 gift card with $100 order, or $50 off $200. There is also the "Big Bang" event with savings on new firearms, ammo and optics. 
     
    AR Parts
    Aero Precision - Cyber Monday Doorbusters & 15% off everything else! One such deal is the M4E1 lower with lower parts kit, $99 versus $174 regular price.


    Ballistic Advantage - Offering up to 35% off various parts such as their Sub-MOA guaranteed barrels.  Free onyx patch with every order. Plenty of blem and closeout parts for extra savings!

     
    Other Stuff
    Amazon - While we buy a ton of stuff on Amazon, we generally don't think of Amazon for gun related purchases.  I was thus pleasantly surprised to find some really good deals on reloading accessories like the Hornady brass tumbler, just $27.99, 63% off of the retail list price of $74.81!  Best of all, it comes with 100 Free Bullets, by mail, from Hornady.  We discussed this deal yesterday here.  Other big savings deals are items like the Caldwell Lead Sled, Lead Sled 3, and GunVault Biometric Speedvault. 
    AR500 Armor
    FREE Shipping on orders over $99 excluding targets Tiered Discounts 10% Off @ >$100 20% Off @ >$200 30% Off @ >$300 30% Off with Coupon Code: CYBERMONDAY Can be combined with Free Shipping Up to 40% Off + Free Shipping Plate Carrier Packages Armor Packages 50% Off all Targets 7 New Products 4 New Carriers 2 New Plates Tactical Stockings Link To Sale
     
    BerettaUSA - Cyber Monday Savings at BerettaUSA.com! Spend $250 Or More And Get 30% Off Your Entire Purchase Using Promo Code: BF18! Offer Valid 11/26 Only.  One triple dip promo was on magazines, which we discussed yesterday. 
     
    CrossBreed Holsters - Is having their biggest sale of the year with 20% off everything or 30% off and free shipping on orders over $150!
     
    LifeProof - LifeProof is offering 50% off Bluetooth Speakers, 50% off all clearance and 25% off all other cases and accessories.  Add in free shipping!
    Bottle Breacher - Remember that cool bottle opener you saw on Shark Tank?  There are Cyber Monday deals! Can make a good gift or stocking stuffer for non-gun people.
     
     

  8. Maksim
    As I am getting a bunch of these emails I wanted to put a central place for gun related deals out there.
    If you are looking for a quality holster, now is a good time to shop at Crossbreed.
    Starting today through Saturday the 24th.
    Starting today, all Founder's Series holsters are 25% off.  
    On Wednesday the 21st, Designer Series holsters will be added to the 25% off. Finally, on Friday, Ankle holsters will be added with 40% off!

    Visit CrossBreed Here
  9. Maksim
    As the euphoria of the 2016 presidential elections is wearing off, another feeling is starting to creep in on gun owners throughout our state.  That feeling is one of great concern for the few gun rights we currently enjoy.
    As Governor Christie's term is coming to an end, gun owners have to start accepting that in the near future, the few gun rights we currently enjoy are going to come under almost certain attack from politicians in the state.  Don't get me wrong, while Governor Christie has done nothing to improve gun rights in the state, at the very least he prevented more bad legislation from taking effect.  As the thought of a Liberal Democratic Governor is an utmost certainty, Democrats are going to have free reign over screwing over further restricting gun rights and enacting harsh legislations that will hamper the 2nd Amendment. 
    But wait... there is a chance, there are two Republicans running in this race, you say. Let's be realistic.
    First, over the last 100 years, only once has the incumbent party kept the Governor's office for a third term, after a Governor termed out.  That occurred in 1962 when Democrat Richard Hughes won office after two terms of fellow Democrat Robert Meyner. 
    Secondly, does anyone in their right minds think that a Republican can win after the "BridgeGate" Scandal and Governor Christie's close association to President Trump?
    In either case, neither of the Republican candidates have the financial or the political capital to compete with Phil Murphy.  (who is having ex VP Joe Biden fly in for a campaign visit)
    Short of a miracle, NJ residents better get used to the idea of Governor Phil Murphy.
    So What Does A Governor Murphy Mean For Gun Owners?
    The idea of a Governor Murphy should frighten any gun owner in the state, wishing and willing to give anything to have a "moderate" Sweeney over Liberal Murphy.
    To get an idea of the gun agenda, we take a look at what Phil Murphy has on his website, Murphy4NJ.com,
    The website further goes to point out the legislation that would prevent persons on the various government watch lists from being able to purchase a firearm. While this is the most "sensible" legislation, it failed for one key reason, there was ZERO due process for person's on those watch lists.  People on the no fly lists, such as Senator Ted Kennedy, Congressman John Lewis, and CNN reporter Drew Griffin would not be allowed to purchase firearms.  
    Beyond that, it would mean Phil Murphy would sign legislation that would confiscate guns from people accused of non-violent domestic issues and limits on the firearms that you may own, including lower magazine limits
    To take the ridiculous to the next level, Phil Murphy proposes the following,
    Required Gun Safety Training
    As they say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.   These good intentions seem "sensible" to the common resident of New Jersey, but they are surely hell for any gun owner.
    Look, I am ALL FOR gun owners having safety training and technological improvements that would be helpful for those looking for it, HOWEVER, since when can the government restrict a God given right?
    Are people required to take a public speaking class before talking to anyone?  Perhaps they should be, but just like free speech, and UNLIKE driving, the right to keep and bear arms.... is a right, and not a privilege.  
    Are gun owners who do not take the "mandated gun safety training" to be considered "un-trustworthy"? 
    If so, prior to the 1938 Regulations Against Jews' Possession of Weapons in Nazi Germany, Jews were disarmed by the police on the basis that "the Jewish population 'cannot be regarded as trustworthy'"  On that basis, who is to control the educational requirements? Who sets the agenda? Do we have the same educational requirements before we go buy a bottle of Vodka or a kitchen knife?  Are gun owners who do not complete this education requirement going to be stripped of their guns and GUN RIGHTS?
    More importantly, who is going to pay for this training?
    As much as I am all for gun owners taking gun training classes, I do not see anywhere in the Constitution or the Bill of Rights anything related to being "educated" before practicing a right.
    Smart Guns
    The problem here is what is not told.  The NJ Smart Gun laws would REQUIRE every gun sold in NJ to be a "smart gun" once one is commercially available. Yep.... so unless they repeal the existing law, this should be a non starter for ANYONE.  Beyond that, do we require every grocery stores to carry certain items?  Why should gun store owners and operators be TOLD what they HAVE TO offer.
    Gun Sales Tax
    How do you make sure you keep poor people poor?  You keep on taxing them.  
    One thing that I have learned over the last 9 years with NJ Gun Forums is that gun owners in this state comes from all demographic groups.  For every affluent gun owner, there are 20 people who love shooting but have to scrape up every cent they can save in order to fund their new gun purchase.  
    Any firearms sales tax is only going to hurt gun buyers, and more importantly will hurt the vendors in the state.  The ONLY people who will be winning are the gun dealers in PA and Delware who will be more than happy to sell their guns to NJ gun buyers.
    Required NICS and Gun Registration
    Hold on there... didn't the municipality and the state police just do the extensive background check when they issued that FID and those brand spanking new pistol permits?
    I think it is a good idea to do a NICS check anyway, but it is yet annother financial burden and expense.  There is a $15 nics charge in NJ, because NJ gets its grubby paws on it, rather than the federal NICS system used in most of Free America.  Are NICS checks going to be free for everyone in NJ?
    Gun Registration? The state police and the municipality already have those records every time a pistol permit gets sent in.  But in any case... you know who also had mandatory gun registrations?  Hitler, Stalin and Mao all enacted gun registration and subsequent gun confiscation before they murdered millions of political dissidents.  (all under good intentions of course).
     
    Ban on 50 Caliber Rifles
    Seriously?  Again?
    Can any politician give a realistic reason to ban all 50 caliber rifles?
    When was the last time that a criminal committed a crime in NJ with a 50 caliber... flintlock, 50 Beowolf, 500 Nitro Express or muzzle loader.... those are after all more likely to be in someone's gun collection than a $5k or more expensive Barrett 50 BMG.    Heck, why not go after 600/700 Nitro Express, 500 S&W, 50 Action Express too. 
    The biggest risk to airplanes (the commonly cited 2010 case) is not a guy with a 50 caliber rifle, but rather the broken infrastructure all around.   
    Bottom Line
    "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." - John Acton
    A democrat in the governor's office and a democrat controlled legislature is grim news for New Jersey and anyone concerned with gun rights.
    What's different this time is that it is a top item for Democrats eager to do anything to act out against President Trump.
    There are many gun rights advocates in the state who will say we have to rise up and fight.  Unfortunately I don't think it will make any difference this time for the simple facts that the powers that be both do not understand gun issues, nor CARE about your rights. 
    For those that can leave, it may be opportune to do as @Pizza Bob says in every post "adios."   For everyone else left behind, hang on, it's going to be a bumpy ride.
    -Maks
    For further reading and discussion on this topic I recommend, 
    While we typically do not have political topics out in general discussion, @67gtonut has set up a special section dedicated to the 2017 NJ Gubernatorial Race, We look forward to seeing you there.
    https://www.njgunforums.com/forum/index.php?/forum/189-new-jersey-gubernatorial-election-2017/
  10. Maksim
    When I first got into shooting in the mid 2000s,  I quickly became interested in long range shooting.
    At that time, the standard recommendation for most shooters was to pick up  a Remington 700 Police or a 700 VS and if your budget does not allow that, a Savage model 10FP, both in 308 Winchester.  Generally, both of these guns would allow you to shoot around 1 MOA or better with match grade ammunition.  In either case however,  you were recommended to get into reloading if you wanted to get as consistent results as possible.
    Once you get above these hunting turned target guns, you were looking at very high end offerings such as the Accuracy International chassis systems or essentially custom guns by well known rifle builders such as GA Precision.  Unfortunately, as great as these high end platforms are, they are out of reach for most gun owners.
    Fast forward a decade and today we find a massive rise in popularity of both long range and extended long range shooting.  Most impressive is that you can find plenty of videos of gun owners shooting milk jugs from 1,000 yards to over a mile away with stock guns!
    So what's changed?
    I believe there are a number of key drivers which gun owners have to thank for the plethora of options available to them at price points of $2,000 and less.  These drivers are both growing demand AND the availability/supply of firearms.
    From the demand perspective, I think we can thank two drivers for this, YouTube and gun games such as 3 Gun and the practical shooting inspired PRS, which is if you can imagine, an IDPA or USPSA match however you are moving and shooting with a precision rifle, shooting at targets at out at 1,000 yards or more!  
    Fortunately, with all of this demand, manufacturers decided to pour in resources and we now have numerous products at the very competitive price point of $2,000 or less.  Best of all, these guns are generally created to be accurate first, rather than being a firearm designed for hunting remarketed as a precision gun.
    Today, gun owners have such firearms as the Ruger Precision Rifle, the Thompson Center LRR, the Howa Oryx, Mossberg MVP and Savage 110 which use the latest manufacturing processes to produce factory rifles capable of sub MOA shooting (1" at 100 yards, 2" at 200 yards, etc.)
    The overriding theme here however is that I don't believe this would not have happened if it was not for the "Trump Slump."
    During the Obama years, manufacturers were able to sell basic $500 AR-15s for $1,000 or more.  It was only after President Trump was elected and the fear of imminent gun control no longer drove sales, did manufacturers truly innovate and create such firearms at these very affordable prices.   
    This is of course not just anecdotal evidence but can be seen in the sales data. 
    For anyone who has been reading my "NICS Data" research on Seeking Alpha knows that long gun sales are at decade lows.  At the same time, PRS and extended long range shooting is quickly growing.  The main benefactor here being "chassis guns."
    The other major change enabling the success in long range shooting is the mass market appeal of new cartridges such as 6.5 Creedmoor.
    Why?
    In the simplest terms, the newer calibers such as 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, 300 PRC, 6mm Creedmoor, and 224 Valkyrie were designed with different SAAMI specs, predominantly around a bullet with a higher BC (ballistic coefficient) in a larger cartridge with more powder.  In short, better bullet, bigger cartridge, more powder giving you faster velocity and a bullet that is far more tolerant of wind.  
    Yes, it is time to settle the debate... 6.5 Creedmoor is an all around better cartridge than 308 Winchester and is quickly becoming the go to norm for gun owners entering this category.  After more than 10 years we can start admitting, it is likely not going away, especially as with stock factory ammunition, a shooter can effectively increase their range from around 1,000 yards out to 1,400.  
    Bottom line, are these guns somehow going to put custom rifle builders out of business?  No... because there is always that crowd of people who will be looking at a gun that can shoot 1/4 MOA and is willing to pay $4,000 or more on the rifle.  If you are happy with .5 to 1 MOA with a gun that you can purchase for around $1,000 and don't need to reload for, then this is certainly an exciting time to be a gun owner.
    If you have not done so yet,  do subscribe and follow my Precision Rifle series on YouTube where we take a look at the latest and most popular precision guns at $2,000 or less!
     
     
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