CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S1 Pistol and Carbine Reviews

Recently, shooters have taken interest in Short Barreled Rifles (SBR), pistol caliber carbines, and pistols like the CZ Scorpion EVO with arm braces. Gun enthusiasts, collectors, and operators alike have quickly found that these pistols and carbines chambered in popular pistol calibers are versatile, effective at many uses, and enjoyable to shoot. The recent resurgence of pistol calibers in short action rifles fits a niche in tactical, combat, and home defense arms. These small and versatile weapons offer the versatility of an AR or AK with the adaptability of rail systems, and the compactness allowing it to fit in spaces AR or AK’s could not.

The CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S1 Carbine and the CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S1 Pistol chambered in 9mm luger offer low recoil, cost effective, and accurate shooting with plenty of firepower. Capable in the hands of tactical shooters, law enforcement agents, and range shooters; the CZ Scorpion offer versatile rifles that are highly customizable, ergonomic, and a pleasure to run and shoot.

With a variety of aftermarket features and accessories on the market designed around rail systems, customizing the CZ Scorpion EVO is straightforward and uncomplicated. Adding on night vision or thermal systems, flashlights, laser sights, red dot optics, and even sound suppressors is easily done with these highly customizable pistols and carbines. The Scorpion EVO by CZ is offered with several different customizations.

CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S1 Carbine

The CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S1 Carbine has a 16.2” barrel fitted with the option of a muzzle brake or a suppressor specifically built for the model by SilencerCo. The 9mm Carbine has M-LOK attachment points to keep the carbine slim and lightweight.

CZ Scorpion Evo 3 S1 Pistol

The CZ Scorpion sub-gun is a semi-auto pistol chambered in 9mm with a short 7 ¾” barrel. An 11’ Picatinny rail sits on top of the pistol as well as a new arm brace adapter which allows the addition of an AR style buffer tube for added stability.

CZ Scorpion 3 S2 Pistol Micro with Brace

The CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S2 Micro is a 9mm pistol featuring a 4” barrel and a telescoping SB Tactical arm brace allowing it to collapse to just over 16 inches. The Micro also has a NoOsprey faux suppressor from SilencerCo.

CZ Scorpion EVO Reviews

Tune into Youtube personality Iraq8888’s channel for a review of the CZ Scoprion EVO 3. He lays out multiple scenarios and use cases running the Scorpion through its paces!

CZ ScorpioEvo 3 Pistol | Budget Friendly Pistol review is done by DevildogGamer. He reviews why he chose this sub-gun over other competitors like the MP5. He explains how light the gun is yet still keeps up with the quality expectations you would expect for the price point.

In CZ Scorpion EVO “Essential Upgrades” Vol 1 Mayor Fuglycool goes over the upgrades he recommends for the CZ Scorpion EVO. He discusses the trigger, charging handle, safety selector, mag release lever, and silencer upgrades of the CZ Scorpion he feels are best for this particular firearm. They’re many different styles and colors of add-ons to choose from various manufactures as well as CZ.

The Ideal Backpack Gun: CZ Scorpion by Tactiholics discusses the versatility of the CZ Scorpion as a concealed carry piece, personal defense gun, or truck gun. They test the Scorpion from close range out to 50 yards with it finding its mark at all of those distances. Overall they leave you feeling that its performance is worth the price tag.

CZ Scorpion EVO 3 Carbine by sootch00 explains the history of this firearm and its advantages and disadvantages on the range. The Scorpion’s handling qualities create for a fun experience on the range with only a mild recoil being felt. He feels they’re plenty of applications for this firearm because of its versatility. 

This video by FirearmFreedom discusses the CZ Scorpion Upgrades that are available for the Scorpion.

CWD Monitoring and Research Funding Dries Up

Read Original Blog on Petersens Hunting

Once Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) made national headlines, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Pumped Millions of dollars into monitoring and research efforts. CWD, now found in 23 states and three Canadian provinces was determined not to be transmissible to humans, questionably leading to the downsizing of allocated funds to the monitoring and research efforts.

Kip Adams, Director of Education for the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) said: “My Understanding is that once it was determined that CWD was not transmissible to humans the USDA saw no need to keep funding…”

The Chronic Wasting Disease Management Act (HR-4454) introduced to the senate in November formed by the National Deer Alliance, QDMA, National Wildlife Federation, and the CWD Alliance aims to dedicate $60 Million for CWD monitoring and research.

Is a 22 Long Rifle Pistol Ideal for EDC?

Concealed carry is a hot topic in today’s gun-culture atmosphere. There has been a 256% increase in concealed carry licenses since 2007, and the trend doesn’t seem to be slowing. According to estimates there are over 16 million active concealed carry permits in the United States, and don’t forget there are at least 13 states that allow Constitutional Carry for residents without a permitWith all the attention and popularity surrounding the concealed carry topic, and adding a firearm to your Every Day Carry (EDC), arms manufacturers are taking notice. In recent years the market and selection in compact, lightweight concealed carry pistols has boomed, pun intended! Cartridges like the .380, 9mm, and .38 have gained in popularity and increased their market share. With concealed carry in mind, folks are paying close attention to size and weight when choosing an EDC pistol. What could be lighter, smaller, and easier to carry than a .22 Long Rifle (LR) pistol?

Check out 22plinkster, a popular YouTube shooting personality, with his review and thoughts on the LifeCard 22 LR Pistol by Trailblazerfirearms. This pistol is just one of many on the market designed for concealed carry and chambered in .22 LR.

The .22 LR has a long history with shooters, but for concealed carry and personal protection? There are at least two sides to every argument, and the .22 LR for personal carry is no exception. The 22 LR cartridge is way underpowered when compared to any ACP cartridge, it is a low velocity round, and its minimal kinetic energy leaves many who carry wanting more. However, the saying goes, the best concealed weapon is the one you will carry. Can the virtues of comfort, small size, and ease of carry offered by the .22 LR convince you to always carry? The constant development for smaller, lighter and more comfortable pistols by manufacturers is a tell tale sign that consumers are looking for something that fits that bill. If the weight, size, lack of concealability, and lack of comfort causes you to think twice about holstering your pistol on the way out the door, maybe the .22 LR is a viable option? Either as your primary carry, or a backup for your EDC, is the .22 LR a contender for concealed carry and personal defense?

Are Integral Suppressors Worth the Hype?

Recently, suppressors have found their share of the spotlight in the shooting community. Firearm enthusiasts are outfitting more and more rifles with sound suppressors, or silencers as the government terms them. According to the ATF there are nearly 1 million legal suppressors in circulation in America today. The market for rifle customization has skyrocketed in recent years, and the number of accessory manufacturers has grown right alongside the trend for custom rifles and parts. Adding a suppressor to your rifle takes a little more than just a threaded barrel, there are details to consider in regards to the type of suppressor, the law, and the rifle itself. In fact, a threaded barrel might not even be required as you’ll learn in this discussion of integral suppressors.

Types of Rifle Suppressors

There are three types of suppressors on the market today. Most shooters and people familiar with the firearm industry will quickly identify the most common, the screw on suppressor.

• Screw On Suppressor-
Screw on suppressors are easy to add onto a threaded barrel, and are commonly available in most mainstream centerfire and rimfire calibers. Adding a screw on suppressor onto the popular AR-15 rifle, a bolt action rifle, or even a semi automatic pistol requires a threaded barrel, a compatible bore size, and an ATF stamp.

• Quick Attach Suppressor-
Another type of suppressor available for shooters today is the quick attach suppressor. Quick attach suppressors use a type of either locking or non-locking adaptor or muzzle break that threads onto the rifle barrel. The greatest advantage to using quick attach suppressors is the ability to swap a shooting suppressor between rifles that are not threaded the same. You will often find shooters who are running a 7.62mm suppressor on their 5.56mm rifle are using a quick attach system. Quick attach suppressors still require a threaded barrel for the adaptor to screw to, and the suppressor attaches to the adaptor. Another advantage to the locking quick attach suppressor setup is its ability to prevent the suppressor from coming unscrewed when doing high volume shooting, an issue that occurs with screw on type suppressors.

• Integral Suppressor-
One type of suppressor that is a totally new look and idea compared to the screw on and quick attach suppressor is the integral suppressor. Integral suppressors utilize sound suppression technology built directly into the rifle barrel. Choosing to shoot an integral suppressor requires you to either purchase an integrally suppressed rifle to start with, or to buy an integrally suppressed barrel for a rifle you already own. The idea of an integrally suppressed rifle barrel is gaining some traction in the shooting world, and for good reason. Technically, dropping an integrally suppressed upper into an AR-15 or a factory suppressed barrel from Ruger into your 10-22 is easy to accomplish. So here is a look at what the hype is all about.

Integral Suppressor Considerations

Advantages

Accuracy –
Integral suppressors offer improved accuracy over their screw on and quick attach cousins. Integral suppressors typically keep the weight of the suppressor technology balanced across the barrel and not hanging out over the end of the barrel on the muzzle, making for a balanced rifle that is easier to get on and keep on target. Because the suppressor is built into the rifle barrel, there is no impact shift to contend with. Impact shift is a concern when removing or adding a screw on or quick attach suppressor. Taking a suppressor on or off a rifle or pistol commonly changes the point of impact requiring zeroing a scope, tuning a red dot, or adjusting iron sights everytime you go from suppressed to not and back again.

Optics-
Because integral suppressors incorporate the sound suppression technology into the barrel without adding bulk and mass to the end of the muzzle, there are no issues with optics and sights being blocked. When mounting a scope or optical rail system onto a rifle with integral suppression, scope rings can be kept low to aid in optimal eye relief and accuracy.

Ergonomics-
Since the suppressor is actually built into the barrel on integrally suppressed firearms, manufacturers are able to make rifles shorter, lighter, and better handling than removable suppressors with the same DB reduction. Ergonomics are improved when the suppressor is built into the rifle on purpose. Handling, feel, and ease of use are improved with integrally suppressed firearms compared to detachable type suppressed weapons.

Heat Protection-
Heat buildup in a rifle suppressor is an issue that is common especially when running semi auto rifles with larger capacity magazines. In either .22 rimfire, 5.56 AR-15, or in higher powered AR-10, high volume shooting and rapid fire will overheat a detachable suppressor. Integral suppressors are not immune for heat buildup, but they can take considerably more rapid fire. Integral suppressors are able to dissipate heat more efficiently than detachable suppressors, many even have built in heat protection in their design.

Disadvantages

It’s apparent that integral suppressors have many advantages over removable firearm suppressors. With so many reasons to choose an integral suppressor, why are they not as common among shooters? There are some disadvantages to consider when investigating integrally suppressed rifles.

Legal Issues-
Each suppressor a shooter owns requires a $200 federal tax stamp issued through the ATF. The biggest advantage to removable suppressors is the ability to use a single suppressor on multiple weapons. Generally, integral suppressors do not lend themselves to sharing between guns, and each integrally suppressed firearm requires its own $200 stamp. The legal requirement of a $200 stamp for each suppressor owned essentially increases the cost of any integrally suppressed firearm by $200.

Replacement-
Suppressed barrels on integrally suppressed firearms have a unique serial number identifying the issued tax stamp for that suppressor. If a barrel becomes damaged or worn out, shooters can’t just drop in a new suppressed barrel. If you must replace the serialized portion of your integrally suppressed weapon, the barrel, the replacement requires its own $200 stamp in addition to the cost of the new barrel and returning the firearm back to the manufacturer for repair or replacement.

Loaning Your Rifle-
Most states allow shooters to loan their personal firearms to other residents of the same state. It’s not uncommon for an uncle or grandpa to loan a deer rifle for the season, or brothers or friends to borrow a rifle for a test drive before buying one of their own. Loaning of suppressors, or silencers is prohibited by federal law. Loaning, or borrowing a suppressor, either integrated or detachable is a federal offense.

Putting it All Together

Sound suppressed firearms offer shooters an alternative to risking tinnitus and hearing loss due to loud recoil. The use of a suppressor not only makes shooting more enjoyable, but safer for the shooters and others at the range as well. The largest disadvantage to running a sound suppressor of any type is the legal cost and wait period. Integral suppressors seem to compound the legal issue by tying the firearm itself to the suppressor serial number, tax, and form.

There is a movement in the shooting community to ease the burden of owning a suppressor through legislation and the Federal Hearing Protection Act. The hope is suppressors will be deregulated from the 1934 National Firearms Act and treated as simply an accessory to a firearm. Getting traction in congress and momentum to get a bill passed is not easy or fast. If shooters are successful in helping to pass common sense firearm suppressor legislation, the issues surrounding an integral suppressor for your rifle may be a thing of the past.

Pistol Stabilizing Braces

There are only a few achievements in the firearm industry that can truly be considered revolutionary. Most of the time these items are fads and only popular at the time they were invented. However, some are so game-changing they rock the industry so much that it changes federal policy for the good. One such example is the pistol stabilizing brace. Specifically the SB Tactical stabilizing brace.

Just a mere six years ago large pistols like that AR-15 pistol were a niche within a niche. Less than a handful of manufacturers made AR-15 pistols. They were not well received simply due to the fact that they were difficult to shoot. Sure you could add a stock after you filed Form 1 along with a passport photo and a copy of your fingerprints to the ATF. Oh and don’t forget the $200 dollars in taxes you need to pay for your Tax Stamp. Then you wait several months for the ATF to approve your request to put a stock on your pistol. Now you have a registered Short Barreled Rifle (SBR). Sure the Tax Stamp is an inconvenience and the cost is considered prohibitive to some, while some people have issue with submitting and requesting the federal government for anything. So unless you wanted to spend the money SBRing your AR-15 pistol, they are relegated to range toy status.

SB Tactical’s Alex Bosco

Well at the same time USMC and Army veteran Alex Bosco returned to the States. He went to a shooting range with a disabled combat veteran. This veteran had difficulty controlling the firearm they were shooting. There had to be a better way. That is when Alex came up with the pistol stabilizing brace. It was a rubber like material that slides over a pistol buffer tube. There are two wings that straddle the shooter’s forearm and a velcro strap secures the brace. Without the brace holding an AR pistol with one hand is awkward. The balance is terrible and most of the weight is past your hand. The brace helps carry this weight on your forearm.

Alex founded SB Tactical and submitted his pistol stabilizing brace to the ATF to make sure it does not alter the pistol. Remember, adding a stock to a pistol makes it an SBR and without the approval and tax stamp, it is a felony to make them. ATF evaluated the pistol stabilizing brace and approved it. Since it was made of a soft material it was not suitable for shouldering and therefor was not considered a stock.

In 2013, with his ATF approval letter, Alex shopped the stabilizing brace to various firearm manufacturers. The first two companies to adopt the pistol stabilizing brace was Century Arms International and SIG Sauer. Century Arms International use of the brace was not as well-known as SIG Sauer. SIG launched their line of SIG AR pistols with the infamous “SIG Brace”. For years people assumed SB of SB Tactical stood for SIG Brace.

In March 2014, the ATF issued a second letter stating that “for the following reasons, we have determined that firing a pistol from the shoulder would not cause the pistol to be reclassified as an SBR: FTB classifies weapons based on their physical design characteristics. While usage/functionality of the weapon does influence the intended design, it is not the sole criterion for determining the classification of a weapon. Generally speaking, we do not classify weapons based on how an individual uses a weapon.”

This is when a paradigm shift occurs in the firearm industry. The floodgates open and nearly every manufacturer of AR-15 starts rolling out their own version of an AR pistol. Of course stabilizing braces were not exclusive to AR style firearms. SB Tactical made a brace for AK pistols as well as braces for HK and CZ firearms.

Shouldering the Brace

Everything seemed to be going great until too many people submitted questions to the ATF about shouldering a brace. Then in 2015 ATF issued an OPEN LETTER about the use of a stabilizing brace as a shoulder stock. They issued this letter just before SHOT Show in January 2015 that resulted in widespread confusion and legal concerns in the firearms industry. The letter stated that, “the pistol stabilizing brace was neither ‘designed’ nor approved to be used as a shoulder stock, and therefore use as a shoulder stock constitutes a ‘redesign’ of the device because a possessor has changed the very function of the item.”

2015 and 2016 were dark times for the brace industry. A couple of competitors had entered the market and while they have received their own approval letters for their designs, they do not have the same language as SB Tactical’s approval letters. The OPEN LETTER was addressed to the public. Whereas approval letters only apply to the specific entity mentioned within. There was some confusion at the time. Some competitors tried to distance themselves from the OPEN LETTER stating that “Stabilizing Brace” mentioned in the letter does not apply to them as that corresponds directly to SB Tactical. Far from the truth.

For 2 years after the OPEN LETTER, Alex Bosco spent a significant amount of personal time and money on lawyers to clarify the OPEN LETTER with the ATF Firearms Technology Branch (FTB). The FTB are the guys in charge of making the decisions that make up the OPEN LETTER. They have to be the ones to clearly define what makes a pistol and what makes a rifle. Two years SB Tactical and their layers went back and forth with the ATF and to their credit, a miraculous event occurred. After further review of their products in March 2017, the ATF issued a private letter to SB Tactical that their previous 2015 interpretations were incorrect.

Stabilizing Braces in the Present

It is now over a year later and the world of stabilizing braces is going strong. As mentioned earlier, there is only a handful of industry changing accessories that are so amazing that they dominate the market. Almost every firearm manufacturer offers a product with a brace. In some cases, the brace has led and influenced firearm development. It opened the market to many new options of firearms that might not have been made or imported. Pistols can be imported into the US without needing 922R compliance. This is not the case regarding rifles.

The CZ Scorpion Evo 3, The H&K SP5K (civilian version of their MP5K) and even the CZ Bren pistol have become extremely popular. However, they would not be as popular if they did not have a brace option. SB Tactical makes dedicated braces for those weapon systems.

Their latest brace, the SBA3 is a five-position adjustable brace that is a hybrid of polymer and rubber. It comes with a Mil-Spec carbine buffer tube so you can install it on your pistol AR-15 of choice. Normally Mil-Spec carbine buffer tubes have six positions but due to the length set by the ATF regarding braces, the SBA3 does not use the sixth position, therefore, it stays within the legal limit of braces.

The industry would be stagnant if it were not for the hard-earned groundwork that SB-Tactical laid out in the past six years. We would not have seen the industry explode with pistol ARs and other large frame pistols if it were not for them.

Kent State University Grad on Campus with AR-10

Original Post on Fox News Insider, Feature from @kaitlinmarieox

Upon graduating, Kent State University graduate Kaitlin Bennett, 22, posed in front of the Kent Student Center with an AR-10. This was a direct jab at the insulting gun policies on campus that allow for guests to carry but not students, faculty, or staff. Since posting the photos she’s received praise and death threats.

Read the Original Post Here

Hunters and Anglers Willing to Be Taxed More for Conservation

Original Post from Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A nationwide telephone survey recently showed that hunters and anglers would agree with a tax increase to fund conservation efforts. The poll was commissioned by the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and conducted by the research firm Pubic Opinion Strategy.

It has always been known that sportsmen, hunters and anglers are big supporters of conservation. Through the Pitman-Robertson and Dingel-Johnson excise taxes hunters and anglers already pay towards conservation efforts on state and federal lands. The recent poll now showed that 81 percent of respondents would agree to a tax increase to fund conservation, 31% willing to pay $100 or more in new taxes to restore and/or maintain water quality or quantity.

Read The Full Blog Here on the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

Shotguns | The Original Multi-Tool

The most widely owned, versatile and adaptive firearm in the world today is without question the shotgun. Capable of a multitude of tasks, equally effective across an immense range, and adaptable, shotguns are astonishing tools. Every hunter and shooter should have at least one shotgun in their collection. There are guns designed around specific tasks and guns that excel at fitting many niches, many factors should be recognized and considered when buying a shotgun.

Shotguns come in a wide variety of types, makes, and models. Some shotguns are built specifically with a special use or task in mind, yet others are built for versatility and adaptability. The options can be mind-blowing with so many choices and use cases out there, finding the right fit in a shotgun for your collection takes some consideration.

Many shooters, sportsmen, and firearm enthusiasts might consider shotguns simply for bird hunting and wing shooting. Scratching down ducks, field hunts for geese, and upland bird hunts for pheasants, quail, and chukar are terrific occasions to shoulder a shotgun, but shotguns are much more than that. Shotguns in both 12 gauge and 20 gauge, the most common gauges of shotguns, are versatile tools used for law enforcement, home defense, tactical shooting, big game hunting, and the list goes on. There are considerations to account for when it comes to action type, budget, use case, and versatility when you’re shopping for a new or used shotgun.

Use Case

Shotguns are extremely versatile, with the ability to function at a variety of tasks. Identifying a shotguns use, or deciding on an all-around firearm that performs well at many tasks calls for use case examination.

All Around

Shotguns are the original multi-tool, performing a variety of tasks equally well. A pump or semi-automatic gun chambered in 12 or 20 gauge with a 26 or 28-inch barrel equipped with screw in chokes can easily be considered the world’s most versatile firearm.

A shotgun barrel with a modified choke and loaded with light birdshot, will happily harvest upland game including pheasants, quail, rabbits, grouse, and squirrels. Feed that same shotgun 3” steel shot and you’ve got yourself the ultimate tool for taking ducks and geese. Change chokes and load up with slugs for hunting big game like deer and elk in areas that only allow low-velocity firearms. You can’t forget the perfect wild turkey gun in either spring or fall seasons, in most states shotguns are the only firearm allowed for turkey hunting.

Double up with the same gun as a formidable home defense weapon. Loaded with anything from buckshot and slugs to heavy game loads or even birdshot, a shotguns versatility lends itself to being a terrific option for home defense. Last but not least, don’t forget the sporting and recreation you can have with the same gun. Sporting clays, trap shooting, and tactical shooting at the range are all a perfect fit for the same pump or semi-auto in 12 or 20 gauge, with only the change of a choke and ammunition.

Specialty Tactical

A12 gauge setup with tactical furniture and the latest accessories creates a shotgun that starts focusing its use towards tactical. Shotguns are effective as weapons for law enforcement, military, home defense, and bug out scenarios. Shotguns are effective at door and lock breaching, and even engaging a target behind a cinderblock wall. There are even “less than lethal” rounds available, loaded with things like sandbags and rubber balls for assault use cases.

Manufacturers make a variety of accessories for most of the popular shotgun makes and models including accessory rails, lights, lasers, side saddles, and a large selection of grips, stocks, and forearms. Tactical shotguns can be built with a staggering measure of individual need and necessity, often starting with a platform that most would consider an all-around shotgun. Tricking out the popular Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 into a tactical style shotgun for whatever your use case is easily done by the at home handyman with common tools.

Slug Gun Hunter

Most people don’t think of deer or elk hunting when they think of shotguns, but don’t overlook the effectiveness of taking big game with a shotgun. Interestingly enough, states like Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia, and Maryland had or still have shotgun only mandates when it comes to deer hunting in at least part of the state. Also, there are public hunting areas the country over that require archery, muzzleloader or shotgun only when hunting big game, including deer and elk.

Putting a shotgun to work in pursuit of big game and feeding it slugs is easy to work for modern shotguns. In this scenario, the all-around pump or semi-automatic gun we discussed earlier is perfectly happy to become your big game firearm with the switch of a choke and ammunition. Many hunters, however, opt to build or buy a shotgun designed specifically for big game hunting. Most of the time this amounts to swapping barrels on an all-around shotgun to one designed with iron sights or one tapped for scope rails or bases. In fact, most optics companies produce a line of shotgun scopes with slug gun hunters in mind.

Uplander

No shotgun discussion is complete without touching on the refined and sophisticated class of shotguns. Elegant, balanced, and usually a substantial investment, shotguns designed for upland shooting can be works of art. The all-around pump or autoloader we looked at earlier is more than capable of taking the game on the wing, but for some upland hunters, a fine over and under or side by side is the ticket.

Still capable of shooting the same ammunition and fitting the use case scenarios of the shotgun in general, these noble guns are crafted with discerning clients in mind. Designed for bluebird skies and gentle walks along birdy cover and wing shooting over fine gun dogs, upland shotguns demand price tags in the thousands rather than hundreds. Some guns go as far as custom fit and balance to the shooter, and are equipped with interchangeable gauge tubes allowing a shooter to hunt or compete with the same balanced and custom gun in various gauge competitions.

Action Types

The most obvious difference between shotgun types is the action type. One action may or may not have an advantage over another. Depending on your use case and intended purpose of the firearm, one type action may be better than another. At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference and what you are comfortable with. Shotguns are available in a variety of actions including semi-auto, pump, break-over, and bolt action. Each action has its own pros and cons, use cases, and price point. Two actions stand above the rest when it comes to popularity and versatility, so for simplicity sake let’s take a closer look at those: pump action and semi-automatic.

Semi-Automatic Shotgun

At home in the duck blind, the deer stand, in a law enforcement patrol car, and on standby for home defense, semi-automatic shotguns have come a long way in recent years. With manufacturers like Benelli, Franchi, Browning, Stoeger, and Winchester all in competition for consumer dollars, the semi-auto shotgun market is full of great options.

Autoloaders have become increasingly reliable in recent years, and are a favorite for many shooters. Semi-automatic actions bring speed to the reload after the first round is fired that can’t be accomplished with a pump gun, making for faster follow up shots. Both gas and inertia action semi-automatic shotguns help reduce felt recoil by utilizing the guns recoil energy to cycle the action.

Pump Action Shotgun

Pump guns are classic American firearms both in modern manufacturing and classics passed down for generations. The pump action shotgun is known for reliability, versatility, and function.

With a mechanical action powered by the shooter, pump guns do not suffer from issues when cycling a variety of shotgun loads. Feeding a pump action shotgun a light brass #8 birdshot, followed by a deer slug, and a round of high brass #2’s behind that is no problem for a pump gun. Offered in a variety of gauges and barrel lengths, most shooters first shotgun is a pump. When it comes to shotguns, the pump action shotgun is the foundation.

New Trends and Emerging Designs

Things can sometimes move slowly in the firearm and shooting world. ArmaLite designed the ever popular AR-15 in 1956, 1911 pistols were developed in the year 1911, and the 30-06 round was established in 1906. Shotguns are no different, and their evolution has been slow. However, there are some new trends developing around shotguns recently.

Magazine Fed Shotguns

Fired by the ever popular AR-15 and AK-47, the convenience and function of detachable magazines have taken the shooting world by storm. Manufacturers understand that shooters are looking for something new and different. Incorporating the idea of a detachable magazine into pump action and semi-auto shotguns, gun makers like Remington and Mossberg have developed detachable magazine fed shotguns for shooters looking for something different.

AR-15 and AK-47 Style Shotguns

Based on the popularity of the modern sporting rifle designs like that AR-15 and AK-47, shotgun manufacturers are developing shotguns in the same style. Primarily designed for home defense, tactical shooting, and just plain looking “cool”; these shotguns come equipped with rails and customizing options similar to the AR and AK rifles. Companies like Tri-Star, Rock Island, and Siaga have developed tactical shooting systems designed around AR-15 and AK-47 styles.

Final Thoughts

Shotguns come in a variety of gauges, actions, and sizes. From little youth hunter starter pump guns to field guns chambered in 3 ½” magnum 12 gauge, and even revolver handguns chambered in .410. There is no other firearm so versatile and complementary to so many styles of hunting and shooting. Shotguns have a place in homes, camps, fields, duck blinds, patrol cars, and on gun ranges across America. Shotguns are as versatile as duct tape, and as tough as nails.

Mossberg® No Longer in Dick’s Sporting Goods

Feature and Full Article from Mossberg® Here

Earlier today Mossberg® announced that it is terminating its relationship with Dick’s Sporting Goods. This comes to light after Dick’s decision to hire gun control lobbyists, and Dick’s decision to destroy assualt style weapons after no longer selling them at its Field and Stream stores.

In the release Linda Powell, Director of media Relations states:

NORTH HAVEN, CT – O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc., a leading American firearms manufacturer, announced today its decision to discontinue selling products to Dick’s Sporting Goods, and its subsidiary, Field & Stream, in response to their hiring of gun control lobbyists in April 2018.

Effective immediately, O.F. Mossberg & Sons will not accept any future orders from Dick’s Sporting Goods or Field & Stream, and is in the process of evaluating current contractual agreements.

“It has come to our attention that Dick’s Sporting Goods recently hired lobbyists on Capitol Hill to promote additional gun control.” said Iver Mossberg, Chief Executive Officer of O.F. Mossberg & Sons. “Make no mistake, Mossberg is a staunch supporter of the U.S. Constitution and our Second Amendment rights, and we fully disagree with Dick’s Sporting Goods’ recent anti-Second Amendment actions.”

Consumers are urged to visit one of the thousands of pro-Second Amendment firearm retailers to make their purchases of Mossberg and Maverick® firearms.

Firearm retailers can be found through the Mossberg Dealer Locator by visiting http://www.mossberg.com/dealers/

Read the Full Mossberg Press Release Here –

Vista Outdoors Plans to Dump Savage and Stevens Firearms Brands

Original Post and Feature from MarketWatch.com Here

Vista Outdoors announced Tuesday that it is shifting its focus back on ammunition and shooting accessories and is exploring options for exiting its firearms brands. The Savage and Stevens firearms brands are not the only brands Vista plans to exit. It also will explore the sale of several brands including Bell helmets, Giro snow goggles, Blackburn handlebar tape, and Kimmy Styks paddle boards.

The company aims to refocus back to its core portfolio after a rapid acquisition of brands that scaled it outside of its niche. There is also some discussion that the company has received some backlash after the fatal shooting of 17 people in Parkland, Fla. Due to its firearms brands that produce assault-style weapons.

Read the full article on MarketWatch.com here.