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APRIL 4, 2019

SIG SAUER, Inc. adds to its Elite Match ammunition line with the addition of a 30-06 Springfield round. Featuring a 175gr Sierra MatchKing bullet, the SIG SAUER 30-06 Win Open Tip Match round has a muzzle velocity of 2,700 fps with a muzzle energy of 2,833 ft-lbs.
The United States Concealed Carry Association announced that its upcoming annual expo will include a special showroom devoted solely for responsibly-armed women. The Women’s Concealed Carry Showroom will allow attendees to try women-specific carry options with specific product and service recommendations for female firearms owners, shooters and instructors.
The SIG SAUER P320 XCOMPACT, now available in retail stores, is a modular, striker-fired, 9mm pistol that combines concealability with full-size XSERIES features.

Performance Center announced that it has nine new models of M&P Shield M2.0 pistols that include a longer, 4 inch barrel and slides designed for red dot optics. For the first time ever, the Performance Center M&P Shield M2.0 is available with a slide cut for optics and ships with a red dot included, delivering a slim, red-dot ready concealed carry pistol.
Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Inc. announced that the REC10 is now available at dealers for civilian purchase. Barrett has spent many hours perfecting the semi-automatic 308 rifle and it's shipping now.
DeSantis Gunhide introduces 13 holster fits for the H&K VP9-B. These include the #001 Thumb Break Scabbard, the #062 Apache Ankle Rig and more.

FN America, LLC is pleased to announce that the company was recognized for its exemplary safety record by the South Carolina Manufacturer’s Alliance.
Davidson’s announced it has added Shadow Systems with an intial focus on the MR918 series of pistols. The Shadow Systems MR918 is a multi-role 9mm pistol.
Leica Sport Optics will be expanding their internal sales team with the creation of 3 new sales positions - National Accounts Manager, Key Accounts Sales Manager, and Sales Administrator.

Viridian Weapon Technologies is now shipping the E Series red laser sight for the Mossberg MC1sc pistol. It fits the pistol without hampering concealability and can be purchased as a package from Mossberg or as an accessory from Viridian.
TAC SHIELD announces the release of their new “Low Profile Admin Pouch,” made of 1000 denier Cordura. The pouch features a flapped exterior pouch that will accommodate flashlights or pistol magazines, and the two slots on the front will hold a wide variety of gear like pens, multi-tools, and more.
The Samson narrow profile, M-LOK handguard for SIG SAUER MPX pistols and carbines is the answer for those wishing to replace their large factory handguard.

Bear & Son Cutlery, manufacturer of premium made-in-the-USA knives, adds a new series of pocket knives to the 2019 lineup with Bear Branded Bone knives.
The Board of Governors of the National Shooting Sports Foundation® (NSSF®) is pleased to announce that it appointed Mark Boyadjian to the board during its recent annual meeting.
This issue of American Frontiersman magazine is the first issue of 2019 and it’s the first quarterly edition. This means more DIY project blueprints, more trapping skills and more helpful insight from your favorite writers.
Ballistic Magazine features Pop Evil’s bassist Matt DiRito, a musician with a deep-rooted love of 1911s who’s involved in charity work with kids battling serious long-term illnesses. There’s also a round table with Pat McNamara and others about how they deal with 2nd Amendment attacks from the inexperienced.
 

The BR9 Hi Power clone comes with two Mec-Gar magazines, the standard for Hi Powers.  This clone has a baked on finish, which is well done, or they’re available in stainless.

Regular readers know I’m a Hi Power fan. The “Browning” is the original “hi capacity” semi auto pistol. It’s a proven design, popular all over the world, except the U.S. FN/Browning stopped producing the gun in 2017. Finding a good Hi Power has become hard, expensive and something you might not want to customize. But there is hope. The Turkish firm Trabzon Silah Sanayi A.?. – Tisa - is producing the Regent BR9 “Hi Power.” This clone is being imported into the U.S. by LKCI, out of Ohio. And, at about $500, it’s affordable.

The Hi Power was a revolutionary, hi-capacity pistol released 1935. John Browning was a major contributor to the design, which is a big plus for any firearm. (He passed before final designing was completed and actual production.) It’s been battle tested all over the world; over ninety nations adopted it for military and law enforcement work. Both Allies and Axis powers carried the Hi Power during WWII. It was my “first,” my own semi auto pistol for carry -- which is funny because that’s what I’m back to carrying again.

As noted above, FN/Browning stopped making the Hi Power -- in 2017. (This event was noteworthy enough to be mentioned by Popular Mechanics.) Original Browning Hi Powers, when you can find one, are expensive. “Imported” FN/Brownings Hi Powers are usually beyond abused, requiring complete rebuilds for safety and reliability.

Various companies were producing Hi Powers, some with FN/Browning’s blessings, which equaled the FN/Browning pistols in quality. These too are getting expensive. Other companies didn’t bother to get licensed and simply copied the design; some of these models are junk. With the Tisa Regent BR9 you have an affordable Hi Power option for a buying a new “Browning,” and they’re offering a stainless version too.

Turkey has become a hotbed of firearms production, including clones and original designs. In 2017 Turkey was number four on the list of countries importing firearms into the U.S., below #1, Austria – Glocks, then Brazil and Germany.

I know, we’re always worried about a clone or copy of something that’s being produced in a foreign country, but reports on reliability are good. In fact, the Regent BR9 is being sold by Brownells, which tells you how good it is. Plus, it’s being used by several Hi Power custom shops as a basis for their complete builds.

For a full test review of the BR9 – truly a torture test – check out BH Spring Solutions’ website. During this torture test - firing rapidly until it was too hot to function, then dunking it in water to cool and continuing firing – they did discover some weak areas. However, they also offer a BR9 “Essential Reliability” kit. If you plan on doing heavy shooting / training / practice, this kit contains the parts they had trouble with during testing: the extractor, pin and spring, a firing pin retaining plate and heavy firing spring, plus sear pin and lever pin.

Seven shot slow fire group from seven yards in a standard two-handed stance. Accuracy was good, and there were no malfunctions over about 100 rounds. A friend, also a Hi Power guy, shot it as well and was very impressed, especially considering the price.

I was in Scottsboro Gun & Pawn a couple of months ago. Sitting on display was a Hi Power. It felt nice in hand, and the internals looked good. Once they told me the price it was over and done. All Hi Powers need some upgrades for carry, like a different thumb safety – the BR9 has the small original style. Research shows it will accept standard Hi Power and aftermarket parts. As a DIY’er it’s great for me.

So, who needs a Regent BR9 clone? For me it’s perfect. I can customize it, learn some new skills, and if I screw it up, I haven’t ruined a classic. Anyone who is familiar with Hi Powers knows it a great platform, and easy to shoot. Having a spare to wear to the range saves wear and tear on your original. For anyone wanting to experience the classic Hi Power without investing a great sum the BR9 is an ideal platform. To sum it up, anyone who needs a Hi Power should investigate the Regent BR9.

Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy, located in northern Alabama. He is the author of The Book of Two Guns, AR-15 Skills and Drills, featured on GunTalk’s DVD, “Fighting With The 1911 and has regular columns in Gun Digest and American Handgunner.

www.shootrite.org

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shootrite-Firearms-Academy/156608611038230?ref=ts

 
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