SUBSCRIBE   
FEBRUARY 4, 2021

The Civilian Marksmanship Program has created a spring event loaded with matches and courses.These include a mix of traditional vintage and modern military rifle matches, pistol competitions and educational courses.
Outdoor Edge introduces the company’s latest all-purpose, everyday carry knife, the LeHawk. It has a 2.5-inch long Wharncliffe blade has a straight edge.
Primary Arms Online has announced their February firearms giveaway, which centers on a customized Heckler and Koch VP9 Tactical Optics-Ready 9mm pistol. Totaling at over $2,100, this package includes accessories and extras from popular brands like Holosun, SureFire, Grey Ghost Gear, and more.

SIG SAUER, Inc. is proud to announce the final delivery of the Next Generation Squad Weapons systems to the U.S. Army, consisting of the revolutionary 6.8x51 hybrid ammunition, the NGSW-AR lightweight belt-fed machine gun, the NGSW-R rifle, and suppressors.
Riton Optics is pleased to announce the promotion of Tony Tarantino to the position of Director of Marketing. Tarantino has been with Riton for nearly two years and has over twenty years in the firearms industry.
PROOF Research announces they have received Tactical Retailer’s readers’ choice Gold Award for Aftermarket Barrels for 2020.

Bangers LP, a shooting sports distributor, is pleased to announce the addition of Tac Shield and Sport Ridge products to their dealer catalog offerings.
Since 2011, Federal Ammunition has supported Wounded Warrior Project and the nonprofit’s free programs and services with an annual contribution to the Minnesota Wounded Warrior Charity Golf event. To date, the total contribution is just shy of $248,000 dollars.
Silencer Central, a large silencer dealer, announced its sponsorship of YouTube and Full30 video phenom Hickok45.

Despite a hectic 2020, Sellmark expanded its brands, product offerings and workforce, and now Sellmark is adding a 50,000 square-foot building to its international headquarters.
NSSF, the trade association for the firearm industry, is pleased to announce that its Patron members have elected Marvin C. (Marty) Daniel to its Board of Governors.
NSSF, the trade association for the firearm industry, announced that its Patron members have elected industry executive Laurie Lipsey Aronson to its Board of Governors.

Senate Bill 1250, a bill requiring background checks for gun rentals, is advancing through the Virginia Senate and the NSSF is encouraging residents to contact their state senator in opposition to SB 1250. SB 1250 is likely to come up for a vote in the very near future.
The Second Amendment Foundation filed an amicus brief in a federal case that is trying to force the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to define certain firearms components as “firearms.”
Meopta is pleased to introduce the MeoPro Optika LR series. Available in 10x42 HD and 8x50 HD models, these high-performance laser rangefinding binoculars quickly measure distance up to 2,600 yards and 2,950 yards, respectively.

The Samson B-TM Barrel Band replaces the factory barrel band on Ruger 10/22 rifles and includes an integrated QD sling swivel attachment mounting point. The band can be attached with the swivel mount located on either the left or right side of the rifle.
Tote your rifle to the field with comfort and ease using the Ten Point Gear Realtree Paracord Rifle Sling which is available in a variety of Realtree camo patterns and colors.
The Mepro Foresight includes the Meprolight App. Its web-based-smart-phone Bluetooth connectivity allows the shooter to select and store five reticles from a large database of reticles.
Scholastic Action Shooting Program National Director Rick Leach announces the naming of Madeline Maggard as a new Texas State Advisor for SASP.
A release from Luth-AR disclosed the loss of Michael Benecke, good friend of Randy, the Luth-AR family and the conservation, hunting and firearm community.
Steiner Optics announces its “Kick off the Year Right” promotion to give hunters and shooters great savings on popular Steiner binoculars and riflescopes. Savings can be had on select HX Series, M Series and the Commander binoculars along with select T5Xi riflescope offerings.
Barnaul, a manufacturer of precision steel-case ammunition, is now offering a new subsonic cartridge in 9mm Luger ideally suited for use with suppressors or for shooters competing in Minor Power Factor divisions.
 

Finally, we’re at my favorite rifle. But as usual, it’s not an easy matter to choose a favorite, even when it’s rifles. So, I’ve decided to include the .22 LR, because everyone needs one, my “best” bolt gun and chosen semi-auto.

The .22 long rifle is an essential caliber for all. When people think about “survival” or TEOTWAWKI – the end of the world as we know it – many neglect to include the .22LR in their considerations. It’s a minor caliber for sure, yet it will do almost anything needed, and normally in a small lightweight package. It’s good for gathering small game, and actually works in defensive situations. No, it wouldn’t be my first choice of defensive calibers, but the little bullets normally do a lot of damage – they tend to bounce around a lot in the body.

My favorite .22 semi-auto is the Ruger 10-22. They work great, are available in take-down models and there’s an almost endless supply of aftermarket accessories for customizing the 10-22. I’ve got a couple, but the one I shoot most is in an aftermarket M-1 Carbine-type stock and has peep sights. No telling how many rounds have been through it – I’ve owned it for about forty years – and it’s never been cleaned. Talk about reliability ... Regardless of how much abuse it sees, this 10-22 just keeps on running.

Everyone should own a bolt action rifle as well. You can’t be a rifleman or woman and not know how to shoot and operate the bolt action rifle. For me this category is filled with the Steyr Scout rifle, in .308 caliber. Steyr’s Scout rifle is built with input from Jeff Cooper and based on his “scout” rifle concept – a short lightweight platform with forward mounted scope. It’s just shy of thirty-nine inches long, weighs a tad over six and a half pounds and packs plenty of features. It’s not the most accurate rifle I’ve owned; it’s about a minute and a half grouper. The cool thing is that it holds this accuracy with about any type ammo you load into the mags. It’s a pleasure to shoot, something you could easily carry all day long if necessary and it will definitely work for defensive purposes.

Like many others, when it comes to a rifle to fill the semi-auto category my choice is the AR, in .223/5.56 caliber please. There’s never been a more versatile platform. The AR’s modular design was perfect for customizing; you can set one up for any purpose in a variety of calibers. The concepts behind the AR’s design – lightweight, reliability and ease of carrying lots of ammo – still apply today as well as after WW II. For defensive purposes it’s at the top of my list. Should I truly have to pick only one rifle, it’d be the AR. My “best-est” AR is an original Colt AR built along the lines of the old SP-1. It’s a simple rifle with the twenty-inch lightweight barrel, “delta” handguards and fixed stock. It’s reliable, a joy to shoot and got that nostalgic, retro look.

The joy of owning a variety of favorites is that things never get boring. They’re always fun to take to the range. With the ammo situation as it is today, instead of firing a lot of ammo through one or two guns, take several of your favorites out of the safe and fire a few rounds out of all of ‘em. Plus, we all know that when shooting one of your “favorites” things just always seem to go better.

Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy. He is the author of The Book of Two Guns, AR-15 Skills and Drills, has a regular column in American Handgunner and makes some cool knives and custom revolvers. Visit Shootrite’s Facebook page for other details.

Tactical Wire - 2271 N Upton St., Arlington, VA 22207
Copyright © 2020, All Rights Reserved.