Author: Richard Johnson

Richard Johnson is an American author, editor and entrepreneur.

A former police officer and trainer, he left public service and founded Tac6 Media, LLC.

Richard is a prolific writer with hundreds of articles related to firearms and law enforcement published by Harris Publications, Athlon Outdoors, NRA, Police & Security News, The Firearm Blog, Human Events and more.

He currently consults with clients who need online publication management, editorial services, content production and organic traffic acquisition through search engine optimization.

news

CMMG 50 Caliber Muzzle Loading AR15 Upper

Post author By Richard Johnson
Post date February 26, 2013
3 Comments on CMMG 50 Caliber Muzzle Loading AR15 Upper

At the 2012 SHOT Show, Aaron brought us a video of a muzzle loading, black powder AR-15 upper from CMMG. At that time, it was unknown if the company would actually bring this to market. Well…they have.

The one and only AR upper that turns your modern rifle into a black powder gun is a reality. It mounts to any mil-spec lower and is sure to get you some puzzled looks at hunting camp during black powder season.

Any normal 50 caliber projectile, including sabots, can be fired from this kit. Up to 100 grains of pelletized powder can be used to propel said projectile. To fire the gun, you insert the “Single Shot Sled” into the magazine well and chamber a primed, but otherwise empty, 5.56/.223 case into the chamber. Pull the trigger and the primer ignites the black powder. Boom.

Watch the video from the SHOT Show below to see how the gun is set up.

Tags 2012 SHOT Show, AR15, Black Powder, CMMG, muzzle loader, SHOT Show

Reloading

How To Reload Steel Case Ammo

Post author By Richard Johnson
Post date February 14, 2013
19 Comments on How To Reload Steel Case Ammo

So…is reloading steel cases possible? Conventional wisdom says you can’t reload steel case ammo, but reality says you can.

Sure, reloading brass cases are much easier, but you can reload steel cases. That cheap Wolf 7.62×39 and the surplus 7.62x54r can both be reloaded if you take your time and add a few extra steps to the normal loading process. Since I believe there is a bit of a tinkerer in every shooter that reloads, this would prove to be an interesting exercise for all of us to work on to improve the existing processes.

Ok, here we go…

Tags ammo, Ammunition, reload steel case ammo, reloading, reloading steel cases, steel case, surplus

news

Taurus M380 Revolver Spring Swap Video

Post author By Richard Johnson
Post date February 11, 2013

If you are looking to lighten the trigger pull on your Taurus M380 (or Taurus M85 series for that matter) immediately click over to Pocket Guns & Gear and watch Bruce’s video showing you how to swap out the trigger return and hammer springs.

Bruce uses a Wolff spring kit to replace the factory Taurus springs. With the factory springs, the M380 had a trigger pull weight of more than 12 pounds (the maximum his gauge could measure.) Once he got the new springs installed, the weight was reduced to about 9 pounds 10 ounces. He described the the lighter feel as “a huge difference.” I don’t doubt it.

Tags review, revolver, Taurus

Handguns

TriStar Pistols

TriStar Arms added a number of new personal defense and target shooting handguns for 2013. I am not terribly familiar with the TriStar line of firearms, but according to the company, they only recently got into the handgun market when they introduced their first pistols in 2012.

The new TriStar pistols are chambered in 9mm and .40 S&W and come in a variety of finishes and sizes. Two of the pistols, the TP semi-auto handguns, are polymer framed guns. The other pistols are traditional metal framed handguns.

Tags 2013 SHOT Show, new guns, pistol, SHOT Show, TriStar

Rifles

SIG M400 Varminter

The SIG M400 Varminter is a new hunting rifle using the AR15/modern sporting rifle platform. Designed for precision, long range taking of varmints, this M400 is chambered in 5.56 and has a variety of options and features that will be appreciated by many hunters.

First off, the M400 Varminter uses a 22″ match grade, heavy barrel. The fluted barrel is stainless steel and has a 1:9″ twist, which is fine for stabilizing lighter weight bullets frequently used for varmints. While a 1:8″ twist is better for heavier bullets, it is literally fast enough to spin apart some lightweight, compressed metal bullets.

Tags 2013 SHOT Show, 5.56 NATO, M400, rifle, SHOT Show, Sig Sauer