Vortex Defender XL Red Dot

August 10, 2024Optics, Product reviewdefender, defender XL, Red dot, Vortex, vortex opticscoldboremiracle

Introduction

It would be hard to discuss the US sport optics market without bringing up Vortex Optics. Offering innovative products that consumers want at a price that they can afford has made the company one of the biggest names in the US shooting market. Everything from binoculars to spotting scopes and optical sights are all part of the Vortex product line. And today I am going to share yet another one of my experiences with a new Vortex product; today I bring you the Vortex Defender XL red dot.

I’ve got quite a collection of Vortex Optics, I’ve shot through plenty of their rifle scopes over the years. But it doesn’t end there, Fury Binoculars have accompanied me on many hunts, and more recently I was introduced to the Defender line of red dot sights. Having more recently become a bit of a red dot junkie, it was only a matter of time before another Defender would join my stable.

The Vortex Defender XL

the little brother of the Defender XL, the **Defender CCW**

I had already had an experience with the compact sized Defender, you can see more about that in this article about the Taurus Defender revolver. After my experience with that model, I felt confident that its extra large sibling would also fit well into my red dot needs. Most of which revolve around short range firearms like carbines and handguns, and in this case shotguns as well.

Specifications

Magnification	1x
Reticle	5 MOA Dot
Adjustment Graduation	1 MOA
Parallax Setting	Parallax Free
Max Windage Adjustment	115 MOA
Max Elevation Adjustment	120 MOA
Dot Color	Bright Red
Battery Runtime	25,000 Hours
Mounting Footprint	DeltaPoint® Pro
Mount Type	Picatinny
Eye Relief	Unlimited
Length	2.03″
Weight	1.93 oz.

Vortex Optics Defender XL red dot — What comes in the box

I was excited to receive the small box when it showed up. And just like the previous Defender red dot I’d received, this one came with lots of extras. The Defender came with a picatinny rail mount attached, something I would use later. But it also comes with a plethora of screw options that give you incredible flexibility on what you can mount your Defender to. Different thread-pitch screws, different lengths and such have allowed me to mount the Defender to a variety of pistols and other firearms without needing anything that didn’t come in the box. It also came with a Glock MOS optics plate allowing easy mounting to your Glock pistol.

Additionally, Vortex went above and beyond to have some very nice little red dot wrenches made, that are much better for adjusting the tiny turret screw to zero. Not to mention making it easy to mount and dismount the red dot. They even threw in some blue loctite. There is also a little rubber hood to go over the Defender when not in use to keep it clean and safe.

The Defender XL uses a 5 MOA dot inside a really good sized window. I used to think some of these red dot windows were too big, but I’ve since learned to love them. The broad lens gives you a better view of the target, making it easier to find the dot and center on target. Additionally the XL shares the rugged texture around the frame that the whole Defender family has, incase you need to snag some stuff.

The Defender XL also uses Vortex’s smart electronic system. So smart it continues to evade my understanding. You can configure the unit to power-up with motion, or have it turn on only with button operation. You can also lockout the buttons to avoid inadvertent adjustments. There are 10 different brightness settings and 2 for night vision.

Shooting with the Vortex Defender XL

To get a good start with this new Defender, I wanted to mount it to my Shadow Systems DR920. A pistol I am very familiar with, and also constantly changing out red dots on. The Defender dropped right into place, and I snugged it down with the provided screws. It was easy to adjust the turrets to get the dot to co-witness with my sights, which would have to do till we got to the range. After some slight adjustments the dot was right on point of aim.

I did a lot of my traditional shooting, drawing from holster and under time shooting various targets. The big window and big dot made it pretty easy to find my target and paint it red. I messed with the various brightness settings to find what looked best. Too bright a dot tends to cause blooming of the reticle, something I’ve heard others complain about. Carrying the gun over the past few weeks with the Defender XL in place has given me countless opportunities to draw and present the pistol looking through the Defender. I am quite happy with its performance as a pistol sight, though I really wish they made a circle dot reticle option.

Shotgun time

I’m not a huge shotgunner, and have never had reason to add a red dot to my shotguns. But today was an exception, because I was shooting the Panzer Arms M4 defensive shotgun. A weapon as ideal for a red dot as any other in my opinion.

I mounted the Defender XL using the provided picatinny rail mount that came with it, and after re-zeroing the dot we were once again in business. I really liked using the Defender as a shotgun sight, shooting at grounded targets and from barricades was quite fun practice. I think the only thing I would have changed would have been a slightly shorter picatinny mount, to get a better cheek-weld.

Using the large window of the XL made it again easy to find my targets, it only slightly obscured my overall view. But I did find it much easier than trying to line up the ghost ring sights under pressure.

Pros and Cons

I’ve mentioned already how I like the large window of the Defender XL, and the provided mounting solutions. Another thing I like about the Defender XL is the battery replacement design. Though a little more complex than others, it is easy to quickly swap out the battery without removing the unit from your firearm. This is ideal for not loosing your zero. The battery hatch is opened by pushing in a recessed detent, while pushing down the battery cover. Once the release button is depressed, the battery hatch opens and you can swap the CR2032 cell out.

The bright reticle works well in nearly any lighting situation, and the programmable operation is very nice once you figure it out. All in all its a very good weapon sight in my opinion.

I guess if I must say something against the Defender XL, it would probably be the reticle options. I think Vortex missed a great opportunity to offer a circle-dot reticle in this optic that will likely be used by competitive shooters. This seems like one of the only downsides to the Defender XL, but I doubt it will be that way for long. I will be putting it up head to head with my Holosun 507 Comp to compare the two, watch for that to come out later this year.

Final Thoughts on the Defender XL

It came as no surprise that I liked the Defender XL red dot. Vortex does a great job at listening to customers and innovating products to match. Its semi-permanent home will probably be on my DR920, a pistol I probably use more than any other. Aside from the couple drawbacks I’ve mentioned I think the Defender XL is a fantastic red dot that brings a lot of added value. The extras are nice, the performance has been flawless, and its nice to buy from a company who knows where their bread is buttered. I’ll keep running the Defender red dots, and look forward to seeing what the next neat little thing Vortex Optics brings to market.

-CBM

Maven Optics CS 1A 15-45 Spotting Scope

August 8, 2024Optics, Product reviewmaven, maven optics, spotter, spotting scopecoldboremiracle

Preface

A very common topic we cover here is the rapidly progressing sport optics market. With enumerable new product lines and releases, its hard to keep up. One of the names that continues to pop up in this sphere is Maven Optics. I’ve had the opportunity to use at least one of their products in the past, one of their RS rifles scopes. Today we are looking at one of their CS Spotting scopes, the Maven CS 1A spotting scope. This compact spotter has a 15 to 45X zoom and a 65mm objective lens.

As an avid looker at things, I was excited to see how this little scope compares to others. The compact size made it ideal to bring along on hikes and deep woods hunting trips.

The Maven CS 1A Spotting Scope

Specifications

Magnification Range	15x-45x
Obj. lens diameter	65mm
Exit pupil	4.3mm / 1.4mm
Field of View (FOV)	3.3° / 1.5°
Apparent FOV (FOV x Power)	50° / 70°
Field of view (ft/1000 yds)	174ft /81ft
Brightness	18.5 / 2.0
Twilight factor	31 / 54
Multi Position Eyecups Y/N	Yes
Eye relief	16mm – 19mm
Eye piece construction	5 group 8 element
Near focus	12ft
Dimension WxHxD	11.4×5.6×3.1
Weight	40.4 oz
Prisms type	Schmidt-Pechan
Prism reflective coating type	Fully multi-coated
Phase correction coating	Yes
Lens coating	Fully multi-coated
Pressure tested to what pressure	1m for 30min. (IPX7)
Storage temperature	-40°~158°F
Functional temperature	-13°~140°F
Frame material	Magnesium / Aluminum
Internal gas purged	Nitrogen
Objective filter thread	No
Focus system	Standard
Lens type	ED
Origin	China

Field Use with the Maven CS

My plans for this little scope were to bring it along on some of my scouting trips. It easily fits into a day pack, and is much lighter than my bigger spotting scope. After attaching a tripod foot to the scope, we hiked into the freshly stormed Rocky Mountains.

Maven’ s CS scope comes with rubber scope covers that are friction fit. As well as a cinch-closed soft cover that helps protect it. Using the two covers together is necessary, as the caps wont stay on in your backpack. But when used in conjunction with the soft case everything stays put.

After hiking into a position high into the cloudy canyons, we sat down to do some glassing. I mounted the scope to my tripod and set it up so I could do some looking. One of the first things I noticed about the scope was its convenient controls.

Focus is adjusted using the large barrel around the center of the scope body. It was smooth and easy to get a clear image while maintaining control of the scope. Also in the traditional position, the magnification is adjusted just below the eye piece.

The body of the scope also rotates on its mounting foot. There is a small thumbwheel you can loosen to release the scope, and rotate it for better spotting angles. This is very handy for those long days of spotting, where you can adjust the scope to match your posture for maximum comfort.

Spotting

Using the CS at it’s low setting of 15X made it very easy to get onto a specific target. Zooming in to 45X brought more detail to the image. I did find that like most every other optic I’ve used, higher magnification also reduces brightness. I’ve also noticed that many optics often loose some of their sharpness at max power. Maven’s CS was not immune to this phenomenon.

That said, I still found it very useful for looking at animals from a mile or two away. The strong point of this little scope for sure is its compact size. While it may not have the high magnification of other larger scopes, I feel that the 45X is plenty for field use. If I am sitting next to my truck glassing up a canyon, I might use my other spotting scope options. But if I am hiking up that canyon, I would for sure take the little Maven CS instead.

macen CS — pulling the little Maven scope from my **Badlands Backpack**

The optical clarity at 45X is good for a scope at this price point, I find it more than adequate enough for determining deer values within a thousand or two yards. I will also say that I wish there was just a touch better image at max power. But even at 30X it is significantly better than scopes and binocular options. I rarely use optics at their maximum setting when trying to get the best detail. Instead I use them at 80-95% of maximum zoom, they seem to be clearer there.

Pros and Cons

With a soft rubberized exterior, the Maven CS is easy to grab one-handed and endure the rugged use of the backcountry. The controls of the scope are easy and smooth to operate, whether looking through it or not. The small size and weight make it ideal for carrying into places where larger scopes would be a hinderance. And the price when compared to the market is more affordable than some of the big names. I also like the Uniform size of the eye-piece, which makes it very easy to use phone-scope adaptors to take photos and video through your spotter. Something that has become very popular nowadays.

maven spotting scope — Left: phone adaptor attached. Right: image captured in cloudy mountains approximately 700 yards away

On the downside, the Maven CS is built in China. Which has surprisingly upped their game in the optics production and quality. But to many it remains a negative aspect. And though the Maven CS is manufactured overseas, it does seem like some of their best work. Even if it doesn’t measure up to the Japanese and European produced competition.

My Recommendation

If you are looking for a compact spotter, to take with you into the dark and weathered country of the Rocky Mountains. And if you prefer to not spend thousands on a spotting scope to take with you there. But still want something you can rely on, and positively identify your quarry, this Maven CS spotting scope might be right up your alley.

I have used nicer spotting scope options, and far worse. This scope performs much better than the trash tier optics you find at sporting good stores who’d rather sell basketballs and tennis rackets. And its a step above the entry level scopes you’ll find elsewhere. Its just the kind of scope I’d want to haul through the rough and tumble country where I’d be too afraid to damage one of those expensive green spotting scopes.

I’ve been using the Maven CS spotter for a while now, it has been doing double time looking for summer marmots and big game. I’ll continue using it through hunting season, as it seems well up to the task. Don’t wander off, as I’ll update this article as I continue to build an opinion. If all this sounds like something you too could use, you might do yourself a favor by looking into the Maven Optics CS 1A spotting scope.

-CBM

Steiner T6Xi 2.5-15X56 Riflescope

August 6, 2024Optics, Product review, Uncategorized2.5-15, steiner, steiner optics, t6xicoldboremiracle

Introduction

Steiner is a very well-respected brand with deep roots in the shooting community. So it was with great anticipation that I jumped on the opportunity to check out the Steiner T6Xi 2.5-15 riflescope. I had recently reviewed this scope’s big brother the 5-30 version, so I was excited to see if the smallest member of the T6 family stood out.
I am nothing if not a long-range rifle junkie, so nerding out over another beautiful little riflescope is right up my alley. It’s been one of my pastimes for the last few decades.

Steiner T6Xi 2.5-15x56 — the T6Xi mounted on my Taurus Expedition rifle

The Steiner T6Xi

Our adventure today involves the smallest child of the T6 family, there is also a 3-18 and the aforementioned 5-30 model. With a little luck perhaps I’ll get hands on the middle model as well. But for now let’s get a good look at the 2.5-15.

The T6Xi 2.5-15 is based on a 34mm tube, which has become the popular option with long-range precision shooters. Up front you will find a 56mm objective lens to draw in as much light as possible for a bright image. The scope has a fairly squatty appearance, looking a bit short. But this is a welcome feature for many of the compact rifles that this scope will be mounted to.
And though Steiner scopes are built for rugged duty, the smaller size will also reduce weight.

At the center of the scope you will find the same basic erector assembly as the other T6Xi scopes. The T6 family has a very intuitive and genius turret system, the numbers are underneath the turret and change when going from the first turn to the second. Revealing second rotation numbers means there is never any question as to what revolution you are on.

Continue Reading Here

The high volume of motion on tactical scopes often requires some way to confirm what revolution of the turret you are on, and this design is a fantastic way to accomplish it. There is also a cunning turret lock design that prevents unwanted rotation of your turrets.

Specifications

Weight: 32 ounces
Length: 12.8 inches
Magnification Range: 2.5X – 15X
Objective Diameter: 50mm
Tube Size: 34mm
Elevation Turret Details: Exposed 34 MIL
Windage Turret Details: Exposed 30 MIL
Parallax Adjustment: 25 yards to infinity
Reticle Position: 1st
Reticle Details: SCR
Field of View: 44.5 – 8.5 feet at 100 yards
Illuminated Reticle: Yes – 4 night, 7 daytime

On the Range

With the stubby little Steiner mounted to my Taurus Expedition .308 rifle, I headed into the hills to give the combination a workout. I must start by saying that I love medium-power riflescopes. Scopes that aren’t pushing for such high magnification always seem to be so clear and bright.
I’d mounted the scope in a set of 34mm rings, and I found one thing that was just slightly irritating. Due to the small size of the T6, you don’t have a lot of wiggle room when it comes to mounting. Not a big deal, but it may require you to be very deliberate in your mounting solution.

After zeroing the scope to the rifle, I reset the turrets at zero. This is done by loosening the two screws of each turret and rotating the turret back to zero. This design keeps the turret body affixed to the erector hub, making for a robust construction.

The turret locks are quite interesting. The top of each turret has a locking ring you can turn to engage or disengage. In the locked position you can see a “locked” indicator, and when unlocked you will see an accompanying “unlocked” indicator. This feature adds to a stronger turret structure. Many turrets are lifted to unlock and pushed down to lock, but the design of the T6 seems stronger as the turrets are secured in place and not meant to move up or down.

Shooting the Steiner T6Xi

With the scope ready for action, I began picking out targets across the canyon in evening light. Many of my usual targets popped out in the yellow light. I gripped the parallax adjustment, turning slightly to better pick out my targets.

Bear Creek Arsenal Grizzly 101 9mm pistol

August 4, 2024pistols, Product review9mm, bca, bear creek arsenal, grizzly, grizzly 101coldboremiracle

Introduction

Polymer framed pistols are becoming more and more common every day. With so many options how can you tell which one to choose? Today we are going to dive into yet another new striker fired polymer framed gun so you can decide if it fits your needs. Today we are reviewing the Bear Creek Arsenal Grizzly 101 pistol, a 9mm handgun very similar to the popular Glock 17.

Specifications

Color	Black
SKU	CGP101-91917SSWC2POLY
Weight (lbs)	1.430000
Magazine Capacity	17 Round Magazine
Barrel Length	5
Twist	1:16
Barrel Finish	Stainless Steel
Material	416R Stainless Steel
Thread Pitch	Non-Threaded
Caliber	9MM
Flutes	Non-fluted
Gas System	Blow-Back

History

It would seem that BCA has made at least one attempt at a 9mm pistol before. An all metal version that looks very similar to the Grizzly 101. Perhaps that didn’t go the way they wanted it to, because I see no sign of it on their website. If I had to guess, I’d say that a polymer frame turned out to be much more profitable and perhaps easier to make.

BCA seems to catch a lot of negative attention from the public, at least if you believe what you read on social media and internet forums. I might be lucky, as the only experience I have had with BCA has been a positive one. You can read about the BCA BC-8 Huntmaster here. The Grizzly is only my second exposure to a BCA firearm, and I’m glad you can come along to see how it goes.

Features

Bear Creek Arsenal is known for manufacturing a variety of AR type rifles in assorted different calibers and configurations. The Grizzly is a departure from what BCA commonly manufactures, this could be a good or bad thing depending on your perspective.

The Grizzly is built on a polymer frame similar in size as I mentioned to the Glock 17. This is a great idea as it allows the Grizzly to use many of the Glock 17’s support products, like magazines, and other accessories.

In addition to the commonality, there are some things that set the Grizzly apart from the gun that it appears to emulate. Some cuts to the slide expose the stainless steel barrel, and the slide comes pre-cut for RMR type red dots. Something I would be sure to look into.

Some pretty standard green sights round out the top of the slide which are perfectly useful. If we turn our attention to the frame, you’ll find there is a nice texture molded into the grip. As well as some finger shelves alongside the top of the trigger guard.

No safety other than the trigger blade safety, which is fine by me. A nice undercut where the guard meets the grip makes the pistol comfortable in the hand. And the 17-round magazines are made by KCI.

Other models

The Grizzly 101 is available in a couple different options, mainly different barrel configurations. There are both threaded and unthreaded versions of the pistol. And you can select a couple different titanium nitrided colors of gold, copper and black. I’m no fortune teller, but I’d bet there are other options in the works that will also soon be available.

Bear Creek Arsenal Grizzly 101 Pistol review

Before shooting the Grizzly, I wanted to install a Trijicon RMR. It was easy enough and fit perfectly. Some red dots have a cutout to allow the use of the iron sights, the RMR sits high enough that you can almost see the iron sights but not quite. But with the RMR installed I was ready to hit the range.

I’d brought a couple boxes of ammo from Federal and AAC, and MWLP Trailforger. All were 115 grain FMJ. I started stuffing them into magazines in preparation, loading 17-rounds into the KCI magazines.

Shootability

My very first impressions of shooting the Grizzly were that it seemed a touch spicier than I expected. It’s a full size 9mm pistol, so I expected it to be fairly mild. I also noticed rather quickly that the grip seems a little more square than others. Some folks may find that preferable, but for me it felt just a touch less comfortable.

The Grizzly texture is definitely helpful in getting a good grip on the pistol. And I really like the two finger shelves above the trigger, it allows your thumbs a place to engage. The trigger feels like a striker pistol, I don’t mean that as a bad thing either, it feels just like every other similar gun I’ve used. Reloads were easy using the slide release, I often feel a great variation between different Glock type pistols. I was happy to see this one was easy to feel and press.

The Grizzly green sights were perfectly suitable, but the Trijicon RMR was more my style.

Reliability

During the course of my shooting, the closest thing to a malfunction I experienced was a failure to lock back. It seemed to follow the magazines, so I think it’s fair to put the blame there. I also used a Fab Defense 18-round magazine, which worked flawlessly. I was also able to shoot the Grizzly with a Glock magazine that also worked great.

Other than that the pistol chugged along through everything I threw at it.

Extraction and ejection were just as I’d expect, throwing spent cases clear. The controls were all smooth and never skipped a beat.

Ergonomics

I mentioned the square-ish feeling grip, which might just be my preference showing through. Other than that the gun felt very comfortable in my hand. The undercut trigger guard kept your fingers comfortable while gripping, and the angle of the grip was familiar and pointed well.

The Grizzly has a very similar profile to the Glock 17, but it wouldn’t fit proper in any of my Safariland Glock 17 holsters. So there must be enough difference to matter, though I expect it is likely due to the slide cuts.

Accuracy

Accuracy from the Grizzly was also as I expected, I guess it should come as no surprise that a Glock clone shoots like a Glock. Particularly when shooting with the RMR installed it was pretty easy to keep shots on target. At 10 yards groups would average between 2-4 inches depending on cadence and ammo. To put it bluntly, I felt just as accurate with this gun as with any other G17 styled pistol.

Value

Despite being a pretty close copy of the Glock, I was quite surprised by the low price of this pistol. But as I mentioned at the top, copies of these popular pistols are becoming more and more popular. So I shouldn’t be surprised that the cost keeps coming down.

The Grizzly is listed for $295.00 on the Bear Creek website, which is a pretty agreeable price. Obviously this pistol is priced there for a reason, and you can tell by looking at the gun that it is going to cost less than its cousins. What I mean by that is there are some features on the gun that suggest a less refined process. For example, the stainless steel barrel functions flawlessly but also appears slightly unfinished. Non-chamfered edges on the muzzle look just a tad raw for my taste. The conspicuous BEAR CREEK ARSENAL down the side is a little over the top for me as well, the logo alone should be enough. The machining and molding look good, and to be honest I’m surprised you can make any money on a gun at this price point.

I guess that means I think this gun is a good buy, and if it stands up to round count and use it probably will certainly be a good buy. Time will tell.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Very affordable
Compatible with a variety of aftermarket accessories
Optics ready for RMR footprint
Good grip texture

Cons

Inexpensive suggests cheap
Doesn’t fit my safariland holsters
Slightly unfinished look

Report Card

Shootability (B) shoots well but seems to lack some refinement

Reliability (A-) Only malfunctions seemed related to magazine

Accuracy (B) Nothing fancy, does what you need

Ergonomics (B) Feels good, but also feels sort of like a first try

Value (A) If the Grizzly stands up to use, it seems like a great value

Ammunition Preference

The Grizzly didn’t seem to show a preference for any of the ammo I shot through it. Both 115 and 124 grain loads worked great. I used Federal Premium 115 with great results as well as AAC 115 grain ammunition.

Accessory Upgrades

Because it’s already cut for it, I would highly recommend adding a red dot. I used the Trijicon RMR which cost more than the gun itself. So perhaps something a little more comparable in price would be something like the Gideon Alpha red dot. A good weapon light like the Surefire X300 pictured would also make a good companion.

Final Thoughts

After shooting with the BCA Grizzly 101 for a while now, I can say I definitely like it. I wouldn’t be trading it for any of my other pistols, but it certainly has a home in my collection. I intend on shooting it a lot more, perhaps it can be my loaner pistol. That way I can see how it stacks up over time and higher round count. Follow me to see how that goes.

-CBM

Taurus Judge Revolver

August 2, 2024pistols, Product reviewjudge, revolver, Tauruscoldboremiracle

Introduction

Taurus has made too many different handgun models to mention in their time. But their typical popular handgun is usually a close copy of something existing already in the market. In a strange turn of events, today we are discussing an original model from Taurus that has actually been copied by others in the market. The Taurus Judge is a unique revolver that shoots both .410 shotgun shells, as well as 45 colt pistol cartridges. We’ll put the Judge to work and see if it rules the shooting bench and the field.

taurus Judge revolver — the Taurus Judge with its diverse ammo selection

The Taurus Judge

Since its release over a decade ago, the Judge line of pistols has broadened significantly. With models ranging from the Raging Judge 6.5 inch magnum revolver, to the Judge Public Defender with a 2.5 inch polymer frame. Both stainless and blued models are also available, as well as the newer TORO models that are optics ready to mount your favorite red dot.

Leaving the various models aside, what makes the Taurus Judge different from other revolvers? The curious appearance of the Judge is due to the elongated cylinder used to accommodate the .410 shotgun shells. Why would you want shotgun shells in a pistol you might ask? I’ve stopped asking similar questions as I’ve aged. Some people don’t like the things I like, and that’s fine because that leaves more room for me to do what I like. Besides, this is America, and if somebody wants a palm-shotgun, that’s fine by me.

The Taurus Judge not only has the ability to shoot .410, but it also can shoot traditional pistol cartridges as long as they are 45 Colt. This hybrid ability to shoot these different ammunition types makes the pistol useful for a variety of things. Shooting moving targets is easier with shot-shells, but deep penetration is better accomplished by heavy bullets. The Judge gives you the option for both.

Continue Reading Here

Preparing Your Deer Rifles for the Season

July 30, 2024huntingdeer hunting, Riflecoldboremiracle

Preface

As deer season rapidly approaches, many of us will be dusting off the ol’ deer rifle. Others of us will simply move our deer rifle to the front of that week’s rotation. Whether you take deer season easy or deathly serious, today we are going to go over preparing your deer rifles and a few tips that will help ensure your hunting rifle is ready for the hunt.

savage impulse — make sure your rifle is ready for the hunt, this **Savage** was kitted with a bipod and Primary Arms rifle Scope

Condition

Depending on your shooting practice, you might be quite familiar with your deer rifle. But many folks only shoot them a few times a year, making them perhaps a little more foreign than their daily plinker. And those that subscribe to big magnums might shoot their rifles even less due to recoil and ammunition costs.

find the right ammunition that best works in your gun, this **Mossberg Patriot** had an appetite for **Hornady**

There could also be any number of other reasons that you or your rifle aren’t in prime condition. Now is the time to figure out what those reasons are and overcome them to ensure everything works when you need it.

Some hunts are close to home, and others can be long road trips away. The cost of some of these hunts can be high, so ensuring that you have everything you need long before is a good idea for both success and getting your money’s worth.

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deer hunting — inspect other equipment like **bipods** and **stock packs** as well

Practice is an important part of preparing your deer rifles. If possible, practice shooting your gun in comparable conditions and distances to your intended hunt. Use the ammunition you intend to shoot on your hunt. This will improve your skill and familiarity with your setup, as well as allow you to find any potential issues before the hunt starts.

deer hunting, howa mini, 6mm ARC, — Lots of practice with this **Howa Mini** put some meat in the freezer

deer hunting, remington 700 — Junior took this little buck with his seasoned Remington rifle, he’s put up a lot of venison with an **8X US Optics scope**

Bergara HMR Carbon, Lucid MLX Riflescope — This **Bergara HMR Carbon** was prepped with a **Lucid Optics scope**, and **suppressor**

Top Reasons to own a suppresor

July 25, 2024Product review, suppressorssilencer, suppressorcoldboremiracle

Preface

If you grew up watching movies where assassins and heroes alike would covertly shoot their adversary using a silencer, that might be reason enough to buy one. But today we are going to discuss other reasons to own a suppressor, or suppressor as they are more correctly called.

adding a suppressor to your favorite rifle will only make it better, this SRS M2 is my favorite

Due to the unreasonably complicated and costly process to obtain a suppressor, it isn’t something many take lightly. With any luck and some hard work that might change soon. In the meantime, I’ll go over the reasons I think you should own a suppressor.

America

First off, this is America. It pains me to know that Europeans can walk into a local gun shop and pickup a suppressor (or moderator as they call them there) and walk out without any further drama. While they can’t do the same with a firearm, it still seems unfair to me.

The right to bear arms is clear, any infringement on that right is immoral. So many of us have endured the intruding touch of the federal government in exchange for owning and using suppressors. While I hate to pay an unfair tax, I also see an incredible value with suppressors. It is with great distaste and contempt that any of us should continue buying our rights back from the government. But if we continue pushing the topic, it could eventually change.

bergara B-14 HMR carbon — this **Bergara HMR Carbon** fitted with a **GDM suppressor** makes an excellent hunting rifle

Owning NFA regulated items is one way to normalize them, and convert them into what is called common use. Making them more commonly used among the public will help turn the tide against those who want your $200.

Continue Reading Reasons to own a suppresor Here

Taurus TX 22 — pistols like this **Taurus TX22** are a blast to shoot when suppressed by the **YHM Phantom 22**

Kriss vector — the **Kriss Vector** is much more pleasant to shoot with the **SilencerCo** Osprey

Taurus TX22 TORO Pistol

July 22, 2024pistols, Product review22lr, Taurus, toro, tx22coldboremiracle

Preface

Twenty-two rimfire semi-automatic pistols have been a touchy subject for as long as I can remember. Sure, you can get something like a Ruger MK IV or a Browning Buckmark, but those are the same pistols my grandpa used. I want something more modern, something that has the handsome looks and function of modern semi-automatic pistols. Today I bring you the latest chapter in the saga of the Taurus TX 22 TORO.

Taurus TX22 TORO — the TX22 TORO kitted out with the Holosun 407k and the **YHM Phantom 22 suppressor**

I got one of the very first TX22’s years ago, and it was love at first brick for me. I have since bought four more, with the latest being this new model the TX22 TORO. The TORO model incorporates all the best features from every model prior. It has the slide cuts of the TX22 Compact, the optics cut of the TX22 Competition model. And not to be outdone, the TORO model uses a thicker heavy barrel which of course is threaded. And an impressive magazine capacity of 22 rounds.

The Taurus TX22

I mentioned I am no stranger to this pistol, but there is more to it than that. I had a bit of a sour opinion of Taurus until I met the TX22, and while there are plenty of you out there doubting me, I can tell you the TX22 is probably the best overall 22 pistol out there. At first I thought maybe I was just lucky, but the resounding echo of popularity everywhere tells me I am not the only one who enjoys my TX22’s.

Hours of fun and gun handling training have been done at our house with the TX22. All of my children are huge fans, and it never fails when we head into the mountains “did you bring the Taurus Dad?”.

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loading the TX22 magazines with **Federal Auto Match**

TX22 TORO Specifications

Caliber	22LR
Capacity	16 round and 22 round magazine included
Length	7.06 inches
Height	5.44 inches
Width	1.25 inches
Barrel Length	4.6 inches
Twist	1-10 inches
Slide Material	Aluminum
Barrel Material	Alloy Steel
Action Type	Single Action Only Striker Fired
Safety Function	Manual Ambi and Trigger Safety
Sights	Fixed Front, Driftable Rear