Gun Digest March 2022

On the cover of this magazine, there are two Walther handguns that, in my opinion, both easily qualify for inclusion into the “high-end, high-class” category. Beyond the fantastic function, the aesthetics on each would have most gun owners wiping fingerprints off the frame and slide during every mag change. Suppose Walther cold-called you one day and offered you one of these guns—completely free with absolutely no strings attached—but you could pick only one. Which one would it be? Why? Would the firearm’s value play into your decision? Now, what if I told you that one of those guns is valued at $4,000, and the other is currently worth seven-and-a-half times that amount. Yes: That’s $30K. So, which one are you gonna choose now? If I’m being honest with myself, I don’t think I…

HISTORICAL NOTES The standard Austrian military pistol cartridge for the Steyr Model 1912 auto pistol’s case is approximately 23 millimeters long, as compared to the 9mm Luger, which is 19 millimeters. Apparently, the only other countries besides Austria to use this as a military round were Romania and Chile, which adopted both the Steyr pistol and cartridge in 1912. This cartridge is very similar to the 9mm Bergmann-Bayard, and these two are often confused. However, 9mm Steyr ammunition is usually found with a nickel-jacketed bullet. The 9mm Bayard case is slightly longer. Quantities of 9mm Steyr pistols have appeared on the United States surplus military market and, for a while, ammunition was readily available. GENERAL COMMENTS The 9mm Steyr is quite similar to the 9mm Bayard. The Astra Model 400 will sometimes handle both,…

Many believe you should rotate your carry gun based on the season or the situation. For example, during the winter months, when you typically wear one or two outer layers such as a vest and a coat, this will allow most folks to easier conceal a larger handgun. When spring comes, you’re typically still wearing a coat and the same can be said for the fall. It’s the summertime that makes concealing a large, or sometimes any, handgun harder. Often, when the weather is hot, some will transition to a smaller handgun in order to make carrying easier and more comfortable. Is that a good idea? It could be argued that carrying different handguns at different times isn’t a good idea because when you need to employ that handgun the action needs…

Handling an AR-15 lower—while also assembling it, tightening something or just making it behave—can be a hassle. Midwest Industries (MI) has a solution, and their lower receiver block serves you in two ways. First, you can simply slap the block down on your workbench and fit the receiver into it, nestled in place. It’ll stay put while you install the hammer and trigger pins and the trigger guard, even making it stay put while you hand-screw the buff er tube in place. (You’ll need more than the MI block to do the torquing and staking.) While you’re doing this, the smaller section of the MI block has a recessed tray, where you can put the small parts you’ll need. No worries about them rolling off the bench or getting bumped by an…

Sometimes, an innovator will get a product right the first time—and I’d cite the .30-06 Springfield cartridge, the Fender Telecaster guitar and Mauser’s Model 98 bolt-action rifle. Other times, the tools and gear we use have evolved to the point that you might often look back and wonder how we used such archaic gear with any success at all. Riflescopes are a great example of this: I looked through one of my father’s ¾-inch tube rimfire scopes the other day and felt like my vision was plagued by cataracts. I can only imagine the difficulty picking out a squirrel’s head in the top of an oak tree, especially in comparison to the 1-4x20mm that rides atop my Ruger 77/22 today. I feel that reloading gear sits in between those two extremes. In…

01 Ruger Birdshead Wrangler Revolvers No collection is truly complete without a Single Action Army revolver of some sort. Ruger makes this classic style of pistol all the more affordable and shootable with the introduction of its Birdshead Wrangler. Compact and able to work with the revolver’s recoil, the style of grip picks up the .22 LR’s pace in skilled hands and cuts down on its profile. The aluminum-framed Wrangler is among the lightest weight option in its class, making the single-action an ideal companion for the woods. And its 3.75-inch barrel makes it quick out of leather and into the action. MSRP: $269 02 SnapSafe GlideVault An often-overlooked aspect of custom or collectible firearms is where to store them. SnapSafe’s newest addition not only offers a secure method of keeping your gems under…