Like Breda, I’ve been slacking when it comes to gunblogging. Aside from the high price and general unavailability of ammo, I’ve had to dial back my shooting budget to $0 due to a near-layoff from work (I still have a job… for a whopping one day a week).
I will be in Phoenix for the NRA Convention and Second Amendment Blog Bash, though, and I’m exited by today’s Shooting Wire piece about new product announcements at the convention. Traditionally, new guns are unveiled at the SHOT show, the big industry-only shindig held each January. The NRA show typically doesn’t have much in the way of new stuff, but does offer the opportunity for consumers to play with new gear that hasn’t made it into production yet.
Since I’m a techie and gear-whore, I’ll be spending most of my time wandering the show floor, looking for new stuff and haranguing various sales reps. Already on the agenda:
- I’ll be pestering Ruger to bring out more No. 1s in Nitro Express chamberings and start making high-caps for the Mini-14 in 6.8 (the latter much more likely than the former, I admit).
- Of course, I have to let Smith & Wesson know that I ordered a no-lock 642 the day I learned of their existence, but still won’t give them a nickel for a gun with an internal lock. Sure would be nice to have a Night Guard 396, if only they’d build one without that extra hole in the frame…
- And I’m sure I’ll spend an unseemly amount of time at CZ‘s booth, drooling over their big-bore bolt guns (yes, I do TOO need a .500 Jeffrey), but I’ll also see what they have to say about a civvie version of the S805 rifle.
If any readers want me to check out anything in particular, I can be bribed would be happy to do so. Leave a comment here.
Damn, planning ahead. You’re losing slacker cred there.
Before Ruger starts cranking out high caps for the Mini-14, it would help if they made Mini-14s that actually work.
Ruger had to be practically dragged kicking and screaming in order to do Hicaps for the .223 Mini14. The odds are better that you’ll win the lottery before they make ‘em for 6.8 versions.
As Nitro #1s, if they had a lick of sense, they’d do one in 470 Nitro. Also, do a bunch in “antiquated” cartridges, like 300H&H, .303, 6.5x57R, etc. Let’s face it, the appeal of the #1 is that it’s design concept from a bygone era. using sporting cartridges from that era only adds to the appeal.
The .500 is an awesome caliber, I have a a 1914 action destined to be one. The SC 550 is a nice gun, but not cheap – MSRP is something like 3 grand, but considering what it costs each time it goes “boom”, it’s not terribly surprising. Personally, I’d go for a .458 Lott before the .500, simply because they’re similar energy levels in most loadings(There are some real hefty loads for the 500 that do exceed 8000 ft/lbs though), brass is cheap(Hornady for headstamped brass), bullets are cheap(for plinking, Rem has this nice 400 grn soft point that they’ll sell by the thousand), and guns are very affordable – you can even make one by buying a used 458 Win Mag, and renting a reamer.
While you’re busting Ruger’s balls,. thell them to make a Redhawk chambered for the .30 Carbine round with moon clips. The Blackhawk’s nice, but you can’t shoot hot rounds through them.
Yes, please push Ruger on hi-cap mags for 6.8 Mini 14! I have recently purchased .223 20 and 30 round mags directly from them. I think their attitude towards hi cap mags & “assault style” weapons has changed.
What do you think their big surprise is? We’ll find out Friday.
Isaac
Check out the new gun from Ruger and let us know what you think. Nobody knows what it is yet.