May 24, 2013

The biggest fixed expenses when getting into the gun game are usually firearms, then optics, or sometimes the other way around. But over the lifetime of a platform — rifle, shotgun, handgun, doesn’t matter — the biggest expense is almost always ammo. Accordingly, stories focusing on ammunition use, tuning, and suitability are favorites of the Cheaper Than Dirt! Chronicle community. Here are the most-read articles we’ve run in the Shooter’s Log that have to do with ammunition choice and performance:

  1. Shooting Steel Cased Ammunition In Your AR-15
  2. Barrel Twist in the AR-15
  3. 223 Rem vs 5.56: An Exhaustive Review
  4. .338 Lapua on the Cheap
  5. Survival Ammunition: How Much Ammo do you Really Need for SHTF?
  6. Choosing a Handgun Caliber
  7. Winchester 5.56mm M855 Product Warning and Recall Notice
  8. .300 AAC Blackout: Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick
  9. .22 Magnum Ammunition
  10. The .22 LR for Hunting and Survival

Shooting Steel Cased Ammunition In Your AR-15

1 steelCasedAmmo

 

Barrel Twist in the AR-15

2 AR15Barrel

 

223 Rem vs 5.56: An Exhaustive Review

 

3 223-vs-556-2

 

.338 Lapua on the Cheap

4 338-Lapua-Hornady

 

Survival Ammunition: How Much Ammo do you Really Need for SHTF?

5 AMM-255

 

Choosing a Handgun Caliber

6 32NAA

 

Winchester 5.56mm M855 Product Warning and Recall Notice

 

7 product-recall-ZGQ3308

 

.300 AAC Blackout: Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick

8 300blkthumb

.22 Magnum Ammunition

 

9 SW-51-large

 

The .22 LR for Hunting and Survival

10 22Viper

 

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The mission of Cheaper Than Dirt!’s blog, “The Shooter’s Log,” is to provide information—not opinions—to our customers and the shooting community. We want you, our readers, to be able to make informed decisions. The information provided here does not represent the views of Cheaper Than Dirt!

May 10, 2013

There’s a lot of experience and good common sense residing in the 1.3 million Cheaper Than Dirt! subscribers who receive the Chronicle e-newsletter, and sometimes, our readers share their wisdom in the comment section of various articles in the Shooter’s Log and in the Forums. Here are some recent comments that caught our eye because of their timeliness, technical depth, attitude, or insight. If you’ve got something to add, please jump into the comment string and expand the discussion.

Wicked Quick: AR-15 Shoot Fast! With Jerry Miculek

shoot-fast-ar

Comment (1) by mach37: I’ll say it again: emphasizing rapid-fire capabilities of the AR-15 does not create good press for the NRA or Cheaper Than Dirt!. Rapid fire is exactly what anti-gunners are claiming for “assault weapons,” likening them to machine guns. You guys need to cool it with pushing “shoot fast.”

Comment (12) by Andrew: This guy is really talented and I found this video very fun to watch. For you guys criticizing the fact that he does some rapid fire demos, if the liberals think this guy, who is basically a professional shooter/hobbyist, is going to go on a mass shooting, they are even more idiotic than I already thought they were.

Powder Attack: The Next Wave of Gun Regulation

powders

Comment (7) by Mike: Smokeless powder is not an explosive, it’s classified as a propellant. Black powder is an explosive. This bill is nothing but more hogwash coming from the Liberal side. So now the pack of bottle rockets that I buy the kids for the 4th of July will require a background check. Just another roadblock for law-abiding citizens to purchase legal items.

Springfield Armory’s XD-S 9 Wins Handgun of the Year

XDS9

Comment (8) by Dan: The only way this gun makes sense to me is if you are recoil-sensitive and can’t handle .45 ACP in such a small package. Otherwise, why choose a handgun that’s the exact same size and has the same ammunition capacity in 9mm?? Would you rather have 5+1 in .45 ACP or 5+1 in 9mm?

Comment (20) by Surly: It would be wonderful if the polymer Springfields were built in the USA. Many of us would have more respect for the brand than we already do. However, if you put the Croatia thing aside for a minute you realize that the best-selling polymer handgun in this country is also foreign-made, and Springfield has absolutely blown it out of the water. Flashback: with minor interest in the XD 45 Tactical, I wrote off the whole XD line as a Glock clone. But with the XDM, Springfield took everything that was wrong with the Glock and made it right. Most companies would have stopped there and let the money roll in, but Springfield went on to develop the perfect CC pistol: the XDS. I’ve held one and can vouch for the fact that it’s unbelievably thin for the caliber, and even someone with large hands will find it comfortable to grip. So before complaining that it isn’t made in the USA, first consider your options, then consider the design and quality of these pistols (which you can’t fully appreciate until you hold one in your hand and compare it to the competition). My only complaint is that they aren’t making them fast enough. The demand for polymer framed CC handguns in this country is insatiable, and Springfield should seriously consider opening another factory or two. I’ll own an XDS someday, it’ll be the perfect counterpart to my XDM40 (which shoots like a SA with a PRP trigger installed BTW). Have a blessed day.

Comment (33) by Dave Hammond: What Springfield really needs to do, is to convince another manufacturer to produce an AR platform in 9, .40 & .45 that accepts XD magazines. I’m sticking with my Glocks because of the offerings from Just Right Carbines.

Considerations for Concealed Carry Handguns

1911_others

Comment(29) by Bud Springer: Just as you said, “ask 10 gun store folks what is the best concealed carry gun and you will likely get 10 different answers”, the same holds for all we readers. Fat, thin, tall, short, heavy clothing, little clothing – it all matters as to what weapon size and shape works for each of us…and as some point out, seasonal changes and day -v- night place us in different carry outlooks. The perfect answer is obvious: There IS NO perfect answer. What works for you is what is best for you, although the caliber argument could go on forever.

PTR Industries to Leave Connecticut by Year End

PTR91SC

Comment (522) by HammerOfCrom: All the people who care bout the Constitution and the companies that support it or depend on it are being forced south, save the ones with big FEDERAL contracts. The country is starting to be forcibly divided along roughly northern and southern lines again, with some notable holdouts such as New Hampshire. It doesn’t seem out of the realm of possibility that there will be a fracture between states that support the Constitution, and states that want to rewrite it.

Are You Buying Guns? Tell Us Why

Comment (972) by Queendvrs: “A million armed freemen, possessed of the means of war, can never be conquered” – Andrew Jackson

New Jersey Senate Committee Passes Remaining Gun Bills

Comment (1) by horselips: The opportunities for further restrictions and abuses existing within these “common-sense reforms” is terrifying. Apparently, Governor Christie has abandoned all hope of ever receiving the GOP nomination for the presidency. I’m glad we were able to see this RINO for what he is, before it was too late.

 

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The mission of Cheaper Than Dirt!’s blog, “The Shooter’s Log,” is to provide information—not opinions—to our customers and the shooting community. We want you, our readers, to be able to make informed decisions. The information provided here does not represent the views of Cheaper Than Dirt!

May 3, 2013

by
Related Topics: AK AR-15 Customizing General    

I’m not rich, but I love black rifles. Unfortunately, this is an expensive hobby. It also means I can’t dump countless simoleons on every single AR part that comes across the market. As a result, my process for buying products usually goes something like this: first, I see someone at the range with a doohickey that I don’t have. I want it, I’m not sure why, but I want it. I go home, heat up a hot pocket, jump on the Internet, and start researching. I find a review on someone’s blog, read it and scroll down through the end of the comments section. I keep reading on every forum and review site I can find and eventually learn the widget in question is either the greatest thing since gunpowder, or a silly tacticool looking piece of junk that belongs on the clearance aisle of a gas station. If it is worth buying and I still want it after a week, I wait for a deal and jump on it. This study-before-you-buy strategy works well for me, but it drives my wife nuts.

UTG PRO Line is Made is the U.S.A.

UTG PRO Line is Made is the U.S.A.

Recently, I was building a decent quality AR for a friend of mine. When I asked him about the rail system, he said he wanted a UTG PRO. I chuckled and replied with a slightly condescending tone that he didn’t want that. The gun snob in me sometimes rears its ugly head. I was under the impression that UTG and Leapers stuff was fine for value rifles, .22 LR conversions, and Airsoft, but not intended for serious use. He told me to keep an open mind and look it up. I decided to apply my usual research to find out more.

In 2009, Leapers Inc. started making their UTG PRO line right here in the U.S.A. This is a surprise to some, since many think all their stuff comes from Asia. It doesn’t stop at AR rail systems either. They make AK rails, Saiga 12 rails, Mil-spec collapsible stocks, buffer tubes in both mil and commercial spec—these guys do it all. For their rails, they use solid aircraft aluminum components which are also hard anodized. Decent stuff, especially if you’re as tough on your gear like I am.

Saiga UTG PRO Rail

Saiga UTG PRO Rail

For the average range gun, you really can’t beat the price. All the rails I’ve swapped out fit perfectly on my mil-spec uppers. They are rock solid and get the job done. When attaching them, especially after applying a little Loctite, there is no rattle or wiggle and all my accessories fit perfectly. The Loctite isn’t really necessary, but I’m a little obsessive. Are there better quality rails available? Sure. Some companies make some ridiculously pricey high-quality stuff you could drop out of an airplane, straight into an active volcano and it would still operate as if it were new-in-the-box. However, in the price range, the UTG PRO has very little competition. There is definitely a diminished return in spending four times as much and getting the same result.

In the box, Leapers includes some rubber rail guards to protect your hands. In case this is your first rail, I have to say that rubber guards really help in preventing that cheese grater effect. No more need for keeping a box of bandages in your range bag.

If you’re the kind of shooter who likes solid quality gear and a price point regular people can reach, the UTG PRO line delivers. Check our selection and see if there is a rail that’s right for your rig. You may be a pleasantly surprised as I was.

 

Like this article? CLICK HERE to get stories like this, useful tips, and valuable resources every other weekend in your e-mail inbox.

The mission of Cheaper Than Dirt!’s blog, “The Shooter’s Log,” is to provide information—not opinions—to our customers and the shooting community. We want you, our readers, to be able to make informed decisions. The information provided here does not represent the views of Cheaper Than Dirt!

 

 

In this episode of the new Shoot Fast! series, CTD Team Shooter Jerry Miculek takes the ever-popular AR-15 out to the range to see just how fast he can shoot it.

At the front of the 38:03 video, Jerry talks about the development of the rifle, its wartime use, and cartridge design and variations.

At 3:30 in, he describes the M4 variation of the rifle.

At 4:45, he describes his personal competition rifle, a Smith & Wesson Performance Center PC-15.

At 6:15, he covers the Smith & Wesson M&P15-22.

At 10:00, he talks about the evolution of ammunition leading up to the 5.56mm NATO round.

At 17:30, he goes out to the range and tries to shoot five rounds in under a second. But because he’s a “revolver jockey,” he actually shoots six rounds.

At 20:00, he shoots a .96-second five-shot one-target run.

At 22:45, he tries to shoot three shots in one part of the target and two shots in another part in under a second. The run comes in at .98 seconds.

At 25:15, he shoots an 18-round, nine-target V-drill sequence with a POV camera. He completes the drill in 3.29 seconds.

At 29:30, he shoots the M&P15-22 on steel.

At 31:30, he shoots steel at 50 yards with his PC-15. (Note the safety warning about shooting steel targets.)

At 32:30, he takes on five frozen bottles of cheap diet drink.

At 34:00, it’s melons versus man.

At 35:15, Jerry takes on cans of corn and shaving cream. “5.56 versus can of corn, corn loses every time.”

 

Like this article? CLICK HERE to get stories like this, useful tips, and valuable resources every other weekend in your e-mail inbox.

The mission of Cheaper Than Dirt!’s blog, “The Shooter’s Log,” is to provide information—not opinions—to our customers and the shooting community. We want you, our readers, to be able to make informed decisions. The information provided here does not represent the views of Cheaper Than Dirt!

April 26, 2013

Chronicle readers clearly favor a few gun designs over others — AR-15s, AKs, and semi-auto self-defense pistols, to name the most popular. But inside those categories, individual firearms have generated intense interest all on their own. Beyond pure product announcements, here are the top-10 articles in which we’ve reviewed a single firearm make and model (and associated variations, where applicable) that the Chronicle community obviously wanted to know more about. Some of the choices surprised us:

 

  1. The Controversial KSG
  2. FN Herstal Five-seveN 5.7x28mm Pistol
  3. Our Top Selling Gun: Interstate Arms Hawk Model 982
  4. SIG Pro SP2022: The Worst Kept Sig Secret
  5. Ruger LC9 Review
  6. Improving the Sub2000
  7. The Gen 4 Glock 19
  8. Always Prepared: Takedown 308 Paratus Battle Rifle
  9. Hard to Beat a Mossberg AR-15
  10. Ruger SR40 Review: The good, the bad, and the ugly

The Controversial KSG

1 KSG12ga_RIO_8863

 

FN Herstal Five-seveN 5.7x28mm Pistol

2 FN5.7.2

 

 
Our Top Selling Gun: Interstate Arms Hawk Model 982

3 iac-982-shotgun1
SIG Pro SP2022: The Worst Kept Sig Secret

4 Sig-SP2022small
Ruger LC9 Review

5 LC9NewInBox_Med
Improving the Sub2000

6 sub2000_9598web
The Gen 4 Glock 19

7 69583a
Always Prepared: Takedown 308 Paratus Battle Rifle

8 paratus-breakdown
Hard to Beat a Mossberg AR-15

9 moss5
Ruger SR40 Review: The good, the bad, and the ugly

10 SR40 3476

 

Like this article? CLICK HERE to get stories like this, useful tips, and valuable resources every other weekend in your e-mail inbox.

The mission of Cheaper Than Dirt!’s blog, “The Shooter’s Log,” is to provide information—not opinions—to our customers and the shooting community. We want you, our readers, to be able to make informed decisions. The information provided here does not represent the views of Cheaper Than Dirt!
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