Sportsmans News

Great new products for 2012 the staff of Sportsman’s News saw at the 2012 shows.

Bear Anarchy

Bear Archery – Siren Bow

Designed for serious female shooters.

• Speed (IBO): 300 fps
• Weight: 3.8 lbs
• Brace height: 6.75”
• Axle to axle: 31”
• Peak draw weight: 40 lbs / 50 lbs / 60 lbs
• Draw length range: 22” to 27”
• Let-off: 75%
• Strings/cables: contra-band
• Cable slide: slide Continue Reading

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By Dan Kidder
Managing Editor

Good things come in small packages, so the adage goes. To prove that point, Springfield Armory has taken all that is great about the 1911 and shrunk it down into a subcompact that retains all of the features we love and eliminates all that we dislike about the 1911. Continue Reading

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By Dan Kidder
Managing Editor

The J Frame revolver has been a staple of Smith & Wesson for decades. These small and lightweight revolvers are easy to conceal, simple to operate, and have a proven design that has often been imitated, but never been matched.

The Smith & Wesson Pro Series offers the highest level of quality available from production guns.
The Smith & Wesson Model 642 marries the reliability and ease of carry of the J frame with the Smith & Wesson Pro Series. Continue Reading

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By Dan Kidder
Managing Editor

Since it was designated as the official pistol of the U.S. Military 100 years ago, the Model 1911 .45 ACP pistol has been often imitated, derided, discarded and ultimately vindicated. Every handgun designed in the last 100 years has had to stand beside the 1911 for examination and every one has been found wanting in comparison.

Sturm Ruger & Co. was founded in 1949 and has been making high quality firearms ever since. It only seems right that this venerable gun maker should celebrate the 100th anniversary of the most venerated pistol in history by creating their own take on it. Continue Reading

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By Dan Kidder
Managing Editor

When John Moses Browning designed the Model 1911 in 1908, for the US Army, it was called the “greatest gun in the world.” Not much has been changed on that original design in 100 years, but some fine tuning and advances in craftsmanship have resulted in some beautiful weapons. Continue Reading

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By Dan Kidder
Managing Editor

Having less recoil from your 12-gauge shotgun doesn’t only mean quicker target acquisition, it also means that you will practice with it more frequently creating greater proficiency.

Blackhawk has teamed with Knoxx Industries to create a collapsible stock that takes the abuse out of shooting your shotgun for long periods. The SpecOps Recoil Reducing Stock from Knoxx Industries, cuts felt recoil by as much as 85 percent. The five position adjustable stock offers the ability for shooters of all sizes to use the gun to which it is attached. The stock creates 11.25-15.25 inches length of pull which allows it to be used with a variety of tactical and load bearing vests, and also makes it ideal for home defense by shortening the overall profile and adapting to whoever needs to use the gun. Continue Reading

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By Dan Kidder
Managing Editor

Smith and Wesson has hit a home run with their  Military and Police (M&P) pistols. Since they were first released, they have made significant improvements on what has already been proven to be a great design.
In testing the M&P full size in .40 caliber, I found the ergonomics to be superb, the recoil to be negligible and the accuracy to be outstanding. Continue Reading

By Dan Kidder
Managing Editor

In the world of self-defense guns, no gun maker has a more famous icon who uses their product than Walther.  James Bond has used Walthers for most of his illustrious literary career. From his early days of carrying a Walther PPK, to his more mature P99, Bond has always been a fan of the German company.
This year, Walther has released a new defensive pistol worthy of Bond. The Walther PPQ incorporates the best features of a modern defensive pistol with the ease of use and quality for which Walther is known. Available in both 9 mm and .40 S&W, the PPQ has a list of features that make it a great shooter with an awesome natural point of aim. The ergonomic grip guides your hand into proper placement and features three interchangeable grip inserts to fit any sized hands. The 9 mm comes standard with two 15 round magazines (10 in California) and has the option of using a 17 round magazine.  The .40 comes with two 12 round magazines with the option of 14 rounds. Continue Reading

By Dan Kidder

Managing Editor
Typically when you think of a bodyguard, you think of a big burly dude who will pulverize anyone who tries to get their hands on you. But maybe, like Smith & Wesson, you take a more pragmatic approach. If I had a bodyguard, I would want them to blend in, to appear to not exist at all. I would want them to be more brain then brawn, but also able to handle anything that came their way. Continue Reading

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If you need to travel and want to take a pistol, you need a TSA approved pistol case and among all of the makers of such cases, SKB leads the pack. Continue Reading

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By Dan Kidder
Managing Editor

My first thought on this gun was, “this trigger and I are going to have some issues.” The trigger on the SD40 is not a true double action, and it isn’t typical for a striker fired pistol either, but something else altogether. Smith and Wesson calls it the SDT for Self Defense Trigger. It incorporates a distinct two-stage trigger into a pull that seems to go on for a week. Continue Reading

By Dan Kidder
Managing Editor

You only get issued one set of ears in life, so it is important to protect them whenever you are shooting.

As a firearms instructor, I am amazed whenever I see parents at the local range who think just because they are shooting a .22 LR they, and their kids whose spiral ganglion cells are still developing, don’t need hearing protection.

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By Dan Kidder
Managing Editor

Nationwide violent crime is down in America, with noticeable exceptions across the Southwest where violent crime is on the rise. Home invasions, a specific category of violent crime, is not tracked by the FBI Uniform Crime Reports, but just turn on the news or pick up the newspaper and you will see that more often burglars are entering occupied dwellings. Continue Reading

By Dan Kidder
Managing Editor

Two garments from 5.11 Tactical Series work together to provide unparalleled comfort, as well as a multitude of concealed carry options.

The Undergear Holster Shirt offers the performance of a Lycra sports compression shirt with the tactical advantage of a deep concealment holster. The Holster shirt offers two deep holster pockets sewn into the shirt that are large enough to carry a standard M1911 A1 and 2 spare magazines. Additionally, the shirt features special shoulder yokes that support and distribute the weight of the firearm to prevent sagging. Compression fit keeps the firearm close to the body and prevents it from flopping around during activities. Flat-Lock seams reduce friction and improve comfort. Opaque mesh over the holster pockets prevents “printing” of the gun and conceals contents while providing additional padding.

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