Program Guide #85
May is here and with it comes May Day, Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day and the Indy 500 (More importantly, it is the month of the 25th Annual Chavez/Landis Clans Ground Squirrel Shoot and Bunny Blast! Woo Hoo! – Ed.) May is literally packed with celebrations and what better way to celebrate the month of May than with another great issue of GunTech! It seems that most folks just can’t get enough of the famous (and infamous) AR-15 so Gene checks out another one that is an AR of a different sort. Jack checks in with Ron Norton, president of Chiappa Firearms to take a detailed look at the three guns they shot last month. Gene Shuey gets you in sharp focus with his “Tip from the Workbench” and Jack has some great products for your tactical rifles and pistols.
But that’s certainly not all we have for you this month. We have the first installment of a NEW segment: “In the War Room” with AGI instructor/historian John Bush. Even if you know something about military hardware and history you will be pleasantly surprised with what John will show you. We also have another “Firearm Evaluation” and your “Disassembly/Reassembly Course” for the month. So, fluff up the cushions on Mom’s favorite lounging chair, make her favorite beverage and enjoy watching the May issue of GunTech with her!
Take the “glitz” out of your guns
Remember the last time you came back from the range and used your favorite cleaner/degreaser to clean the dust and grime off of the matte finish on your favorite tactical rifle or pistol only to see it turn shiny! “NOOO!” you say. “What happened to the “matte” part of my tactical finish?” Well now, Jack reviews and demonstrates a product designed to solve that problem. It’s from the folks at Flitz. Jack mentions their name as though we’ve all heard of them before but if you haven’t, you’re not alone, a couple of us hadn’t either.
Just the Fax Gene!
“Faxon Firearms” that is! Gene had never heard of Faxon Firearms before because Faxon has been professionally machining “other people’s products” for over 35 years. They have now opened a firearms division and released an AR-15 variant that is, well . . . revolutionary. If you install their upper on your lower you can have your very own . . . wait for it . . . FOLDING STOCK! That’s right, that pesky recoil-spring tube simply is NOT there! But that is only the beginning of the many innovations they have incorporated into their design. How about changing barrels in under 2 minutes ANYWHERE with no vise and no big tools!
Chiappa Firearms
Last month Gene, Jacob and Lenée tried out the new “Triple Threat” shotgun, “MC-27” 9mm pistol and “Little Badger” .22 rifle (you may remember Gene’s one-handed test-fire of the shotgun that almost got away from him!). Well, this month Jack checks in with Ron Norton, the president of Chiappa to take a closer look at each of the three new guns and we get a chance to see all the features and details of each.
Tips from the Workbench
Master pistolsmith, riflesmith, competitive shooter, and craftsman par excellence Gene Shuey offers another insightful workbench tip. This month he is sharpening your focus on the issue of being able to properly SEE what you are working on by discussing magnifying visors. What are the most important features? Why? Rest assured Gene will give you a clear vision of why investing in the right visor is critical to the quality of your work AND your life.
Product Review
Jack “mounts” an all-out effort to give you some affordable options for high-quality scope mounts. These mounts are from AIM Sports and Blackhawk, two companies with stellar reputations for innovative quality products. Jack shows you two different styles of tactical-style scope mounts that will hold your glass safely and with style.
NEW SEGMENT! – In the War Room
“The War Room” is presented by AGI instructor John Bush. John has a legendary background in the history and importation of all things military (including guns of course!) His knowledge of the parts, pieces and revisions of firearms and other military equipment is so detailed and comprehensive it’s downright scary!
Whether it’s mundane, rare, quirky, or collectible he not only knows about the item itself, he also knows about the history behind the item from design to when, who, how, and where it was used. As he showcases each item he will fill you in on the stories about everything from the design process to the deployment history. In this issue we introduce you to the “warehouse,” the Dealer Showroom team, and give you a taste of just a few of the different items that John will be focusing on in future issues.
In one future issue he will even let you know the real reason the Reising submachine gun was dropped by the Marines during WWII. When Gene showcased it in a previous issue of “Gene’s Gun Locker” he mentioned the commonly held belief that the gun didn’t function reliably in the sandy environment of the Pacific islands but John knows differently… like we said before, he REALLY knows his stuff!
Tool of the Month
This month’s pick for Jack’s “Tool of the Month” is the “Rapid Rod,” a collapsible, full-length cleaning rod that can be rapidly deployed when needed but is compact enough to carry with you on your hunts. Jack not only demonstrates the rod, he also reveals a personal “oh crap” moment it could have saved him from when every moment counted (and there were witnesses!)
Firearm Evaluation
In March we showed you how to disassemble and reassemble the new Ruger SR-556 rifle, now we test its mettle in one of our thorough evaluations at the bench and the range. Bob and Ken give it a VERY thorough going over since there are a myriad of AR-15 clones out there and more than a few with piston-drive gas systems. How will Ruger’s entry stack up with the competition? Their reputation for rifle building is sort of hit and miss so it will be interesting to see where this one lands. Then it’s off to the range where Gene Kelly stretches it out to test its accuracy after your fellow GCA members have run hundreds of rounds through it (without cleaning it first!).
Disassembly/Reassembly Course
This month we have another FIRST! No matter where you look, you won’t find anyone else with a Disassembly/Reassembly Course on the new SR-22 pistol from Ruger. Ken takes you through this .22 caliber cousin to the SR-9 with great aplomb. He studies these guns ahead of time so that he can guide you through the puzzle of disassembly in the most effective manner. He wants it to be as easy and straightforward as it can be so you can steer clear of any pitfalls there may be along the way.
Remember, the AGI philosophy is to teach you firearm SYSTEMS. Once you understand how the systems work, you will be able to study a new firearm and understand it. That is why these Disassembly/Reassembly Courses are so important. They introduce you to new designs and techniques for accomplishing the same tasks: feeding, lock-up, firing, extraction, ejection and safeties.
Whether it’s a rare and unusual design from the past that you don’t see every day or a brand new gun using modern manufacturing materials and techniques, there is ALWAYS something you can learn that deepens your overall understanding of firearms when you’re watching your Disassembly/Reassembly Course each month . . . in GunTech!
