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European rifle makers resurgent

Posted on February 8, 2018 by laststandonzombieisland Leave a comment

One of the interesting things I came across in my travels around SHOT Show last month was that some classic Central European arms makers are still in the business of making classic European arms.

Over at Mauser’s booth, besides offerings in their classic M98 line for $10K+ safari rifles (!) there was the new M18, a $699 bolt-action billed as the “People’s rifle” (Volkswaffe) or “People’s repeater” (Volksrepetierer) by the German rifle maker. It’s a pretty sweet design, complete with a detachable mag, hidden cleaning kit in the butt (hey, it’s a Mauser) and a wide offering of calibers.

More about that over in my column at Guns.com

As for Steyr, which of course continues to market modern polymer framed pistols, precision rifles to include the giant HS-50 and their iconic AUG line of bullpups, they are bringing back the Zephyr. Now I had a chance to get my hands on a Zephyr .22 that belonged to my great-uncle as a kid and absolutely loved it. The reboot includes a traditional Bavarian cheek piece and fish scale checkering on a walnut stock, and an action so smooth it will make you cry.

Ruger’s Wolf (ammo) eater

Posted on September 4, 2017 by laststandonzombieisland Leave a comment

So Ruger just introduced their new American Rifle Ranch model, a bolt-action 7.62x39mm– because what is more American than that, right?! The lightweight (~6lb) rifle has a free-floating 16.10″ medium-contour, cold hammer-forged barrel with a 5/8″-24 threaded muzzle for cans and devices.

It takes Ruger Mini-30 mags, which is nice but would have been nicer if it took AK mags. Still, expect it to run in local stores by this fall at around the $550ish mark, comparing nicely to the CZ 527 carbine, which is roughly the same concept but with a walnut stock and slightly longer barrel but costs more like $700.

And best yet, it chews through Wolf import ammo.

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