Tag Archives: shooting sports

The Many Colors of…Celik?

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While wandering around the IWA Outdoor Classic Show in Germany recently, we came across a company making Hi-Power clones and had to find out more.

Celik Arms, located in Beyşehir, Turkey, has been in the gun business since 2005 and makes pistols, rifles, and shotguns, with most of its production headed to the U.S. under a variety of importer’s banners. Odds are, you have probably seen them already and may already have one or two in the gun safe.

One of the company’s newest lines is the FP-14, which is a decent-looking BHP clone in several variants.

They look to be fairly straight-up Mark III-style clones with ambi safety levers, external extractors, and ring-style hammers, but all the models we tested did not have that gun’s dreaded magazine safety.

Further, talking to the reps at the Celik booth, they have just signed a deal with a Nevada-based importer to start shipping the FP-14 to America, so you can be sure to see these in our neck of the woods starting in the next few months.

When FN/Browning closed the O.G. Hi-Power line in 2018, the pang of regret from the gun community was real enough for Springfield Armory, EAA, and SDS Imports to all start rolling their own or having them made in Turkey.

Have we reached max BHP cloneage? Only time will tell, but signs point to “no.”

A Peek at the Creapeiron Elysien Hatchery

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One of the more head-turning debuts I saw at the recent IWA Outdoor Classics show in Germany recently came from a new Czech gunmaker who has a story eight years in the making.

We caught up with inventor and gunmaker Jan Lysak, who spent almost a decade of blood, sweat, and tears crafting something a bit different. Lysak’s company, Brno-based Creapeiron, introduced its first product at IWA: the Elysien pistol.

The Elysien looks very Laugo Alien and CZ75-ish from the get-go, sharing an extremely low bore axis, grip angle, and internal slide rails with those two pistols. Lysak admits the design borrows from the CZ75, a traditional Czech design, but stresses he had his gun under development before the Alien was released.

Like many classic handgun designs, the Elysien uses the so-called geometrical “Golden ratio/Golden section” in length and height to produce an aesthetically pleasing firearm offering a natural point of aim. (All photos: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

Going past the basics, the Elysien uses a hammer-forged heavy barrel with a triangular profile inside a ported slide that allows a better lockup.

Added to this is extensive use of magnets including both in the trigger regulator and screwless grip panels. When it comes to sights and optics, the pistol uses what the company calls the System Miridel, which includes the ability to use custom-made iron sights, a direct mount RMSc footprint MRD on the slide, or a fixed RMR/RMSc platform that stands independent of the slide.

More, including a 10-minute interview with Lysak, in my column at Guns.com.

Lt. Col. Lones W. Wigger’s Legacy

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As I reported at the time, retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and one of the greatest competitive rifle shooters in history, Lones W. Wigger, Jr., passed away in 2017 at his home in Colorado.

Wigger, born in Great Falls, Montana in 1937, was three-time All-American with the Montana State University rifle program and from there entered the Army, serving with the storied Army Marksmanship Unit for 20 years. Besides taking a break to run the 23rd Infantry Division’s sniper school in Vietnam, he was on the U.S. Olympic shooting team five times between 1964 and 1980, winning two golds and a silver.

As noted by USA Shooting in early 2017 when they announced an endowment and legacy project in Wigger’s honor, he was also a “24-time World Champion, 33-time world-record holder, and 91-time National Champion” and the organization recently renamed their headquarters the Lones Wigger Legacy Hall & Shooting Center.

Speaking of the endowment and legacy, many of his rifles and other firearms are for sale in auctions to benifit shooting sports.

Check this out via USA Shooting:

Firearms belonging to Olympic shooting legend Lones Wigger will be auctioned on GunBroker.com March 6-20, to benefit Youth shooting programs. The family of Lones Wigger has generously donated over 30 firearms and shooting memorabilia belonging to Lones, with proceeds directed to the Lones Wigger Youth Program Endowment with MidwayUSA Foundation. A certificate of authenticity signed by Deena Wigger-McDorman, Lones’ daughter, and Matt Suggs, CEO, USA Shooting, is included with each auction item.

Remington Model 720 .30-06, U.S. Navy presentation

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/924377199

 

Remington Model 720 .30-06 Secretary of the Navy presentation trophy rifle. One of approximately 1,000 rifles made circa 1942 and subsequently acquired by the U.S. Navy to be used as presentation rifles, serial 41794 was awarded to the High Navy Rifle Marksman at the National Matches in 1973. Features include a 22-inch barrel, banded front sight topped by a brass-beaded blade, dovetailed rear sight, walnut stock with double-bordered checkering, steel butt plate and a leather sling.
MARKINGS: Crossed cannon and inspector mark “FJA” appears on the left butt and is tack sharp. The bolt serial matches that of the receiver. The floorplate is engraved “SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TROPHY HIGH NAVY RIFLE MARKSMAN NATIONAL MATCHES 1973”. This marking is filled in white and is both bright and sharp. DIMENSIONS: Weight is 8.0 pounds and the length-of-pull is 13.5 inches.
CONDITION: The bore is strong and bright. Metal finish is a superb rust blue showing at approximately 98 percent. Wood finish is approximately 95 percent.
INCLUSION: A towel from the Tokyo 1964 Olympics is included.

Remington 720 .30-06, U.S. Marine shooting trophy

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/924377712

Remington Model 720 .30-06 Secretary of the Navy presentation trophy rifle. One of approximately 1,000 rifles made circa 1942 and subsequently acquired by the U.S. Navy to be used as presentation rifles, serial 41629 was awarded to the High Marine Shooter at the 1981 National Rifle Championship. Features include a 22-inch barrel, banded front sight topped by a brass-beaded blade, dovetailed rear sight, walnut stock with double-bordered checkering, steel butt plate and a leather sling.
MARKINGS: Crossed cannon and inspector mark “FJA” appears on the left butt and is tack sharp. The bolt serial matches that of the receiver. The floorplate is engraved “SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TROPHY HIGH MARINE SHOOTER 1981 NATIONAL RIFLE CHAMPIONSHIP”. This marking is filled in white and is both bright and sharp.
DIMENSIONS: Weight is 8.0 pounds and the length-of-pull is 13.5 inches. CONDITION: The bore is strong and bright. Metal finish is a superb rust blue showing at approximately 97 percent. Wood finish is approximately 95 percent.
INCLUSIONS: A red/white/blue “USA” cap and Wigger’s inventory card are present.

Mauser 66S 7mm Rem. Magnum, presentation rifle

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/924379031

Mauser Model 66S 7mm Remington Magnum. Serial SG43770 was presented to the 1981 300 Meter Rifle Champion and is also marked “WGI Phoenix Arizona”. The 26-inch barrel is topped by a hooded front sight with brass blade and a track-mounted Williams adjustable rear sight. Given the bolt design, the front (objective) of a scope would also secure to this track via a special mount (not included) while the rear mount would conventionally attach to the drilled/tapped front ring of the action. Additional features include set triggers and an integral magazine. The walnut stock is dressed up with an oil finish, skip-line checkering, rosewood forend tip, rosewood grip cap (with inlay), sling loops and a soft Monte Carlo comb with Bavarian cheek rest.
DIMENSIONS: Weight is 8.2 pounds and the length-of-pull is 15.25 inched from the forward (conventional) trigger.
CONDITION: The bore is strong and bright. Metal and wood finishes are approximately 98 percent.
INCLUSION: A USA Olympic Team cap is included.

Remington 700 7mm-08 Rem., presentation rifle

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/924379320

Remington Model 700 BDL 7mm-08 Remington. Almost certainly made in the Remington Custom Shop (given the exceptional wood quality and the inlaid plaque), serial B6319488 has a 24-inch tapering heavy barrel (.835 muzzle diameter) and scope blocks. Additional features include a jeweled bolt body, skip-line checkering and a Monte Carlo comb with cheek rest. The plaque was never engraved.
DIMENSIONS: Weight is 8.8 pounds and the length-of-pull is 13.3 inches.
CONDITION: The bore is strong and bright. Metal and stock finishes are each approximately 98 percent.
INCLUSION: A “Shoot the Moon” shooting vest with Wigger’s name and Eley patch is included. 

Mauser 98 8mm, Oberndorf, Vietnamese writing

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/924379851

Mauser Model 98 8mm. Made in Oberndorf (code byf), serial number 14086 (appears on receiver and stock, small parts differ) was originally a German rifle then likely used by the French Foreign Legion and later taken by the Vietnamese forces. Gifted to Lones Wigger at the conclusion of his second tour in Vietnam. The barrel is 24 inches long. Waffenamt “135” appears on the receiver and barrel, as do other Nazi markings across the metal parts. What appears to be Vietnamese writing appears (in paint – “Choung Thien”) on the right side of the stock and the numeral “5” is likewise marked on the right butt. CONDITION: The bore exhibits a moderate uniform roughness and is at best casually shootable. Mechanics operate properly (dry). Metal and wood finishes stand at approximately 40 percent for a military rifle.
INCLUSION: A U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit cap is packaged with this rifle.

Winchester Model 52 .22 LR, modified, cased

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/924324723

Winchester Model 52 .22 LR. Made in 1937, serial 44325C is fitted with a 27.5-inch K. Kenyon barrel (.90-inch muzzle diameter, recessed crown) wearing scope blocks. The single shot action has been modified (safety removed, bolt knob reprofiled, aperture sight mount added). The stock has been wonderfully altered to suit with a reshaped grip, added roll-over comb and an adjustable butt plate.
DIMENSIONS: Weight is 12.4 pounds and the length-of-pull is 12.9 inches.
CONDITION: Not surprisingly, the bore has minor softening of the rifling but remains viable and does not appear roughed. The unfinished barrel has a light, general freckling and roughness over its surface. The action is mechanically sound and retains approximately 40 percent of the original finish. Wood shows spectacular character with purpose-driven shaping, added roll-over comb and an adjustable butt plate. Impressions are countless and a crack extends some two inches from the toe.  
INCLUSIONS: A vintage wood travel case with outer label (tape) showing matching serial number, dispenser, Firm Grip, Sportsman’s Team Challenge score sheet and a score book (not specific to this rifle) is included. Additional accessories include a shooting coat with “Lones Wigger” embroidered on left front, U.S.A. cap with pins from Mexico, Columbia and a silhouette pig, Wigger’s U.S. Shooting Team National Team Director name badge and a U.S. Shooting Team pin-on patch.

Anschutz .222 Rem., 1965, Team jacket

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/924376910

Anschutz .222 Remington. Made in 1965, serial 516411 wears a 23.5-inch stepped barrel. Features include a dovetailed receiver (also tapped), detachable magazine and a large (winter) trigger guard. The stock has a flat-bottom forearm, thick grip, dynamic Monte Carlo comb/cheek rest and a wood butt plate. Rings (1-inch high) are included.
DIMENSIONS: Weight is 8.0 pounds and the length-of-pull is 13.5 inches.
CONDITION: The bore shows moderate roughness and wear, but appears to be viable for casual shooting or varminting. Metal finish is approximately 80 percent. Wood is approximately 85 percent.
INCLUSION: A Goretex US Shooting Team jacket embroidered with Wigger’s name and “National Director” title is included. 

Remington 700 7mm Express, Leupold 6.5-20x

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/924380894

Remington Model 700 BDL 7mm Express (.280 Remington). Serial A6696602 wears a 22-inch barrel. Features include a polished blue finish and jeweled bolt body. The BDL stock has an ebony forend tip, skip-line checkering, Monte Carlo comb, cheek rest, polymer grip cap and a polymer butt plate. OPTIC: A Leupold Vari-X III 6.5-20x scope with target knobs and dot reticle remains in very good condition with clear optics and good lens coatings.
DIMENSIONS: Weight is 8.8 pounds with optic and sling. Length-of-pull is 13.5 inches.
CONDITION: The bore is strong and bright. Trigger pull is crisp. Metal finish is approximately 80 percent. Wood is approximately 75 percent, with a goodly number of impressions and scratches.

Husqvarna .30-06, engraved, scoped

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/924380322

Husqvarna .30-06. Serial 501800 wears a 24-inch plain barrel sans provision for sights. Features include polished blue finish, push-feed action, “AR-15-type” extractor, two-position side safety, jeweled bolt body and engraved alloy floorplate and guard (inside-the-bow release). The walnut stock is accented with bordered checkering panels, rosewood forend tip and grip cap, Monte Carlo comb and a scalloped cheek rest. OPTIC: A Weaver Marksman 3-9x scope with steel tube and straight crosswire reticle. It remains clear. DIMENSIONS: Weight is 8.2 pounds and the length-of-pull is 13.85 inches.

CONDITION: The bore is strong and bright. Metal finish is at least 98 percent. Wood is approximately 95 percent with scattered impressions and light scratches. No box or papers.

Winchester 75 .22 LR, cased, great inclusions

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/924325163

Winchester Model 75 .22 LR. Made in 1938, serial number 1116 is a first-year production rifle with a 26-inch barrel topped by a block-mounted hooded aperture front sight. Features include a Lyman rear aperture sight and an adjustable forend rail (for sling loop position). The safety lever has been removed. DIMENSIONS: Weight is 7.8 pounds and the length-of-pull is 12.25 inches.
CONDITION: The bore remains surprisingly strong with only suggestions of micro-scratching (likely from cleaning rods). Trigger pull is sharp. The barrel has three extra holes and is missing the forward band. The rear bridge is drilled/tapped (two holes) and the rear sight mount is missing a base attachment screw. Overall metal finish is approximately 40 percent. Wood is approximately 70 percent. 
INCLUSIONS: A vintage wood travel case with a 1959 letter to Montana State College Varsity Rifle Team Captain Lones Wigger from the NRA addressing a rules question, an unrelated NRA High Power Rifle Rules pamphlet and a USA hat with seven shooting and competition pins are included. Finally, this grouping is highlighted by Wigger’s personalized Olympic Team leather jacket.  

Anschutz square action .22 LR, cased, extras

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/924325855


Anschutz “Square Action” .22 LR. Serial number 290312 sports a 27-inch barrel (30 inches including tuning dial and 37 inches with drilled/tapped extension). The receiver has a full-length dovetail, the bolt handle is fitted with a large knob and the trigger breaks at approximately two ounces. The stock is shaped with a flat-bottomed beavertail, high comb and an adjustable butt plate. The safety has been removed. DIMENSIONS: Weight is 11.4 pounds and the length-of-pull is 13.5 inches.
CONDITION: The bore is in good condition (rifling appears sharp but a note found with the rifle suggests the barrel needs to be replaced). Metal finish is approximately 95 percent. The stock approximately 70 percent with a significant repair at the wrist and some chipping at the trigger.  
INCLUSIONS: A red/white/blue U.S. Shooting double rifle case with keys and a padded carrying strap, U.S. Army Shooting Team cap with shooting pins and a U.S. Shooting jacket embroidered “Wigger” complete the lot.

Browning 1885 .22-250, 28-inch octagon

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/924380550

Browning Model 1885 .22-250 Remington. Serial number 01273NZ247 features a 28-inch tapered octagon barrel (.660 muzzle diameter) and a polished blue finish. The walnut stock has double-bordered checkering fields and wears a gloss finish. Appointments include a Schnabel, straight grip, sling swivels (detachable) and a Browning-marked recoil pad.
DIMENSIONS: Weight is 8.4 pounds and the length-of-pull is 13.5 inches.
CONDITION: Likely unfired since factory proof, the bore is pristine. Metal finish is all but 100 percent, with trace suggestions of handling. Wood is 99 percent, a few checkering diamonds in the left grip field showing lifted or discolored finish. No box or papers. 

Anschutz .22 LR, Penrod barrel, shooting vest

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/924637080

Anschutz .22 LR. Serial 190241 wears a 25-inch J.M. Penrod  # 7 Match barrel (.905 muzzle diameter) with a tuning collar. Features include a dovetailed action, backswept bolt with large knob, forend accessory rail, adjustable comb and adjustable butt plate.
DIMENSIONS: Weight is 10.6 pounds and length-of-pull is approximately 13.0 inches. The safety has been removed.
CONDITION: The bore appears strong and bright. Barrel finish is approximatey 90 percent. Action finish is approximately 60 percent. The stock is much-modified and shows at about 30 percent. 
INCLUSION: A black Storm shooting vest with leather accents, Eley markings and Wigger’s name embroidered above upper left pocket is included.

Wichita .243 Winchester, Chanlynn barrel

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/924374015


Wichita single shot .243 Winchester. Serial number 150 has a 25-inch barrel (marked “MAC 243”) with a recessed crown. Features include a fluted bolt body, checkered (two panels) and hollowed bolt knob, and a light weight high-comb stock showing both pillar and glass bedding. A recoil pad is attached and a .5-inch spacer is included. No safety is present. MARKINGS: “150” appears on both barrel and receiver under the stock. The barrel is also marked “2616” near the serial.  
DIMENSIONS: Weight is 8.2 pounds and the length-of-pull is 13.0 inches.
CONDITION: The bore is strong and bright. Barrel finish is approximately 95 percent. Action finish is approximately 85 percent. The stock has a repaired crack running down the pistol grip and the comb has been built up with several layers of adhesive cloth.
INCLUSION: A superb heavy leather and nylon adjustable shooting vest made by Chris Winstead of Hardscrabble Mountain with an “Eley” patch and “Wigger” on the back is present.

Remington 700 .223 Rem., 26-inch heavy

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/924381125

Remington Model 700 .223 Remington. Serial E6809210 has a tapering 26-inch heavy barrel (.830 muzzle diameter) and jeweled bolt body. The safety has been removed and trigger tuned. OPTIC: A Bushnell Scope Chief 10x with adjustable objective and “straight crosswire” reticle is present. It remains clear, although the outer lens coatings are rubbed and worn.
DIMENSIONS: Weight is 10.8 pounds with optic. Length-of-pull is 13.5 inches.
CONDITION: The bore is strong and viable with no sign of roughness. Metal finish is approximately 75 percent. The laminated stock is somewhat ill-fitting, the barreled action riding high due to the thickness of added action bedding. Condition is otherwise approximately 80 percent owing to impressions and scratches. 

Winchester 52E .22 LR, NRA cover gun, cased

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/924326260

Winchester Model 52E custom .22 LR. Serial E123255 has been fitted with a 28-inch Douglas stainless steel barrel (1.140-inch muzzle diameter, recessed crown). The action has been fitted with an aperture base and the safety has been removed. The aftermarket stock is a broad laminate with forend accessory rail and adjustable comb (can be raised approximately .25-inch, spacers are absent). OPTIC: A Unertl 24x scope (serial 19961) with adjustable objective and dot reticle is mounted on barrel blocks. DIMENSIONS: Inclusive weight is 13.6 pounds and length-of-pull is 13.5 inches.
CONDITION: The bore is strong and bright. Barrel finish is approximately 70 percent, with a light general tarnish. Action finish is approximately 50 percent finish and drilling/tapping. Stock shows a repaired crack at the wrist. Optic is clear, although there is evidence of internal debris and a ding at the edge of the ocular shade. d
INCLUSIONS: A red/white/blue U.S. Shooting double rifle case with keys and a 1988 U.S.A. Olympic Team jacket round out the package.
HISTORY: Per the Wigger estate, this rifle was gifted to Lones Wigger by his good friend Herb Hollister and is the same rifle pictured with Hollister on the cover of the October, 1983 issue of American Rifleman.

Winchester 94 Musket .30-30, 1971 NRA Centennial

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/924380087

Winchester Model 94 NRA Centennial Musket .30-30. Made in 1971 in celebration of the National Rifle Association’s 100th year, serial NRA43248 has a 26-inch round barrel with blade front sight, tip-back elevator rear sight, polished blue finish, long forestock with cap and banded sling loop, and a straight-grip butt with flat comb and shotgun plate.
APPOINTMENTS: Barrel right is marked “NRA Centennial Musket”, the receiver has special markings and the right butt is inlaid with a commemorative medallion.
DIMENSIONS: Weight is 7.0 pounds and the length-of-pull is 13.25 inches.
CONDITION: The bore is strong and bright. Metal and wood finishes are approximately 98 percent with faint indications of handling. No box or papers. 

Accuracy International .243 Win., early CWC

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/924376224

Accuracy International CWC/PM .243 Winchester. Made in 1984 and recorded on the first page of the company production books as “Proto to Wig USA”, serial 0022C was originally barreled as a .308 Winchester. The action is marked “CWC” (Caig, Walls & Cooper). The rifle itself was ordered by long-time friend and fellow Olympic Gold Medalist Malcom Cooper then presented to Lones Wigger. In the current .243 Winchester configuration it has a 22-inch (23 inches including extension) floating “Gamco SWB” barrel with 1/7.5 twist. The action has an integral dovetail receiver, detachable magazine (follower marked .308) and a backswept bolt handle with large knob. The stock has an accessory rail, stippled texturing, adjustable comb and an adjustable butt plate.
DIMENSIONS: Weight is 12.4 pounds and the length-of-pull is 13.0 inches.
CONDITION: The bore is strong and bright. Metal finish is approximately 80 percent. Wood is approximately 75 percent.
INCLUSION: A light weight shooting vest with the Olympic rings and “Lones Wigger” embroidered on the pocket is present.

Anschutz .22 LR factory presentation rifle

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/924326778

Anschutz .22 LR. Jointly presented to Lones Wigger by Anschutz and Savage in recognition of his gold and silver medal performances at the 1964 Olympic Games, serial number 3060595 is a much-used favorite with custom work by Gunsmithing Inc. in Colorado Springs. Features include a 25.5-inch Wayne Smith barrel (marked “Smith”) with tapered crown, dovetailed receiver and a dramatically altered stock with adjustable comp and butt plate. The safety has been removed.
DIMENSIONS: Weight is 10.6 pounds. Length-of-pull is 13.75 inches.
CONDITION: The bore is strong and bright. Barrel finish is approximately 90 percent. Action finish is approximately 85 percent. The stock shows significant wear and heavy modification to suit. 
INCLUSIONS: A red/white/blue U.S. Shooting double rifle case (also used by 1988 Olympic Team Member Deena Wigger, whose name appears on exterior) and Lones Wigger’s personalized 1988 Olympic Team shooting coat complete the package.

Wichita .300 Win. Magnum, 28-inch Aldrich, Canjar

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/924374606

Wichita .300 Winchester Magnum. Serial number A-8 is a custom long-range rifle wearing a 28-inch heavy barrel with recessed crown. Features include mounting blocks, checkered bolt knob and Canjar trigger. The safety has been removed. The stock has an adjustable comb, adjustable butt plate and accessory rail. The action is glassed. MARKINGS: “17 March 1986”, “H-360 MOA” (believed to be Marvin O. Aldrich, U.S Army Marksmanship Unit gunsmith and machinist), and the serial appear under the wood on the barrel. The serial also appears under the wood on the action.
DIMENSIONS: Weight is 14.2 pounds and the length-of-pull is 13.75 inches.
CONDITION: The bore is strong and bright. Trigger pull is exceptional and mechanics solid. Barrel finish is approximately 95 percent with minor rubbing. Action finish is approximately 90 percent small areas of light tarnish. The stock is approximately 75 percent overall, most of the loss attributed to a missing piece from the front of the cheek rest/comb.
INCLUSION: A U.S. Shooting Team vest with leather accents is included.

SKB A-300 shotguns, 12 & 20 gauge, extra 12 barrel

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/924522191

Paired SKB A-300 12 gauge and 20 gauge semi-automatic shotguns. 12 GAUGE: Serial S7306276 has a 26-inch barrel with double-beaded vent rib and 2.75-inch chamber. This barrel appears to have been shortened to cylinder bore. Additional features include an etched receiver, crossbolt safety, sling loops and recoil pad. Weight is 7.2 pounds and the length-of-pull is 14.25 inches. The bore is bright and mechanics appear to operate properly. Metal finish is approximately 60 percent, with numerous rubs and scratches. Wood is approximately 40 percent owning to a host of impressions and scratches. The extra 12 gauge barrel is 28 inches with a fixed modified choke, vent rib and good bore. Metal finish of this barrel is approximately 65 percent. 20 GAUGE: Serial S8308207 has a 28-inch barrel with double-beaded vent rib, fixed modified choke and a 3-inch chamber. Additional features include an etched receiver, crossbolt safety and sling loops. Weight is 6.2 pounds and the length-of-pull is 14.0 inches. Metal finish is approximately 70 percent with a small area of freckling on the right side of the rib. Wood is approximately 60 percent overall.
INCLUSIONS: The original factory specification cards and one manual are present, as is a 1988 USA Olympic Team shirt.

Nikko EVB712 12 ga., extra barrels, Browning case

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/924522702


Nikko Model EVB712 12 gauge O/U with two barrel sets. Serial 68621 has 30-inch barrels with fixed chokes (M/F), vent rib with single bead, 2.75-inch chambers and ejectors. Additional features include a mechanical tang safety with barrel selector and single mechanical trigger. DIMENSIONS: Weight is 8.0 pounds and the length-of-pull is 14.2 inches. CONDITION: Bores are strong and bright. Barrels are full on face. Opening lever rests right of center. Forend latch is very tight. Metal and wood finishes are approximately 85 percent. BARREL SET 2: From a Winchester Model 101 and fitted properly (full on face), this set is 26 inches with fixed chokes (SK/SK). Bores are good, metal finish is approximately 85 percent with small spots of thinning and wood is approximately 70 percent. CASE: A Browning two-barrel takedown case used by Mr. Wigger for this shotgun and so marked (very good condition inside and out, with key) is included, as are two original Nikko cards and superb long sleeve shirt from the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games. 

More here. 

The Kids are Alright…

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One of the stops I did while on the road filming last month was to drop in on America’s fastest-growing school sport at the Minnesota Trap Shooting Championship in Alexandria – which for the record is the world’s largest shooting sport event – with over 6,500 student-athletes in 300 high school teams taking the field over the course of nine full days of competition.

It was pretty impressive.

In Other News, the number of Youth in the Shooting Sports is on the Rise

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I think it is no secret that I spent my childhood immersed in gun culture. Growing up in the Gulf South in the 1970s and 80s under the watchful eye of my grandpa (a retired 30-year SNCO) I got my first pellet gun at age six, my first .22LR two years later, and harvested my first deer– with a milsurp 8mm Mauser as tall as I was– before I left grade school. Added to this was Scouts, JROTC (where we fired Mossberg 442s in class against a sandbagged target trap every Friday!), hunting trips with my friends, and neighborhood turkey shoots, followed by working in a local gun store in my teens.

However, over the past several decades, the numbers of kids given the opportunity to shoot safely have greatly decreased, a sure bet that the number of responsible gun owners would shrink moving forward.

But, things may be changing a bit.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation’s hunting license sales index showed a 29 percent jump in new hunters taking the field in 2020 when compared to the previous year, climbing from an estimated 2.3 million in 2019 to over 3.2 million, gaining a legion equivalent to the population of Jacksonville, Florida, or Austin, Texas. Many of these were teens.

Besides apprentice hunters, the clay fields are also seeing big gains.

Following up on a record Fall Season, the USA Clay Target League told me last week that they will have a record 27,577 student-athletes representing 1,308 high school and college teams in 34 states participating in the league’s programs this spring, supported by 7,800 volunteers serving as coaches, range officers, and staff.

Maybe the kids will be alright.

Vale, Art Cook

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After falling in love with smallbore riflery while at Boy Scout Camp as a kid, Arthur Edwin Cook, “Art” or sometimes just “Cookie” to his friends, went on to become pretty good at it, winning two National Junior Smallbore Rifle Championships in high school– and pitching in to help train Navy personnel in marksmanship during WWII although he was too young to enlist himself.

Speaking of youth, while attending the University of Maryland as a member of their All-American rifle team, he took a break to represent the U.S. at the XIV Olympiad in London, pulling down the Gold in the 50m Free Rifle Prone rifle, both setting a world record at the time with a score of 599 in a 60-round course and becoming the youngest American– at age 20– to bring back the gold in Olympic shooting sports until 2008.

Air Force veteran, gold medalist, and renowned shooting sports coach and icon Arthur Cook just left for that big shooting match in the sky last week, aged 92.

This is how you keep a sport alive

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When I was a kid, there were lots of ways to participate in the shooting sports in school. In elementary school, there were Cub Scout and Boy Scout units affiliated with the campus and both types offered marksmanship badges in various disciplines at camps. Later, as an adult and certified instructor, I pitched back in on this same program to pay it forward. Besides Scouts, there was 4-H, regular hunter’s education classes (which I also teach now for the same reason), and lots of chances to go hunting with classmates. Then in high school, there was JROTC, where we shot Remington 40X .22s in class every Friday (on campus!) while we used M1903A3 drill rifles to learn the manual of arms.

Sadly, a lot of those opportunities are not around for today’s kids. Which is why I thought this piece of news was exciting.

In The Show Me State in 2013, the Missouri Youth Sport Shooting Alliance established the Student Air Rifle program, which uses school-aligned units with standardized equipment and training to introduce youth to target shooting. In short, the program supplies the air rifles, pellets, targets, et al to teachers interested in establishing a program at their school then certifies said educator as a Basic Air Riflery Instructor through a workshop and supports them in their efforts.

The popular National Archery in the Schools Program, which has instructed around 3 million youth in archery since 2002, has a similar format.

The SAR program has expanded to Iowa and now to Pennsylvania.

More in my column at Guns.com

Hope you aren’t a fan of the 50m Prone Rifle and Pistol events in the Olympics

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Moving towards being “more youthful, more urban, and more women” the International Olympic Committee approved a host of changes to the shooting sports for the upcoming Tokyo Games.

The group last week announced they agreed with changes proposed by the International Shooting Sports Federation, the governing body for Olympic-style shooting, that aims toward a larger goal to boost female participation while appealing to more youth.

The IOC will remove the current Men’s Double Trap, Men’s 50m Rifle Prone, and Men’s 50m Pistol events to make room for new ones.

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Shooting sports events at Modern Olympics since 1896 zapped

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American Sumner Paine picked up the first Olympic Gold Medal in Free Pistol at the 1896 Athens Olympics. The event will likely be cashiered in 2020.

American Sumner Paine picked up the first Olympic Gold Medal in Free Pistol at the 1896 Athens Olympics. The event will likely be cashiered in 2020.

The International Shooting Sports Federation, the governing body for Olympic-style shooting, has recommended a host of changes that could see more gender equality in the Tokyo games.

The ISSF Administrative Council, meeting in New Delhi, India last month, unanimously approved a plan to meet Olympic recommendations to stimulate women’s participation and involvement in sport by creating more participation opportunities at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020.

The upside of the plan: create new Trap Mixed Gender Team, 10m Air Rifle Mixed Gender Team, and 10m Air Pistol Mixed Gender Team events.

The downside: to make room it would remove the current Men’s Double Trap, Men’s 50m Rifle Prone, and Men’s 50m Pistol events.

More in my column at Guns.com