®

Dope Bag is compiled by Staff andContributing Editors: David Andrews, HughC. Birnbaum, Bruce N. Canfield, RussCarpenter, O. Reid Coffield, William C. Davis,Jr., Pete Dickey, Charles Fagg, Robert W.Hunnicutt, Mark A. Keefe, IV, AngusLaidlaw, Scott E. Mayer, Charles E. Petty,Robert B. Pomeranz, O.D., Jim Supica,Charles R. Suydam, A.W.F. Taylerson andStanton L. Wormley, Jr.

CAUTION: Technical data and informa-tion contained herein are intended to pro-vide information based on the limited expe-rience of individuals under specific condi-tions and circumstances. They do not detailthe comprehensive training procedures,techniques and safety precautionsabsolutely necessary to properly carry on

PLASTIC-framed guns are certainlynothing new. The groundbreakingGlock 17 was introduced some 13

years ago, and since that time, Smith &Wesson, Colt, Heckler & Koch and oth-ers have all added polymer-framedhandguns to their lines.

Today’s synthetic-framed gunsgenerally employ steel inserts embed-ded in the polymer to provide metal-to-metal contact for the slide and frame.Ruger’s new KP95DC, unveiled at the 1996SHOT Show, is the first large-caliber, cen-ter-fire handgun by a major U.S. manufac-turer in which the metal inserts have beeneliminated and the steel slide rides direct-ly on polymer frame rails.

This is made possible by Ruger’sdevelopment of a new proprietarypolymer based on Dow Chemical’sIsoplast, a combination of urethaneresin with long-strand fiberglassfibers. After several years of research,Ruger engineers modified the basicIsoplast formulation to produce a handgunframe that is tough, resilient, corrosion-resistant and unaffected by most lubricants,and more economical to produce than asteel or aluminum frame. Eliminating thesteel inserts further simplified production.

Other than its polymer frame, the new

9x19 mm Ruger is a con-ventional locked-breech,

recoil-operated semi-automatic pistol ofcomparable size to the firm’s compact P939 mm. Features include ambidextrousdecocking levers and magazine release but-tons, an oversized recurved trigger guardand high-visibility fixed sights. The P95also comes in a double-action-only version.

Magazine capacity islimited to 10 by a plasticblock that forms the lower.9" of the magazine and thatis pinned to the steel maga-zine body. A 15-round mag-azine is available for policeand overseas sales, and thenew gun will accept any P-series 15-round 9x19 mmmagazines.

The KP95 firing mech-anism is functionally iden-tical to that of other P-seriesguns (see January 1996, p.37), and in fact many P95parts are interchangeablewith those of the P93. Inseveral respects, however,the new gun differs marked-

ly from its aluminum-framed sibling. Moststriking is the replace-ment of the M1911-style swinging link sys-tem for an angled-camarrangement with separate locking blockvery similar to the Peters Stahl locking sys-tem used on the Springfield Armory Omega

and Linkless M1911-A1 pis-tols of the late 1980s andearly 1990s (July 1988, p. 38and August 1991, p. 72).

Barrel lockup is via theengagement of a shoulder onthe barrel with the front faceof the ejection port. A singleinvestment-cast part thatRuger calls the camblockserves as both full-lengthfluted recoil spring guideand locking block, and ispositioned in the frame bythe slide stop pin. Angledcams at the rear of the blockcontact similar surfaces on

MANUFACTURER: Sturm, Ruger & Co.,Dept. AR, 200 Ruger Rd., Prescott, AZ86301

MECHANISM TYPE: recoil-operatedsemi-automatic pistol

CALIBER: 9x19 mmOVERALL LENGTH: 71⁄4"BARREL LENGTH: 3.9"WEIGHT: 27 ozs.WIDTH: 19⁄16"HEIGHT: 53⁄4"MAGAZINE CAPACITY: 10TRIGGER: 91⁄4 lbs. double-action; 51⁄4 lbs.

single-actionSIGHTS: three-dot; fixed front with rear

drift-adjustable for windageACCESSORIES: extra magazine, maga-

zine loading tool, plastic storage case,padlock

PRICE: $351

RUGER KP95DC

RUGER KP95DCRUGER KP95DC

The new Ruger KP95DC is a 9 mm polymer-frame pistol of thesame size as the firm’s P93 model.

Magazine capacity is limit-ed by a plastic block pinnedinto the bottom of the box.

46 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN • May 1996

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN • May 1996 47

the underside of the barrel, camming thebarrel down out of lockup during recoil andup into lockup when the slide returns to bat-tery. This new locking system enabledRuger engineers to move the slide stop pinforward to the frame location having thethickest possible walls.

Also different is the P95 slide, whichhas two slots in the spring tunnel to accom-modate guide rails in the frame. These addi-tional rails distribute slide recoil forces,especially vertical torque, along a greaterarea, contributing to frame longevity andgive the P95 the distinction of being one ofthe few pistols having both inside and out-side frame rails.

To disassemble the KP95DC, firstensure that it is unloaded. Lock the slideback, and using a punch or probe, push theejector down and forward. Release theslide, align the witness marks on the leftside of the slide and frame, and push theslide stop pin out to the left. While it is cap-tive in other P-series guns, the slide stop pinis fully removable in the P95. Then simplypull the slide, recoil system and barrel for-ward off the frame. Invert the slide and liftout the camblock and barrel. This is all thedisassembly required for routine mainte-nance. Reassembly is in reverse order.

The test KP95DC we received had astainless steel slide, hammer, trigger, slidestop and magazine catch, which contrastednicely with its black polymer frame. Ablued slide is an option.

The grip portion of the polymer framehad heavy molded serrations to give a bet-ter hold on the rather slippery grip. Rugeris reportedly considering fitting the lawenforcement versions of the P95 with a slip-on rubber grip from Hogue.

An interesting feature is the stamping ofthe serial number on a metal plate set into

the left side of the grip. Ruger states thatthe plate is permanently molded into thegrip and cannot be removed without sig-nificant frame damage. A second, hiddenserial number has been strongly rumored.

The KP95DC was fired for accuracywith the results shown in the accompany-ing table, and function-fired with BlackHills, Federal, Hornady, PMC, Remington,

Speer and Winchester ammunition.There were no failures of any kind.

At 27 ozs., the P95 was the light-est P-series gun we have tested. Feltrecoil was lighter than expected,however, presumably because ofthe pistol’s captive dual recoilsprings and the shock-absorbingqualities of its polymer frame. TheP95’s grip size and shape wasjudged to be on a par with other P-series guns, being only .100"greater in circumference than that

of the P93. The new pistol also maintainsthe P93’s trigger position in relation to both

grip and bore. Our KP95DC’strigger pull was comparable tothat of the P944 we tested a fewmonths ago: a long yet light andeven double-action pull, com-bined with a single-action pullthat was slightly heavy andcreepy.

Test firing revealed one rel-atively minor quirk: with sev-eral brands of ammunition,some empty cases ejectedalmost straight back, a few

even hitting the shooter in the chest. Whilethis did not impair reliability, it was distract-ing, especially during aimed fire.

Our KP95DC shot to point of aim at25 yds. The sights were deemed adequatefor defensive shooting or plinking.

Since it is the frame that absorbs theimpact of the recoiling slide, we wonderedwhat signs of wear, if any, would be evidentafter test-firing. After 200 test-fire rounds,our examination of the recoil-bearing sur-faces in the frame revealed no wear.Moreover, the slide stop pin hole, which isbattered each time the slide slams into bat-tery, showed no elongation.

According to Ruger, after 20,000rounds of law-enforcement-only +P+ 9 mmammunition, a KP95DC prototype showedalmost no wear or loss of accuracy or reli-ability. Such durability—much more than

the average shooter will fire in a lifetime—implies that the design could be adapted tothe .40 S&W and .45 ACP rounds, though

Ruger officials state that neitherchambering is currently planned.

The KP95DC combines lightweight, high reliability and goodaccuracy with the economy providedby a polymer frame; and its Rugerheritage, American manufacture andsuggested list price of $351 will like-ly make it appealing to both civilianand police buyers.

Upon firing, the barrel moves rearward,rid-ing down the angled face of the camblockand unlocking from the slide. As the slidereturns, the barrel lug rides up the inclinedtop surface of the camblock to reengage.

Despite a light weight of 27ozs., recoil was mild in the P95.

9x19 mm Vel. @15' Smallest Largest AverageCartridge (f.p.s.) (ins.) (ins.) (ins.)

Black Hills 1089 Avg. 2.42 4.45 3.46124 gr. JHP 23 Sd

Hornady No. 9020 1337 Avg. 1.92 2.98 2.3790 gr. XTP JHP 15 Sd

Win. No. X9MMTCM 949 Avg. 2.20 3.73 3.06147 gr. FMJ 10 SdSubsonic Match

Average Extreme Spread 2.96

Five consecutive 5-shot groups from 25 yds., fired fromRansom Rest. Abbreviations: Sd (standard deviation),JHP (jacketed hollow point), XTP (Extreme TerminalPerformance), Win. (Winchester), FMJ (full metal jacket)

ACCURACY RESULTS

The slide rides both inside and outsidethe frame. The spring tunnel (arrow) isgrooved to match rails in the frame front.

The P95 uses many of the same frame com-ponent parts as other P-series guns.Raised arm on the sear (arrow) depressesthe firing pin block when the trigger is pulled.

48 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN • May 1996

THE ArmaLite AR-10 rifle had littlesignificance in its own right, withfewer than 10,000 made in the late

1950s, and issued only in places likePortugal and the Sudan. Its real importancewas that it opened the way for the AR-15rifle by showing that modern materials likeplastic and forged aluminum could radi-cally reduce the weight of a service rifle.

The original ArmaLite firm was a divi-sion of Fairchild Engine and Airplane Co.,formed to develop and manufacture a line

of lightweight arms that included the famil-iar AR-7 .22. The failure of the AR-10,along with problems in the aircraft businessat the time, led Fairchild to sell the rightsto the AR-15 to Colt for $75,000 plus a roy-alty on future production.

Other ArmaLite products made theirway to different manufacturers, with theAR-7 going to Charter Arms, the AR-180going to Howa and then Sterling; the com-pany name finally came to rest with EliscoTool Co. in the Philippines. Much of theparts inventory went to a firm calledTimberline-Hawk (Dept. AR, Box 231,Audubon, IA 50025).

Mark Westrom, president of EagleArms, one of the prominent makers of AR-

15 clones, bought the ArmaLite name fromElisco and changed his company namefrom Eagle Arms to ArmaLite, Inc.

One might have assumed that interest ina failed 40-year-old design like the AR-10would have been minimal, but the successof the Knight SR-25 (September 1993, p.46) proved that there remains a nucleus ofshooters who like the AR-15 operating sys-tem, but demand something a bit morepotent in the ammunition department.

Like SR-25 manufacturer C. ReedKnight, Westrom recognizedthe futility of recreating the AR-10 line-for-line when the worldis full of combat-tested AR-15components. So the newArmaLite AR-10(T) is, like theSR-25, a mixture of AR-15 andnew components.

Unlike the Knight, however,

it looks much more like a pumped-up AR-15. Three versions are available—the AR-10A2, with fixed carrying handle and frontsights; the AR-10A4, which adds detach-able handle and front sight; and the AR-10(T), which has a screw-on tubular hand-guard in place of the familiar split guard, a24" barrel and a two-stage match trigger.

Our sample rifle was the AR-10(T), a12-lb. behemoth that emphasized the con-

trast with the original 71⁄2-lb. AR-10. Theblack anodized aluminum receiver has theM16A2-style shell deflector, but not thebolt forward assist that has generally beenattacked over the years as an unnecessaryfrill added to the M16A1 at the insistenceof the Army.

In contrast to the slab-sided appearanceof the Knight’s SR-25, the AR-10 is con-toured much more like the AR-15, with the“fence” that protects the magazine buttonand a rounded section at the rear.

The familiar finger-groove A2-style pis-tol grip and the winter trigger that datesfrom the first AR-10s have been retained,

MANUFACTURER: ArmaLite, Inc., Dept.AR, Box 299, Geneso, IL 61254

MECHANISM TYPE: gas-operated semi-automatic rifle

CALIBER: 7.62x51 mmOVERALL LENGTH: 431⁄2"BARREL LENGTH: 24"WEIGHT: 12 lbs., 2 ozs.MAGAZINE CAPACITY: 10TRIGGER: two-stage, 6 lbs. pullSIGHTS: post front, aperture rear

adjustable for windage and elevationSTOCK: black plastic: length of pull, 141⁄4";

drop at heel, 2"; drop at comb, 2"ACCESSORIES: spare magazine,

bolt blockPRICE: $1995

ARMALITE AR-10(T)

ARMALITE AR-10(T) RIFLEARMALITE AR-10(T) RIFLE

The ArmaLite AR-10(T) is a much-updated modern rendition of the gun that was thedirect ancestor of the AR-15 and M16 rifles.This version has a detachable carryinghandle and front sight, along with a heavy barrel and fiberglass tube handguard.

Disassembly follows theAR-15: swivel the upperreceiver open and pull thebolt assembly to the rear.

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN • May 1996 49

as has the long A2 buttstock that, whencombined with the larger AR-10 receiver,gives the rifle a pull length of 141⁄4".

One feature not brought forward is theoperating handle, which in the original AR-10 was located inside the carrying handle.This obviously would interfere with themaking of a flatttop version, so the famil-iar AR-15 style T-handle was specified.

The bolt is stepped down at itsrear to allow the use of the AR-15receiver tube. An AR-15-style bufferwith counterweights is used, thoughArmaLite claims it is dimensionedfor the AR-10.

The bolt is black phosphated onits outside, but is chrome-platedinside for corrosion resistance. Thepiston ring is a single wrapped strip,much like a small Slinky toy. Themanufacturer claims this preventsgas blowby that can occur if thesplits in conventional rings align.The bolt head has flared, rather thanstraight-sided, lugs.

The firing pin of early versionsfloated, but the firm found this couldcause slam-fires, especially withsensitive bench-rest primers, so abuffer spring is now supplied to help pre-vent accidental discharges.

The longer ejection port needed for 7.62mm ammunition requires a special ejectionport cover and spring.

The receiver of the A4 and (T) modelsis topped with a Picatinny rail that willaccept most Weaver-specification rings andaccessories. The aluminum handguardattaches to it by knurled and coin-slottedthumbscrews and is fitted with a standardA2-type sight, but with half-minute adjust-ments for both windage and elevation.

The front sight attaches to a 1.35" sec-tion of Picatinny rail atop the gas block andcan quickly be removed for convenientscope use by turning out its thumbscrew.The front sight itself is of AR-15 pattern,allowing somewhat laborious elevationadjustment, but is square-sided.

The fore-end tube is fiberglass and isattached to the receiver by a large ribbedring. This was too tight for easy removal onour sample; the maker recommends a strapwrench for the job.

While the lesser AR-10s have 20"chrome-lined button-rifled barrels,the 24" AR-10(T) barrel is cut-rifledin the 5R pattern of the M24 sniperrifle. The muzzle has a dished crownto protect the rifling origin.

The trigger is a two-stage matchunit that has no pull weight adjust-ment, but that can be adjusted for sec-ond-stage sear engagement by turn-ing a hex socket screw. It resemblesthe Milazzo/Krieger trigger (April1994, p. 55) far more than the origi-nal AR-10 unit. The trigger and ham-mer pins are the old .154" diameter

used by most aftermarket AR-15 suppliersin contrast to the .172" pins now used byColt (February 1994, p. 26).

In contrast to the SR-25, which usesoriginal 20-round AR-10 magazines, thenew ArmaLites use 10-round magazines toadhere to the Violent Crime and LawEnforcement Act’s 10-round limit. Forthose who want 20-round capacity, the firm

acquires pre-ban M14 magazines,machines off the magazine latchplate, shortens the feed lips, replacesthe follower and cuts a slot down theback of the magazine to accommo-date a spring-loaded plunger thatactuates the AR-10 bolt stop. Thefirm can make these modifications tobuyer-supplied magazines.

When loading the modified mag-azine, the plunger must be pressed into allow loading the second round.Subsequent rounds can be loaded conven-tionally. The plunger presses up on the AR-10’s bolt stop, which is larger than the cor-responding unit on the AR-15, as the lastround of a magazine is fired.

Disassembly of the AR-10 follows theAR-15 pattern. Remove the magazine andclear the chamber by retracting and releas-ing the operating handle. Press left to right

on the captive rear takedown pin and swiv-el the upper receiver forward. Pull out onthe operating handle, withdrawing it andthe bolt from the upper receiver. To sepa-rate the two receiver halves, press the cap-tive hinge pin left to right.

To disassemble the bolt, pull out the fir-ing pin retainer right to left and let the fir-ing pin and buffer spring drop out the rear

of the bolt. Then rotate the bolt headto allow the cam pin to be pulled outpast the bolt carrier key. The bolthead then can be pulled out of thecarrier.

The AR-10(T) was fired for accu-racy with results shown in theaccompanying table, and function-fired with Federal, Lapua andSamson ammunition. There were afew feeding failures with SamsonSPBT ammunition, but feeding wasperfect with the HPBT ammunitionthat will be this rifle’s steady diet.

We quickly discovered that theAR-10 had the annoying habit ofthrowing the first shot of a groupabove its fellows, a common prob-lem in pistols, but not one we expect-

ed in this rifle. The manufacturer suggestsa break-in period of 200 rounds, and thatmight help the problem. We dealt with it bytopping up the magazine before the lastround was fired, avoiding the manually-loaded first round.

We found that inserting rounds into themagazine while holding in the boltstop plunger was a chore. Our solu-tion was to press in on the plunger witha bullet point, shove the followerdown with the thumb until the plungercleared its slot, and then load a cou-ple of rounds. The remaining eightthen would load normally.

As might be guessed, the AR-10(T) is a pleasure to shoot, with min-imal recoil and muzzle blast, thanksto its heft and long barrel. We wouldhave preferred a lighter trigger pullweight, given the gun’s role as a pre-cision target arm. Even a crisp andclean 6 lbs. is still 6 lbs.

7.62x51 mm Vel. @15' Smallest Largest AverageCartridge (f.p.s.) (ins.) (ins.) (ins.)

Federal No. 308M 2616 Avg. 0.56 1.43 0.93168-gr. BTHP 15 Sd

Lapua No. 2587 Avg. 0.98 2.18 1.56185-gr. BTHP 10 Sd

Samson No. 2665 Avg. 0.93 1.79 1.43150-gr. BTSP 24 Sd

Average Extreme Spread 1.30

Five consecutive 5-shot groups from 100 yds., fired fromsandbags. Abbreviations: Sd (standard deviation), BTHP(boattail hollow-point), BTSP (boattail soft-point)

ACCURACY RESULTS

The trigger resembles the Milazzo/Kriegerunit more than it does the original AR-10trigger. Sear engagement can be adjusted.

The carrying handle is removable inthe style of the Colt Competition H-BAR for very easy scope mounting.

50 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN • May 1996

BERETTA SILVER PIGEONBERETTA SILVER PIGEON

WHEN we reviewed the very basicBeretta Model S686 Essential(June 1995, p. 55), we presented

it as for those “who want the features of the686 without the ‘bells and whistles’.”

The next step up in the well-proven 686shotgun line is the Onyx (December 1989,p.49), that we called “for the hunter whoprefers a tastefully subdued appearance.”The Onyx’s appearance differed from theEssential’s mainly by the addition of sideribs, better wood and metal finish, goldinlay on the sides and bottom of the action

and a gold-plated trigger. The next level ofthe 686 line, the 686 Silver Perdiz, has beenrecently replaced in the Beretta line-up bythe 686 Silver Pigeon.

Following the pattern of the earlierguns, the changes and improvements to theSilver Pigeon grade are mainly cosmetic,concentrating on ornamentation andengraving.

The only externally-blued parts on theSilver Pigeon are the chrome-lined 28" bar-rels, their side ribs and the non-tapering,.23" ventilated top rib. The top rib is cross-hatched with a single .12" front bead, andthe barrels accept the interchangeableBeretta Mobilchokes that are supplied withthe gun.

The barrels are assembled on a

monobloc that is engine-turned onits interior surfaces.

The action body has a satinelectroless nickel finish, and is dec-orated with rolled scroll engravingon all sides, as well as on the trig-ger guard, fore-end latch and toplever. The only visible externalscrew is in front of the triggerguard, its head engraved andlocked in place by a single brass setscrew.

The light walnut stock is fin-

ished to a very high glosswith a schnabel fore-endtip and bordered check-ering at 20 lines per inchon the gun’s fore-end andpistol grip. The stock isnot equipped with a gripcap and the 1/2" choco-late-colored rubberrecoil pad is solid.

As with the rest ofBeretta’s 686 line, theautomatic safety is posi-tioned behind the toplever and houses theselector switch. With theselector to the right,exposing two red dots,

Beretta U.S.A. introduces its Silver Pigeon over/under shotgun equipped withan all-new electroless nickel finish receiver, enhanced engraving pattern anda schnabel fore-end.The Silver Pigeon replaces the Beretta 686 Silver Perdiz.

AVERAGE OF 10 PATTERNS AT 40 YDS.

12 14 12 13

28 28 22 26

27 29 26 24

13 13 13 14

Full Tube Modified Tube

x=Point of HoldWinchester Xpert Light Field 31⁄4-1-6

Pellet count—213

Total Hits 164 (77%) Total Hits 150 (70%)21.2" Inner Circle 112 (53%) 21.2" Inner Circle 98 (46%)30" Outer Ring 52 (24%) 30" Outer Ring 52 (24%)

BERETTA SILVER PIGEON

The Silver Pigeon’s actionbody has an electroless nickelfinish and is well-decoratedwith rolled scroll engraving onall sides.The chrome-lined bar-rels are fitted into a monobloc.

The Silver Pigeon was quick-handling inshooting at sporting clays, but we wouldhave preferred a bit more rounded fore-endshape for the maximum shooting comfort.

the top barrel fires first. Moving the buttonto the left, exposing a single red dot, selectsthe gun’s bottom barrel as the first to fire.The single gold-plated trigger uses an iner-tia-type reset for firing the second barrel.

The hammers are cocked by rods in the

bottom of the action that are pushed backby a pair of levers in the fore-end whenthe action is opened. This system pro-vides selective ejection.

The Silver Pigeon was pattern-testedusing Winchester Xpert Light Fieldloads with the results shown in theaccompanying table, and function firedwith a variety of foreign and domesticloads at sporting clays. There were nomalfunctions of any kind.

One of our staffers who is slight ofbuild often has problems with inertia-type triggers not resetting to the otherbarrel. During the course of our pattern-ing and test firing, the Silver Pigeon gavehim no trouble whatsoever.

Another nuisance we’ve often experi-enced is with guns having deep, sharpcheckering that rubs the fingers raw after aday of shooting. The checkering on theSilver Pigeon strikes a balance betweencomfort and function and presented noproblems.

Handling will hold no surprises tothose who’ve fired earlier 686 variants,with a very neutral feel that is appropriate

for a wide variety of shooting activities.The ornamentation of the action body

places the Silver Pigeon grade above theEssential and Onyx, but the stock finishseemed less than adequate for a gun of thisprice range. The wood stood higher than the

metal along virtually all lines, and at thewrist the wood stood up nearly a full 1/8"higher, leaving it vulnerable to snaggingand splintering.

The high gloss finish was deep and alittle milky, and obscured the light wal-nut’s grain. The finish was also so sus-ceptible to chipping that we had to beextremely deliberate not to chip it alongedges when assembling or disassemblingthe gun, and could not help but chip itslightly about the tang when operatingthe top latch.

Had the attention given to the SilverPigeon’s action decoration been given

equally to our sample’s stock, this gunwould have been more appealing to thosehere who tested it.

MANUFACTURER: Fabbrica d’ArmiPietro Beretta, S.p.a., 18 Via PietroBeretta, 25063 Gardone V.T. (Bs), Italy

IMPORTER: Beretta USA Corp., Dept.AR, 17601 Beretta Dr., Accokeek, MD20607

MECHANISM TYPE: over-under shotgunGAUGE: 12, 3"OVERALL LENGTH: 453⁄4"BARREL LENGTH: 26", 28" (tested)WEIGHT: 6 lbs., 13 ozs.TRIGGER: single selective, 5 lbs. pull

both barrelsSTOCK: American walnut: length of pull,

141⁄2"; drop at heel, 21⁄4", drop at comb,11⁄2"

ACCESSORIES: choke tubes, spannerPRICE: $1544

SILVER PIGEON

The barrels are threaded for the BerettaMobilchoke system of interchangeablechoke tubes. Improved cylinder, modifiedand full-choke tubes are standard items.

Like other Beretta over-unders, the SilverPigeon is held closed by a bolt that en-gages a pair of holes on either side of themonobloc.This allows a low action body.

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN • May 1996 51

HORNADY MICROJUSTHORNADY MICROJUSTHANDLOADERS who

spend hours andhours toiling over all

the loading variables thatcan have an affect on accu-racy will likely appreciatethe all-steel MicroJust seat-ing stem recently intro-duced by Hornady Manu-facturing Co.

Bench-rest shootershave demonstrated time andtime again that the closecontrol of seating depth is animportant part of consistent and accurateshooting. The Microjust stem is an afford-able way to quickly and easily convert anyHornady New Dimension seating die into

a calibrated seating die that can be set to adesired bullet seating depth for a particularrifle and load combination.

To use, remove the standard seating

depth adjustment stem onyour die and replace it withthe MicroJust stem. Bulletseating depth can be pre-cisely adjusted and set in.001" increments by simplyturning the calibratedadjustment knob.

Increments marked onthe stem can be recorded forfuture reference, thus elim-inating the need for trial-and-error seating depthadjustments at a later date.

Available from: Hornady Mfg. Co.,Dept. AR, P.O. Box 1848, Grand Island, NE68802-1848, phone: (800) 338-3220.Price: $14.95.

Hornady’s MicroJust seatingstem makes minute adjust-ment of seating depth a snap.

The tang-mounted automatic safety hous-es the barrel selector switch. Moving theswitch to the left exposes a single red dotand selects the bottom barrel to fire first.