They may be familiar to some, but not every gunsmith knows the ins and outs of drill bits. Here are the basics.

The graceful, light, and distinctive L.C. Smith Hammerless Double sidelock is a favorite of American shotgunners. Here’s how to fix its most common problems. If you own a Smith and want to make it suitable to shoot again, or if you are presented a Smith to repair, here’s what you need to know about the shotgun.

In June 2010, Kahr Arms purchased Minnesota-based firearms manufacturer, Magnum Research, Inc., maker of the Desert Eagle Pistol and BFR Revolvers in .44 Magnum, .45 LC/.410 or .45/70. Kahr Arms offers a selection of other niche-type firearms, such as the “Tommy Gun” and Auto-Ordnance line of M1 .30 caliber carbines. In this video, Gun Tests Contributing Editor Roger Eckstine shows off two of the company’s big-hole BFR wheelguns.

Beretta USA introduced the BU-9 Nano as its entry into the pocket 9mm pistol category last September. Initial shipments of the American-made pistol left the Accokeek, Maryland factory beginning in November 2011, with a suggested retail price of $475. In this video, Gun Tests’ Contributing Editor Roger Eckstine gets a detailed explanation of how easy the Nano is to break down for maintenance. The Nano's modularity provides for simple disassembly and easy cleaning. Safely disassemble the pistol by first engaging the striker deactivator, a patent pending safety mechanism that eliminates the need to pull the trigger prior to disassembly.

Fulton Armory Titan FAR-308 308 Winchester

Courtesy, Gun Tests

The Titan handled everything we fed it in an easy-to-shoot package. the only gun in our test equipped with a compensator, its reduced recoil led to easier handling and faster follow-up shots. The FAR-308 also turned in the best accuracy, including our only sub-moa average. We can excuse a couple of misfeeds toward the end when the gun was getting dirty, but can’t quite give it an ‘A’ as a result.

Fulton Armory is a small manufacturer located in Savage, Maryland, known in the competitive shooting market for its reproductions of the M1 Garand, M1 Carbine, and M-14 models. Their AR-15s aren’t chopped liver either: Fulton’s FAR-15 (5.56/223 Rem.) was our gun of the year in 2009. Now the Titan FAR-308 was in our crosshairs. To ensure neutral opinions on this gun, none of our testers had participated in last year’s review of the FAR-15.

We started our examination by un-boxing the Titan to review its contents. No criticism could be made about their gun case, because there wasn’t one; just a foam-lined cardboard box. Within the box came the gun, owner’s manual, and a webbed sling for attaching to sling-looped supplied gun.

Fulton’s owner’s manual was illustrated and relatively straightforward, though not as detailed the book from ArmaLite. One note in the book stuck out: No barrel break-in was required for the Titan.

Moving to the main event, we examined the gun from stem to stern. The first feature noticed was the unique side-cocking module. The dust cover, forward assist, and brass deflector are removed, instead featuring a handle that may be used to work the gun’s action in lieu of the charging handle. All of our testers liked this feature, even a couple of southpaws in the group.

The 18.5-inch target-grey stainless-steel barrel was topped with a Bennie Coolie Compensator. Wrapping the barrel was a free-floating vented black-aluminum tube fore end. The FAR-308 also came with a non-adjustable two-stage trigger. An Ergo Pistol Grip was the last option on the rifle, as the stock was of the standard plastic A2 variety with a hard-plastic buttpad. This combination totaled a little bit more

Courtesy, Gun Tests

All of our testers liked the Fulton Armory Side Cocking module in lieu of a standard charging handle. Despite the elimination of a brass deflector, no spent rounds found their way into contact with the shooter.

The Titan tipped our scales as the middleweight of our group, registering 9.3 lbs. While still weighted forward, our testers said the shorter barrel and lighter weight gave the gun better balance and a livelier feel.

Our trips to the range gave the team ample time to access the shooting capabilities of the gun. At the conclusion of the tests, we found that, unlike the Armalite, our two test groups were in complete agreement. All of our testers preferred the Fulton FAR-308 over the competition. The remarks were remarkably similar: "accurate," "balanced," "easy to shoot," and "low recoil." Two of our SWAT team members gave it their highest compliment, stating they would plunk down their own cash to buy Fulton Titan FAR-308.

The empirical data tended to back up the comments, as the Fulton proved to be the most accurate with all three brands of ammo fired through it, including an average the 0.9 inch group size with the Silver State Armory 175-gr. Sierras. The Bennie Coolie Comp did noticeably reduce felt recoil and allow follow-up shots to be performed with relative ease. However, those shooters at each flank of the shooter were well aware where the recoil had gone, getting a palpable jolt of expended gas thrown their way after each shot.

Reader Comments

Being a Vietnam Vet I preferred the M-14 over the M-16. If I were to purchase a fighting rifle I would want it to be a 7.62/308. But $2,058 is a lot of money to spend for a rifle especially one which had a couple of misfeeds when dirty.

I assume the price did not include the scope we see mounted and no mention was made as to its manufacture.

Comment by: Bill W | November 12, 2009

"no mention was made as to its manufacture"

Fulton Armory, sir.

Regards,

Walt

Comment by: wjkuleck | November 12, 2009

"had a couple of misfeeds when dirty"

The new stainless steel mags with CrSi springs have corrected that.

Regards,

Walt

Comment by: wjkuleck | November 12, 2009

Price?

Comment by: KURT L. H | November 12, 2009

Dear Santa...

Comment by: lfdavis | November 12, 2009

I own a Norinco M14 which I sent to Fulton Armory several years ago for their Chinese M14 upgrade. I can vouch for the excellent work and attention to detail they put into their rifles. It's a beautiful rifle and very accurate with any .308 I feed it with no FTF's yet, and every time I take it to the range, it becomes the center of attention. From what I can read about the Titan, it would make a great companion to my M14.

Comment by: lfdavis | November 12, 2009

Just a note: Fulton has done some Garand work for myself an some other various work for friends and some acquaintences at My Gun Club. Myself and all of them to a man have said "If it's done by Fulton it's done right!"

Comment by: TIMOTHY C | November 13, 2009

Fulton Arrmory is indeed impressive. I ordered a custom-built AR-15 upper in .223... 20" heavy barrel, free-floated rail handguard, Phantom flash suppressor, etc. I put it on top of a lower from another AR-15. Long story short, after just 60 rounds of (not needed) break-in, the Fulton Armory upper put 3 rounds in the same hole at 50 yards without me really trying. Sight was an unmagnified holosight, and I was shooting from a bench with a front support only. Ammo was Lake City SS109. It's my best-shooting rifle ever. If you want to be MORE than satisfied with your rifle, buy from Fulton Armory. Next time I want or need a rifle, that's where I'm going.

Comment by: jamraqui | November 14, 2009

made some remarks about the M1A by Fulton and mentioned I had bought the Titan. Interesting because mine has a charging handle on it. Also the 22" barrel but with the Cooley muzzle break. I saw your article in 2000 and it shows the cocking lever also. Guess I just got a one-off, but when ordered from FAR themself, there was no option for cocking levers. Thay all came with charging handles. It likes just about anything I have run through it, although most is hunting or match, no surplus and of course my reloads.

Comment by: trk3 | June 12, 2011

Just a bit to much for the Old Bears pocket book and like other Nam vets the M14 was ten times better then the metel toy M16. I hated having to us 2 30rnd mags to cut down the bush the VC was hiding behind when 1 rnd from the good old 14 and bad guy gone. God Bless America and Our Troops Past Present and Future. Keeping to My Oath Locked Loaded and Keeping My Powder Dry. Get the US Out of the UN and the UN Out of the US.

Comment by: bear1 | September 7, 2011

They have 4 models.

FAR-308 Phantom - MSRP $1,649.95 FAR-308 Phantom LTE - MSRP $1,699.95 FAR-308 Liberator - MSRP $1,749.95 FAR-308 Liberator LTE - MSRP $1,799.95

Comment by: njcountyofficer | September 8, 2011

I was really interested until I read the stock is the typical plastic (toy) stock, for this money I'll look around

Comment by: Sunaj | September 8, 2011

I would go with this rifle over the fulton:

http://www.dpmsinc.com/store/products/?prod=1999

Comment by: CRAZYMIKE | September 8, 2011

Nice but as a USMC Nam vet, I prefer the M14. It is solid and reliable. I never had a mis-feed or problem with mine. Compared to the M14, I hated the M16 Plastic Toy.

Comment by: E. GEORGE B | September 8, 2011

http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.c...ategory_id=257

http://www.fulton-armory.com/farifle...2-2-1-4-2.aspx

http://www.dpmsinc.com/store/products/?prod=4852

http://www.armalite.com/ItemForm.asp...0-49488ec48776

http://www.gaprecision.net/ga-precis...n-gap-10-.html

http://www.lesbaer.com/AR308.html

http://www.jprifles.com/1.2.5_LRP07.php

http://www.lwrci.com/p-120-repr.aspx

Fulton makes a great rifle, and unfortunately at today's prices 2 grand is right in there with the rest of them, here are some of the choices when I bought my AR10

Comment by: PH/CIB | September 8, 2011

AR10s (and clones thereof)do not have a forward assist. That was a U.S. Army add on to the M16, making it the M16A1. Interesting rifle though.

Comment by: ZG47 | September 8, 2011

You keep ignoring the KEL-TEC bull pup, etc. The PRICE of a rifle does not reflect the quality in today's world. ANYONE can build a good EXPENSIVE rifle, the challenge is to build an accurate, cheap, reliable, light rifle!!!!!

Comment by: longarm45 | September 8, 2011

Although the AR platform has a slight edge on the M1A/M14 in the accuracy department, I elected to purchase my AR-10 (DPMS LR-308 20" HBAR) because of the price difference. If I was going to spend two grand on a semi-auto 7.62, I would buy the M1A. I did spend one grand on my DPMS, added a free float tube and muzzle brake to it for another $150, and I get the same accuracy as noted in the article. I know that Fulton Armory does some fine work but I can't justify the cost. I'm the guy that buys a Savage model 10 for $650 that is just as accurate or more accurate than a $4000 custom rifle. Spending money on a rifle is just like shooting it... a well placed dollar is just as deadly as a big spender.

Comment by: Cpl Ski USMC | September 8, 2011

As a 4th Infantry Division Vietnam Vet, I too gravitated toward the 7.62x51mm cartridge and the M14 rifle. A while back, I was able to purchase a Springfield SOCOM 16 which is essentially a short barreled M1A. It's a great little "go to" rifle. Out of nostalgia, I also have a number of AR platforms in 5.56x45mm, but one of my favorites is my DPMS LR308. It's a bit heavier than the other ARs in my collection, but it certainly can reach out there very nicely. So.....I have two choices that I can turn to in 7.62x51mm, but wait..... I just recently came into possession of a Ruger Gunsite Scout, in .308 of course, and it is a real pleasing piece too. At any rate, I have finally relegated my Saiga .308 to the trunk of my car as a knock about, while the other pieces, to include my Savage M99 in .308, occupy cozy little nooks in my safes. It is safe to say that I really like caliber .308/7.62x51mm.....a lot.

Comment by: canovack | September 8, 2011

I know it's heresy here, but I just don't much enjoy shooting the 308 all day. It leaves a bruise, even with a 9lb (or more) gas gun. I prefer the 6.8 which, if you look at the Hornady LE site http://www.hornadyle.com/products/index8c95.html?sID=72 you can't hardly tell the ballistic gel tests of the 6.8 from those of the 308. To each his own, but a day of shooting (or carrying) a 6-1/2 lb AR15 is all good. It's easy to see why elements of .mil developed the 6.8x43.

Comment by: David C | September 8, 2011

what is delivery time from Credit Card hit to delivery date? How many mags come with the weapon? How much are additional mags? Are they available? What about any spare parts? Are spare parts interchangeable with say a Armalight, or DPMS, or ??

Comment by: Cava3r4 | September 9, 2011

Cava3r4,

Try Here:

http://www.fulton-armory.com/far-308-rifles.aspx

Comment by: njcountyofficer | September 9, 2011

Those that decry the AR platform as toys will never get over their own bias to see what has become THE gun in rifle competion including Camp Perry. It is not what you were first handed in Nam gentlemen. It is a tool. I like walnut and blued steel too, but I have come to love my ARs. They are all supper accurate and 100% reliable. In a phrase... get over it. As far as THIS gun I don't think you could go wrong. I bought an AR10(T) about 6 or 8 years ago and while it is way too heavy to consider a hunting gun, if all I have to do is get in a deer blind or anywhere else I am not walking around all day with it, it is a dream. If you need the oomph the .308 has it all over the 6.8 with heavier bullets, though with 120-150 the trajectories are nearly identical. My (T) model will put 5 shots into 1" @ 200 yards and I paid a heckuva lot less than $2K for it.

Comment by: Markbo | September 9, 2011

Gotcha loud and clear Markbo. Roger the cost factor.....My DPMS LR308 cost about $1050.00 and it handles and shoots great. And.....it isn't that much of a load to tote either. My SOCOM16 and SIG556 feel pretty much the same as my LR308, whether slung, at the ready, or in firing position.

Comment by: canovack | September 9, 2011

I LIKE GUNS. EACH HAS A PLACE AND PURPOSE. I VALUE RELIABILITY OVER ALL TRAITS IN A WEAPON. CAREER ARMY AND STARTED WTHH BAR, THEN M1, THEM M-14 AND FINALLY M 16-A1. BY TIME I WAS ISSUED MINE IN NAM BETTER CARTRIDGE, CHROME BORE, BOLT AND CLOSED FLASH SURPRESSOR. ONLY TIME IT EVER FAILED TO FIRE WAS WHEN SNIPER SHOT IT IN TWO DEAD CENTER ON BOLT. HIGH MAINTENANCE. CHECKED IT FREQUENTLY AND CARRIED LOTS OF SPARE PARTS. BUFFERS PRONE TO CRACK SO CLOSE EYE ON THEM. I WAS SHOT 4 TIMES WITH AK 47 WHICH REQUIRED TOTAL 13 MONTHS IN HOSPITAL BUT STILL HERE. 13 NVA ON OTHER END OF MY M-16 AIN'T HERE. ANY BULLET PUT IN RIGHT SPOT WORKS.I CARRIED 50 20 ROUND MAGS AND BAG OF LOOSE ROUNDS. WOULDA BEEN PRETTY HEAVY IF .308. EACH WEAPON HAS + AND -. KNOW THEM.THEY ALL WILL WORK. OLD SOLDIER 25TH/4TH ID HELPED THE 5TH SF OUT A BIT.

Comment by: cacti | September 10, 2011

Good for you, cacti! Thanks for your service, and welcome home, brother. I can't argue with a thing you say concerning choices of firearms. While I leaned toward the M14 in Vietnam, I fully appreciate the light, handy characteristics of the M16s. If I had spent more time on the ground and less time in the air, I would likely have seen the advantage of the M16 over the M14. Fired from a helicopter, the M14 comported itself pretty well, and in one instance I nailed an NVA troop with an M79 grenade launcher, hitting him with the intact HE round.....quite a spectacular reaction on target.

Comment by: canovack | September 10, 2011

My hat's off to my Vietnam veteran brothers, but I served in Beirut in 1983. All anyone remembers is the bombing (if that) but few know about the fighting we were involved in for months. Our problem was that we were in static defensive positions other than when on patrol (patrols were called off during heavy fighting) so when we were given the okay to shoot back, our targets were typically at long range... 600 - 1000 yards plus. The M-16A1 I carried was next to useless and firing crew served weapons required permission from "God" (very high command authority). The M-16A1 was not the weapon to have, the 5.56mm cartridge was not the right cartridge, and that problem has continued to surface again and again in Middle East operations. I'm not a fan of the 6.8SPC, it might be a larger bullet, but the ballistics let it down with 2400 - 2600fps muzzle velocities behind a 115 grain bullet. Again, lack of range and power. Take that 6.8 X 43 and extend that case to 47mm, get the muzzle velocity to 2900fps and you might have something, but in the meantime, 7.62 X 51 is THE cartridge and the AR-10 platform will deliver it with authority. As for carrying more ammo with the 5.56mm, LEARN TO SHOOT and you don't need 27,000 rounds to hit one target. Like CACTI says, any bullet in the right spot works, but getting it there is the job of the marksman, and the cartridge/rifle needs to be able to live up to the skills of the marksman.

Comment by: Cpl Ski USMC | September 12, 2011

I’ve been in Fulton Armory several times, and I can tell you for sure that if you need a nice, custom built M1a, M1 carbine or AR15, than you have found the right place. These are the guys to talk to. They really do a great job. They delivered a very nice M1a for me. I'm very happy with the purchase now. They also have a good selection on their website. The prices they propose are competitive and their customer service is great. The only thing I didn’t like was that their turnaround time is somewhat slow. But that's I guess because they do such a great service that the demand for their products is very high. Do business with them and you will definitively stay satisfied. George from http://ameriloansearch.com/

Comment by: George M. | January 31, 2012