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.

Bushmaster Patrolman's Carbine .223 Rem., $1230

We might have preferred leaving off the A2 carry handle and the vertical fore-end grip. But, the fit, finish, and trigger made this weapon our first choice.

Our Bushmaster Patrolman’s Carbine was yet another interpretation of the flat-top AR. The base price of this model was $1230 including the Fiberite Six Position adjustable stock and A2 front sight. But we picked several options to bring it into spec with our other carbines. A 4 Rail Free-Floater Forend (YHM-9479) was in place plus an Ergo Sure Grip (ARG- KIT). With another Ergo Sure Grip clamped to the bottom forend rail (ARG-FWD), we thought we were seeing double.

The forend grip could be placed anywhere along the bottom rail as long as it was far enough forward to clear the magazine. A large knob with a coin or screwdriver slot and knurled edges held the grip in place. With two pistol style grips in place, our stance took on a narrower profile. This would be especially advantageous when traveling down a hallway or taking cover in a tight space. The forend itself appeared to be fatter. This was because the rails were covered with slip-on Sure Grip rail covers featuring the Bushmaster logo, (SCH-6L). The rail covers created a smooth, rounded feel to the forend and increased its overall width by about 0.3 inches.

Another "optical illusion" was the A3-type removable carry handle, masking the true design of the receiver. The handle contained an A2 dual aperture rear sight with 1/2 minute of angle adjustment for both windage and elevation. There was also a hole in the carry handle for mounting a top rail. The carry handle/rear sight unit was held in place by two heavy knobs. This unit did not offer the same quick-change option afforded by the flip-up sights, but this unit was easy to take off and reapply. What it did offer was a very accurate sight picture. We also found that as long as the shooter maintained the original sight radius and returned the unit to the same position, taking it on and off had little or no effect on its zero.

The A2-style carry handle was standard equipment on this model, but there are at least three different flip-up rear sights to choose from on the http://www.bushmaster.com/ website. The muzzle was capped with another option, the Izzy Flash Suppressor/Compensator (IZ-102660). We wanted to find out if the Izzy would provide greater recoil control than the classic "birdcage" flash hider.

Seated at the shooting bench and performing a controlled press brought out the true nature of the trigger. There was no creep or grit at any point in the sweep of the Bushmaster’s trigger. The carry handle rear sight unit may not have offered the versatility of the flip-up sights, but there was far less compromise in attaining a fine sight picture. Shooting with the iron sights the Bushmaster favored the 62-grain rounds with groups averaging less than 1.5 inches across. With the Millett DMS-1 scope in place groups were measured in the one-inch range firing the heavier rounds. Shooting the Georgia Arms 55-grain FMJ rounds produced the best groups in the test varying in size from approximately 0.6 to 0.8 inches across.

Our rapid-fire tests taught us more about the capability of the carry handle sights. In our one-shot "draw and fire" drill, our elapsed time lagged behind the other carbines by about 0.15 seconds. Finding the aperture inside the carry handle was simply slower, but the hits were more accurate. Without making excuses for the setup of our Bushmaster, a close quarter battle can sometimes require the same type of precision needed on a more distant target. Especially in a situation where only a small target area such as an adversary’s exposed elbow or eye socket is available.

In our multiple targets rapid-fire drill, the refined trigger of the Bushmaster helped us land better hits, especially on head shots. The vertical grip did not necessarily make this drill any faster. But shooters who typically hold an AR by the front of the magazine well rather than the forend preferred the vertical grip in place. We felt that the Izzy compensator helped put us back on target quicker, but just how much was too difficult to quantify. The Izzy was not a full-blown compensator, but we noticed that our Bushmaster jumped less. With the versatility of the A3 design, the operator can have any sight picture or system they want on top of the receiver. Beneath its rail the Bushmaster XM A3 offered an excellent trigger and reliability.

Reader Comments

Kinda hard to envision this as a home defense weapon...

Comment by: KURT L. H | April 8, 2008

I have owned two Bushmaster carbines. The first one had a bolt separation failure after fewer than 1oo rounds. The readily visible metalurgical failure point at the keyway was undeniably a QC issue. My second Bushmaster carbine had a chamber that would not accept standard 5.56 or .223 ammo with any degree of reliability. I have since adopted the Armalite brand, and on two separate occasions, it has made the difference between life and death, for me.

Comment by: willy | April 8, 2008

I`ll stick with my Rock River Arms Entry Tactical.Being a flattop,my EOTECH co-witnesses with the flip-up rear and standard front sites perfectly.It`s more than accurate enough,too.

Comment by: aland | April 18, 2008

how is this as a varminter? what optics are recommended?

Comment by: TCole | May 7, 2008

I'm used to long barrel rifles for long distance shooting and I haven't used a short barrel for long distance shooting yet. I wonder what is the difference the two?

Comment by: none | June 2, 2008

I have had 2 Bushmasters' and now 4 DPMS Ar's. I like the fit on the DPMS and they are extremely accurate. On the other hand, I have never had any problems with either Brand.

Comment by: Glockman | August 6, 2010

TCole: Typically a varminting rifle has a longer barrel for best velocity and long range accuracy. I would not choose this for varminting. Willy: If you have had 2 life and death experiences recently(?) I recommend you change your habits or location.

And that forward Ergo grip??? Really??? It looks so out of place on the forend, it might as well have bailing wire and duct tape on it! Really? Ergo can't make one with that belongs on the front of an AR??? Oh want... they DO! This is just another example of Gun Tests pulling a 3 year old article out of the back pages. This model has been replaced already and ERGO makes some fine forward grips.

Comment by: Markbo | August 7, 2010

I like the look of this rifle but not the price.

Comment by: Sharps | August 12, 2010