If someone were to ask you which products Colt has sold over the years, would you say a .22 semiautomatic rifle? I didn’t think you would. Colt made three versions of .22 rifles, the Courier, Colteer and Stagecoach, as well as others under several private-label names for Sears, Wards and other companies. This alloy rifle shot well, but did not hold up well. Unless it was kept oiled and clean, the alloy parts wore very rapidly. In spite of this, the little Colt rifles were good enough lightweight shooters that most owners will pay to get them fixed rather than discard theirs.

Introduced in 1963, the Remington Model 1100 shotgun has been around for over 40 years now. Variations include a sporter for field shooting, a Magnum version for ducks and geese, as well as a skeet and trap model for those who enjoy breaking clay targets. In all, there have been well over 3,500,000 Model 1100s produced over this period of time so you are bound to see one (or more) come across your bench. In this article, I’ll cover some of the common problems that result in ejection failures along with a few of the possible glitches that aren’t seen very often. And, of course, I’ll examine the cures that will help you get this shotgun back in service as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Check out several videos this week: Close quarter defense requires different tactics than defense from a distance. Pillar bedding is the process of installing aluminum columns in a rifle stock to ensure there is perfect metal-to-metal contact between the action and bottom metal. Gunsite Range Master Il Ling New demonstrates the how to properly load and unload your firearm.

What's ahead for the midterms? Jeff Knox at The Firearms Coalition says, 'There might be a few Democrats who haven't been able to bring themselves to declare support for the Second Amendment, but the official party line is broad support for the constitutional right, while interpreting it in the narrowest terms, and doing all they can to undermine and dismantle it.' As for the other party, 'Republicans, on the other hand, are generally supportive of the right to arms, but few of them have any more understanding of the issue than do the Democrats. They definitely lack the resolve and the backbone to vigorously oppose the Democrats' attacks on the Constitution and the President's appointments of radical extremists to the courts and high level government positions.'

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Benelli SuperNova No. 20115 MAX-4 HD Camo 12 Gauge Pump

Courtesy, Gun Tests

The Benelli SuperNova has plenty going for it; the ComforTech system being a revolutionary concept in recoil suppression; a three-tube choke system; and an ergonomic design and polymer coating that lent it the function and feel of an excellent hunting gun. Downsides: An unnecessarily heavy trigger, rudimentary sights, and no specialty turkey choke.

NORWALK, CT--Gun Tests Magazine has named the Benelli SuperNova MAX-4 HD Camo12 Gauge as the publication’s “Best in Class” Shotgun for 2009.

The pumpgun joins a Taurus wheelgun, a 9mm pistol from S&W, and a Browning 7mm Mag. bolt action as the magazine’s “Best in Class” 2009 honorees.

More specifically, the “Best in Class” shotgun for 2009 was the Benelli SuperNova No. 20115 MAX-4 HD Camo 3.5-inch 12 Gauge Pump, $599. It was originally reviewed in the September 2009 issue of Gun Tests.

“All the 'Best' guns are A or A+ choices,” said Gun Tests Publisher Timothy H. Cole, referring to the magazine’s Report Card scoring system, which ranks guns from A+ down to a failing grade of F. Cole said only about 20% of all guns tested by the magazine get a “buy it” grade of A or B.

Gun Tests Editor Todd Woodard said, “Our testers praised the SuperNova, saying it shot flawlessly and swung smoothly and steadily. Our only initial peeve was the trigger, promptly attended to by Benelli at no charge. The team said the Benelli is an outstanding slide-action waterfowl gun.”

Other excerpts from the story included:

“The SuperNova’s stock was shim-adjustable for cast and drop. Having the stock easily adjustable for drop and cast with the included shims is an excellent addition—and something included on no other slide-action shotgun made today that

Courtesy, Gun Tests

With the action fully open on the Benelli, it is easy to appreciate how well fitted the forearm is to the receiver. The molded in grooves on the SuperNova gave us a secure, comfortable gripping surface.

“Elsewhere, the Benelli’s action was buttery smooth.”

“Also, we found the Benelli to be nicely balanced, and smooth swinging.”

“The overall build quality of the Supernova is extremely well done. The camo finish was without flaws, attractive and well-applied. The smooth way the barrel extension locks into the receiver screams quality and expert machining. The molded-in ridges on the stock felt good in the hands, offering a comfortable and functional gripping surface.”

“The more time we spent with the SuperNova, the more we liked it.”

Cole said, “Gun Tests doesn’t accept advertising, so consumers can have confidence that our Best in Class picks are the results of head-to-head evaluations by our teams--and not influenced by anything else.”

For more information on Gun Tests magazine, log on to www.gun-tests.com.

The Benelli shot flawlessly, comfortably, swung smoothly and steadily. Our only initial peeve was the trigger, promptly attended to by Benelli at no charge. It is an outstanding 3.5-inch slide-action waterfowl gun.

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