Don’t give up if a replacement firing pin is unavailable from your catalog suppliers. Instead, use these tips to solve the problem.

Here are all the items tested in Gun Tests magazine from 2011 back through 1999.

The group Media Matters for America hates NRA. Few organizations have more strongly proclaimed their disdain for our right to keep and bear arms and self-protection, says the NRA-ILA.

Lethal Force Institute’s Massad Ayoob gives a lesson on what to do if you are stopped with firearms in your vehicle. These essential tips will teach you how to safely interact with police when carrying a firearm while driving. (3:47).

Gun Reports - News

Courtesy, Gun Tests Magazine

The 300 Whisper puts a 30-caliber bullet downrange with less effort, noise, and recoil than that of a 223 round.

Gun Tests Magazine Selects SSK Industries’ 300 Whisper AR-15 As 2011 “Best in Class Rifle”

The AR-style rifle joins a Kel-Tec PMR-30 22 Mag. pistol, a 12-gauge autoloading shotgun from Legacy Sports International, and Ruger’s 38 Sp. Lightweight Compact Revolver LCR as the magazine’s “Best in Class” 2011 honorees.

Every December, Gun Tests’ Editor Todd Woodard surveys the work of the magazine’s staff over the previous 12 months to select around 15 Guns of the Year (GOTY) and accessory choices. From those GOTY pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns, and accessories, the staff chooses the magazine’s “Best in Class” winners.

Gun Tests Publisher Timothy H. Cole said, “Despite the long-standing availability of the AR-10, 30-caliber semi-automatic rifles continue to be less popular than the 5.56mm/223 Rem. AR-15s. We were interested in finding a good 30-caliber carbine to recommend to our readers.”

The $1300 rifle was originally reviewed in the November 2011 issue of Gun Tests.

Woodard said, “Once we had the chance to fire the 300 Whisper, we realized that it was at least two weapons in one, or maybe two cartridges in one. With 208-grain Hornady ammunition, the sensation was more like firing an air rifle. We were actually more aware of the recoil buffer spring than the blast itself.”

Roger Eckstine, who wrote the November Gun Tests article, said, “The 300 Whisper will allow you to put a 30-caliber bullet downrange with less effort, noise, and recoil than that of a 223 round. Firing subsonic ammunition, it was hard to believe the lack of recoil, yet the same gun could be used to fire rounds producing more than 1300 ft.-lbs. of energy.”

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

Reader Comments

30 cal, quiet, low recoil. Seems interesting. I may have to look for more info. Any of you guys have or have used one?

Comment by: david b | January 5, 2012

'Cute.....but I'll still have to be convinced that I need this in addition to my batteries of 7.62x51mm/.308 and 5.56x45mm/.223.

Comment by: canovack | January 5, 2012

very interested in 300 whisper, concerned about performance as subsonic, which is also primary attraction for me.Have good coverage from 300 Wheatherby and 300H&H to 223 and 22 Hornet but would like AR15 Whisper in 260-270 range if feasible.Will it perform ?

Comment by: JDIII | January 5, 2012

Canovack - I guess idle curiosity, edification, and enhancing one's firearms curriculum vitae aren't reason enough?

Comment by: PVB | January 6, 2012

PVB, you are patently correct. All of the reasons you cited are reason enough to purchase. Right now, though, I am trying to keep from proliferating calibers among my collection. In rifles, that means I am trying to limit myself to 7.62x51mm/.308 and 5.56x45mm/.223 for purposes of logistical support. I believe I will be better served, in the long run, by stockpiling ammo in those two calibers, than if I have a bunch of different calibers.

Comment by: canovack | January 6, 2012

Canovack - I agree. I have mostly .308, .30-'06, and .30 Carbine. I have a little more proliferation on the handgun side, and keeping up with "Paragraph 4" is tough enough as it is. Any time I consider a new caliber, I look at all the dies, ammo, and empty brass I already have.

No 5.56 for me though (eventually - since ammo is less expensive than the .30's). I always thought the M-16 was a bear to clean, had forgotten that, and began waxing nostalgic until I cleaned a friend's AR...

Comment by: PVB | January 6, 2012

PVB, I agree that it's harder to standardize on calibers with handguns. I have always been a big fan of .45 ACP, but I have a couple of .40s, some 9x19mm, .357 Mag, .38 Spl, .44 Mag, .45 Colt, and my current favorite .357 SIG. I don't count the .22s since I have lots of rifles, pistols, and revolvers in .22. I should also comment, here, that I have a number of rifles in 7.62x39mm from the craze that we endured several years ago.

Comment by: canovack | January 6, 2012

Canovack - no 9mm here, except for my .357 Blackhawk convertible. Like you, I'm mostly a .45 fan, with some of the others as well. I do not own a .357 Sig, though I have shot it, and found it quite enjoyable. I think the .40 S&W is great, and my fondness for the .44 Special grows every time I shoot my 3", round butt, Model 24. My favorite caliber probably depends on my mood...

Comment by: PVB | January 6, 2012

Well, I'd guess that when we get to the point we are with accumulating firearms, PVB, there just might be something to be said for mood. My wife takes great pleasure in kidding with me as I stand before my safe.....contemplating what handgun I am going to carry on any given day. She says that the females have nothing on me when it comes to trying to decide what they are going to wear.

Comment by: canovack | January 6, 2012

Oh yeah, PVB, while I have a number of 9mm pistols, I rarely carry them, except for my Kahr PM9 back-up to whatever major piece I happen to be carrying. I hang onto those 9s though, because when/if things get seriously rough, 9x19mm being a military caliber, should see enough ammo to get through to whatever conclusion might be reached.

Comment by: canovack | January 6, 2012

Canovack - of course, the other advantages to the 9mm for those of us who believe in .40 and over are cheaper ammo for centerfire practice (which provides yet another excuse to buy yet another 1911) and less recoil for comparably sized guns.

Comment by: PVB | January 6, 2012

I had fired at lease 50 rounds and this is a beautiful rifle. She is a cold hearted B*tch but she shoots great.

Comment by: Molon Labe | January 6, 2012

Molon Labe - please explain for me what your idea of a cold hearted B*tch rifle is. I have to guess, and that's not good information about something as important as a firearm. Now, if you were talking about women, I wouldn't be asking....

Comment by: david b | January 7, 2012

1300 ft.lbs of energy aint bad...at the MUZZLE. But it still doesnt come close to 5,56/7.62? Ammo would be scare for a "go to" BOR

Comment by: Myk9noseKnows | January 8, 2012

Õàé âñåì çàõîäèòå íà íàø ñàéò, åãî òàê ëåãêî çàïîìíèòü, íà íåì Âû íàéäåòå ãðîìàäíóþ êîëëåêöèþ ôèëüìîâ, âñåõ æàíðîâ è íàïðàâëåíèé êèíî . Åæå÷àñíûå îáíîâëåíèÿ, ñòàðûå, äîêóìåíòàëüíûå, îòå÷åñòâåííûå è çàðóáåæíûå ôèëüìû âñåõ æàíðîâ. Ðàé äëÿ êèíîìàíîâ. Òîëüêî ëó÷øåå, òîëüêî äëÿ Âàñ!!!

Comment by: gramegoaxia | April 4, 2012

Õàé âñåì çàõîäèòå íà íàø ñàéò, åãî òàê ëåãêî çàïîìíèòü, íà íåì Âû íàéäåòå ãðîìàäíóþ êîëëåêöèþ ôèëüìîâ, âñåõ æàíðîâ è íàïðàâëåíèé êèíî . Åæå÷àñíûå îáíîâëåíèÿ, ñòàðûå, äîêóìåíòàëüíûå, îòå÷åñòâåííûå è çàðóáåæíûå ôèëüìû âñåõ æàíðîâ. Ðàé äëÿ êèíîìàíîâ. Òîëüêî ëó÷øåå, òîëüêî äëÿ Âàñ!!!

Comment by: gramegoaxia | April 4, 2012

Õàé âñåì çàõîäèòå íà íàø ñàéò, åãî òàê ëåãêî çàïîìíèòü, íà íåì Âû íàéäåòå ãðîìàäíóþ êîëëåêöèþ ôèëüìîâ, âñåõ æàíðîâ è íàïðàâëåíèé êèíî . Åæå÷àñíûå îáíîâëåíèÿ, ñòàðûå, äîêóìåíòàëüíûå, îòå÷åñòâåííûå è çàðóáåæíûå ôèëüìû âñåõ æàíðîâ. Ðàé äëÿ êèíîìàíîâ. Òîëüêî ëó÷øåå, òîëüêî äëÿ Âàñ!!!

Comment by: gramegoaxia | April 4, 2012

Õàé âñåì çàõîäèòå íà íàø ñàéò, åãî òàê ëåãêî çàïîìíèòü, íà íåì Âû íàéäåòå ãðîìàäíóþ êîëëåêöèþ ôèëüìîâ, âñåõ æàíðîâ è íàïðàâëåíèé êèíî . Åæå÷àñíûå îáíîâëåíèÿ, ñòàðûå, äîêóìåíòàëüíûå, îòå÷åñòâåííûå è çàðóáåæíûå ôèëüìû âñåõ æàíðîâ. Ðàé äëÿ êèíîìàíîâ. Òîëüêî ëó÷øåå, òîëüêî äëÿ Âàñ!!!

Comment by: gramegoaxia | April 4, 2012