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.

Gun Reports - News

Gun Tests magazine, sister magazine to GunReports.com, has restarted its ammunition testing program after a three-year hiatus

(GunReports.com)—Gun Tests magazine, sister magazine to GunReports.com, has a new ammunition test in the April 2010 issue. Gun Tests editor Todd Woodard said that ongoing reader asks prompted the first ammo test since 2006.

"We listen to our readers. When they keeping asking me for something, I respond," Woodard said. "Ammo testing has taken a back seat to guns for a couple of years now, but with the skyrocketing cost of ammo and the availability problems, finding the right load for your rifle or handgun has become more important."

The most recent article is Bob Campell's +P 45 ACP ammunition comparison coming in the April 2010 issue.

Tested rounds in the +P 45 ACP piece include:

• Speer Gold Dot 200-grain No. 23969, $23.99/20
• Cor-Bon Self-Defense JHP 230-grain SD45230, $29.48/20
• Black Hills 230-grain +P D45N6, $49.99/50
• Remington Golden Sabre 185-grain GS45ACP, $26.79/25
• Cor-Bon PowRBall 165-grain PB45165, $30.14/20
• Cor-Bon Self-Defense JHP 185-grain SD45185, $29.48/20
• Cor-Bon DPX 185-grain DPX45185, $40.94/20
• Federal Premium 185-grain HydraShok P45HS2G, $35/50
• Winchester SXT 230-grain, $25.49/20

Other Gun Tests ammunition articles include:

September 2006: Light .38 Special Self-Defense Loads: We Pick Remington

March 2006: Four 9mm Heavy Hollowpoints: We Would Buy Speer’s Gold Dot

November 2005: .45 Auto Frangible Loads: Our Pick Is Winchester Ranger

May 2005: Self-Defense .38 Spl. +P Loads: Our Pick Is Winchester’s SXT

March 2005: 9mm +P and +P+ Cartridges: Winchester & Remington Win

February 2005: Self-Defense .45 GAP Loads: None Have Everything We Want

October 2004: ‘Survivor’ Bullet Testing: .45 ACP 230-Grain Hollowpoints

The Gun Tests full ammo-testing protocol is available on a free section of Gun-Tests.com. Click here to see it.

It's also loaded as a Special Report on GunReports.com. Click here to see it.

Reader Comments

How about rating 223 ammo??

Comment by: jcplacencia | August 13, 2010