Rifles Archives - The K-Var Armory

Gun Test: Savage Model 12 – A True Tack Driver

Savage Arms offers a number of affordable rifles beginning with the Savage Axis and the impressive Axis II. The Savage Model 12 is a formidable rifle that may be called a rifle for shooters rather than hunters. The machining and heat-treating of the receiver are a step above that of other Savage bolt-action rifles. The bolt is more massive and features opposed locking lugs. Bolt lift is 90 degrees. A feature I particularly like is the oversize bolt handle. The rifle’s bolt and receiver are impressive for those with an eye to quality. [Read more…] about Gun Test: Savage Model 12 – A True Tack Driver

Let’s Go Plinking! — A Boy and His .22 Rifle

While not as long in the tooth as some, I have fond memories from childhood, plinking my way through the hills and forests. Pinecones were trophy bucks, man-eating tigers, and unsuspecting enemy soldiers. The end of a branch or piece of hanging fruit were no safer, most were members of a hostile Indian tribe unlucky enough to have crossed paths the Duke and me. [Read more…] about Let’s Go Plinking! — A Boy and His .22 Rifle

Adding a Precision Stock to Your AR-15

Precision stocks allow you to shoot better—by that I mean not only more accurately but also more comfortably and at longer ranges. Being comfortable means less effort to send one on target at long range. Two precision stocks, the Magpul PRS Gen3 and the American Built Arms USS, are good examples of precision stocks purpose-built to hang off your AR’s receiver extension or buffer tube. [Read more…] about Adding a Precision Stock to Your AR-15

The Gallery Gun Reimagined: Henry Pump Octagon

The pump action is as American as a gun design gets. While most prolific in just about every modern shotgun, pump-action rifles were, and are still, out there. One of the most prolific was the old Winchester Model 1890 that came in a number of .22 caliber rimfire chamberings. Once synonymous with shooting galleries and small game getting for decades, the pump .22 has fallen by the wayside. However, the Henry Pump Octagon rifle is looking to change that. [Read more…] about The Gallery Gun Reimagined: Henry Pump Octagon

SHTF Guns — Have You Thought Through Your Choices?

The SHTF gun means many things to many people. Having actually taken incoming fire and proven I cannot stop a bullet, I have a different idea than the casually interested. Planning for an apocalyptic nightmare seems a popular pastime—especially for cinematic writers. Just the same there are times when the need may be real. [Read more…] about SHTF Guns — Have You Thought Through Your Choices?

Review: Ruger American .450 Bushmaster — The Deer Slayer’s Rifle

Many of us can trace back at least one of our first shooting experiences to a Ruger firearm. Typically, it’s a Ruger 10/22 (.22 Long Rifle). This was the case for me back in the 1980s. I’ve always respected Ruger as a quality/affordable manufacturer. However, I really hadn’t shot anything new from Ruger until two years ago when I bought my wife a Ruger LCP (.380) as her CCW gun. This all began when I was introduced to the marketing team at Ruger. I was particularly interested in its Ruger American .450 Bushmaster. Not only is this caliber gaining popularity in Michigan and Ohio for deer hunters, but it’s quickly becoming popular with guides and hunters across the U.S. [Read more…] about Review: Ruger American .450 Bushmaster — The Deer Slayer’s Rifle

.300 Savage Cartridge and Savage 99 Rifle — The Forgotten .30

Among my favorite cartridges is a hard hitting, accurate, and soft-kicking number known as the .300 Savage. The .300 Savage has been chambered in the Savage 99 lever action rifle most famously, but also a number of bolt action rifles. Among these is an early Savage rifle that is the model for the modern Kimber bolt action. [Read more…] about .300 Savage Cartridge and Savage 99 Rifle — The Forgotten .30

Review: Windham Weaponry SRC-308

I was excited to test the new Windham Weaponry WW-308 (MSRP $1,708, but K-Var’s price is under $1,250). I have shot 223/5.56 AR-15s ever since I was 13 years old, but had never really had a chance to try out the AR-15s big brother (often referred to as the AR-10). The real treat was trying this rifle platform out with Windham Weaponry, a company rich in AR-15 history. [Read more…] about Review: Windham Weaponry SRC-308

The Skill of Rifle Marksmanship

The primary goal of marksmanship is being able to hit what we are aiming at. Your purpose may be simple target shooting, hunting, or personal defense. Whatever the goal, a great deal of practice is needed. For most of American history, rifle marksmanship has been an essential skill, and it remains so today. [Read more…] about The Skill of Rifle Marksmanship

Gun Test: Zastava .22 Rifle

A good quality, .22 caliber bolt-action rifle, such as the Zastava MP22, is among the best firearms available for all shooters and those who love the outdoors. It is suitable for training, recreational shooting, small game hunting, and general outdoors duty. The .22 caliber rifle is easy to use well, and practice is cheap. There is no harsh recoil to intimidate young shooters. [Read more…] about Gun Test: Zastava .22 Rifle

CZ 455 Varmint and Trainer .22 LR Rifles

I fired my first .22 caliber rifle at perhaps 10 years old. I have been through many rifles always upgrading the .22. The .22 offers excellent economy and is the place where we should all start. The .22 is also the place we should go when we are having marksmanship issues. Today, one of my favorite .22 LR offerings is the CZ 455 series. [Read more…] about CZ 455 Varmint and Trainer .22 LR Rifles

Take Your Vepr AK Hunting!

American and Western soldiers have been facing the wrong end of a Kalashnikov rifle for better than half-a-century. The AK-47 is effective as a battle rifle, just as the Remington 700, Winchester Model 70, and Modern Sporting Rifle are. So, if you would take the last three hunting, why not the AK? And, if the Molot Vepr catches on, the North American cervid population may reap a similar whirlwind soldiers have, as the new AK chambers multiple calibers suitable for all big-game in the lower 48. [Read more…] about Take Your Vepr AK Hunting!

Review: IWI Tavor X95 — Bullpup Bliss

I know there are numerous reviews and videos regarding the IWI Tavor X95 (a favorite of mine comes from Tim at Military Arms Channel). So, this review is in no way seeking to replace any of those reviews. However, as an “average joe” shooter I want to tell you that this thing is fun, and accurate, to shoot. [Read more…] about Review: IWI Tavor X95 — Bullpup Bliss

Four Guns You Should Own

When I first started buying guns, I looked to fill categories. I needed a handgun, hunting rifle, and a shotgun. Next, I looked for a military rifle, something that was historic and battle proven. Next, I broke the handgun category to a revolver and a semi-automatic. The hunting rifle quickly expanded to rimfire, big game and varmint rifles. However you decide to select your next gun, here are four guns every shooting enthusiast should own. [Read more…] about Four Guns You Should Own

CMP: M1 Garand Release — Update

Last week, K-Var’s The Armory ran an article regarding the U.S. Army’s release of 100,000 M1 Garand rifles to the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP). Several of you expressed great interest in owning one of these fine shooting pieces of history and requested that more details be forwarded along as soon as they became available. Here is the full story straight from the CMP. [Read more…] about CMP: M1 Garand Release — Update

CMP Begins Release of 100,000 M1 Garand Rifles!

Recently, The Armory reported on President Trump’s order to start releasing the government stockpile of 1911s to the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP). Several of you left your email and asked to be informed as soon as the CMP began taking orders. Now we have news on the M1 Garand to add to the mix. [Read more…] about CMP Begins Release of 100,000 M1 Garand Rifles!

Fire Control for AK Rifles and Shotguns

Do you have an AK rifle or shotgun that you absolutely love, but a trigger that you hate? That has been the dilemma far too many AK owners have faced for years, but it does not have to be. The engineering minds at the FIME Group have been working to create high quality fire control parts that will not only have the potential to up your shooting experience—nothing beats a smooth trigger—but also improve your AK’s accuracy. [Read more…] about Fire Control for AK Rifles and Shotguns

Ride the Federal 224 Valkyrie!

The Federal 224 Valkyrie! Traditionalists will howl: “Another unnecessary creation! It doesn’t do anything a half-dozen rifle cartridges don’t already do.” They are wrong! What the Valkyrie does is keep a .224 bullet stabilized and supersonic to 1,000 yards or slightly beyond. If I’m not mistaken, no other commercially loaded .224 centerfire currently does that. This makes the 224 Valkyrie a potential, long-range, Precision Rifle Series round that promises better than average barrel life and virtually no recoil compared to the 6.5 Creedmoor. Handload it and the small powder capacity of the Valkyrie case (roughly 24 grains of powder) combined with smaller bullets should keep costs down, too. [Read more…] about Ride the Federal 224 Valkyrie!

A Closer Look At The Molot Sanctions

While walking around SHOT Show this year, I couldn’t help but see the ads running for the Last of Molot and directing me to Booth 11217. With the prospect of the promise of free patch and a chance to check out the last of the VEPR’s, I couldn’t resist. As many of you know, this year the federal government put the final nail in the coffin for anyone wanted access to quality Russian firearms. The question is, “Why and how did we get here?” [Read more…] about A Closer Look At The Molot Sanctions

New Rifles for 2018

January 23, 2018, signaled the beginning of the largest gun show in the world—the Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show. Unfortunately, admission requires a Federal Firearms License (FFL), media, manufacturer status or something similar, so it is not open to the general public. Fortunately, we have a front row ticket to deliver the hottest new rifles for 2018! [Read more…] about New Rifles for 2018