Innehållsförteckning för Issue 12 från GUNS

The Italian government has decided: all members of national police forces could purchase and carry a personal pistol off duty without a gun licence. The decision immediately generated an outcry both from the politicai forces opposing the government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and from some important newspapers. The surprising thing is that most of those who railed against this measure confirmed once again that they were guilty of being misinformed. In Italy the same members of the national police force have always been authorized to carry the Service weapon for defense even when off duty seven days a week twentyfour hours a day. The government limited itself to collecting a request linked to the fact that the gun adopted by the Italian national police forces is in most…

An introduction is necessary: I don’t shoot muzzleloaders, but I appreciate beautiful and effective products, even more so when they come from manufacturers that I personally know and appreciate. I sitare the saying that you don’t need to be a chicken to understand if an egg is rotten… but it probably helps. Considering my limited knowledge of this kind of weapons, I sought help at the Galliate National Shooting Range, which is not only the location of many of our tests but also a meeting point for talented muzzleloading shooters, many of whom participate in national and international competitions. One category, three options After the recent modifications to the MLAIC (Muzzle Loaders Associations International Confederation) regulations, a shooter in the Kuchenreuter category now has three options when it comes to…

TEST AIRSOFT ARES LEE ENFIELD N°4 MK I* Airsoft replicas of World War II firearms have a large number of enthusiasts, much more than one might think. This is evidenced by the continuous introduction of replicas from that time period. Among the most reproduced is the Mauser 98K, and among the most anticipated was the Lee Enfield. In the last two years, at least two companies have produced replicas of this British rifle, both spring-powered and gaspowered. The latest to arrive is Ares, with three models: No. 4 MK1, No. 4 MK1 (T), and L42A1. These three products are part of the Classic section of Ares’ catalog. So, three versions of the Lee Enfield, with two of them being sniper rifles equipped with factory-mounted optics (replicas of the originals of…

Are the old 18.3/18.4 mm bored barrels better than the modern 18.6/18.8 mm overbored ones? How many times have we heard hunters debate this issue, dividing into factions and advocating the most diverse theories on what is the right recipe to make a barrel that offers more effective ballistics. What if we told you that, to achieve superior results, you can go even further than what has been considered for years as the unbreakable boundaries of shotgun ballistics? To tell the story of the latest revolutionary innovation introduced by Benelli in the field of smoothbore shotguns, let’s start with the surprising fact that characterizes the new path taken by the company’s engineers: the bore diameter, which for a 12-gauge shotgun stands at 19.7 mm. Yes, you read that correctly: 19.7…

The simplicity of the RFM SK R22 over/under shotgun is perhaps its greatest strength, as the overall design of an over/under cannot be drastically altered. The receiver is made from a solid block of forged triple-alloy steel; thè SK R22 features an antique silver finish adorned with a series of engravings by master engraver Luca Bertella, a long-time collaborator of RFM, and his signature can be found next to the trigger guard on the underside of the receiver. The engravings are quite elaborate and are described as “US-style”. In other words, they consist of a series of volutes where the play of light and shadow creates a pleasing effect. On both sides of the receiver, you can observe these engravings, which are smaller, longer, and have more lines in the…

The name Emtan may not be well-known to most gun enthusiasts, and that’s not particularly strange: it is, in fact, an Israeli company that has been designing and producing weapons for the Israeli armed forces for about 40 years. Until recently, for understandable reasons, the company always maintained an ultra-low profile, as its sole client was the Israeli government. However, for some time now, the company has decided to explore the military market of other countries and to open up to the civilian market as well. Its production, distinguished by ISO 9001 and AQAP 2110 certifications, boasts a series of rifles (also in “pistol” configuration with ultra-short barrels) based on the AR 15 platform in .223 Remington, 7.62x39, and .300 BLK. As for handguns, the company produces a Glock-compatible pistol…

Japan also has serious bear problems, particularly on the northern island of Hokkaido. Japan is home to two types: the Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) and the Ussuri bear (Ursus Arctos lasiotus). The latter lives only on the island of Hokkaido, sparsely populated and very rich in forests. It is estimated that there are between 6,500 and 10,000 specimens, an enormous number that endangers the normal life of the local inhabitants, considering that the Ussuri type can even reach 250 kilograms in weight and a height of over two meters. Humans are no longer perceived as a danger to bears, who have lost the habit of fear. There are many videos online in which bears fish for salmon in rivers just like those of Alaska and the Yukon. Years ago…

An eclipse is an astronomical event that has always fascinated and frightened humans. Scientifically, it involves the partial or total darkening of a celestial body due to the interposition of one or more bodies between it and a tight source. In the Sun-Earth-Moon System, two types of eclipses can occur: lunar and solar. In ancient times, eclipses evoked ancestral fears, but today we have a more disenchanted approach thanks to the use of telescopes and the numerous space voyages humanity has undertaken. Speaking of eclipses, it’s interesting how it was exploited by Christopher Columbus during one of his voyages: in 1503, in Jamaica, the natives, angered by the repeated thefts of supplies done by Columbus’ crew, threatened the Europeans. Columbus consulted the almanac and saw the imminent arrivai of a…

The APX is Beretta’s current flagship model when it comes to modern semi-automatic pistols designed for professional, military, and concealed carry use. Last year, the A1 version was introduced, which, while retaining all the key features of the original series, introduced some interesting ergonomie improvements. At this point, it is clear that the other versions of the family are also progressively being brought up to the A1 standard, starting with the Compact, which represents a smaller-sized alternative and is therefore suitable for both open and concealed carry How it’s made The Compact model retains all the qualities of the full-size A1, but with a significant size reduction. In particular, the barrel is 3.70” long compared to the full-size’s 4.25”, resulting in an overall length reduction from 192 to 177 mm.…

The arrival of the first Sig Sauer MCX Spear in Italy is an event that cannot go unnoticed. We are talking about the civilian version of what will be the new service rifle of the U.S. Army starting from 2024. It’s a rifle that shares some general design characteristics with Eugene Stoner’s legendary AR 10, but it significantly differs for its operating system and modularity. Furthermore, it has a truly eye-catching look. How it’s made The U.S. Army has adopted the rifle under the M7 designation. The military version is equipped with a 13-inch barrel and is chambered in 6.8x51, a “hybrid” caliber with a bimetallic case. However, the essential dimensions of this ammunition are compatible with standard .308 Winchester, and therefore, the rifle was initially marketed to civilian users…

The M1911 Match in .45 ACP is Tisas’ high-end 1911 model, while the 9 mm counterpart is called M1 Match. I first saw this pistol at EOS Show in Verona. Now, after having examined and fired it, I appreciate the materials and precision with which it is made, as well as its clean look. A pleasant surprise: unlike some high-end 1911s known for their tight tolerances, a wrench is not required to disassemble the bushing. Moreover, removing and repositioning the hold open lever is not problematic, and the initial slide pull requires a reasonable effort. This immediately improves the feel of the gun. The above might suggest a pistol with noticeable play between the components, like former military issued pistols. On the contrary, the fit between the frame and the…

The time period immediately following thè end of WWII represented a moment of profound crisis for firearms companies. With the cessation of hostilities, many companies found themselves without military contracts and, consequently, without profits and resources to maintain their workforce. This unique situation, however, also acted as a catalyst for innovative products, both for the military market (as the tactical experience of the recently concluded conflict had brought new generations of weapons to the forefront, from submachine guns to assault rifles) and the civilian market. In this regard, there was a fundamental division between the personal defense and the hunting segment, which was numerically more appealing. Vincenzo Bernardelli of Gardone Val Trompia, founded in 1865, already had a well-established production of hunting double-barreled shotguns and had contributed to the production…