 Everyone is raving about Sig's new P322 in 22LR! It was completely designed and built at their New Hampshire facility and comes loaded with premium features: aluminum slide on a polymer frame, two 20-round magazines (plus a mag loader), fiber optic iron-sights, a threaded barrel with 1/2x28 adapter, a robust hammer-fire mechanism, interchangeable trigger shoes and an optic-ready removable rear sight plate so you can easily add a ROMEOZero red dot optic without the use of adapter plates. Ambidextrous controls ice the cake and make it ideally suited for north and south paws alike. Though some will balk at the manual safety, in an increasingly litigating world you never know when that might save your butt. Personally I like safeties.
Though the P322 is a handsome bugger, I'm of the school that thinks 22LR pistols should be scaled to the diminutive size of the round to make them truly useful as ultra-discreet carry weapons - think Ruger Bearcat, the Rossi Princess, the Budischowski TP 70, the Walther TPH, the Beretta 21A and a handful of other gems of engineering. If I was going to carry a polymer pistol of this P322 size, it would be a 45ACP - so when I see full size 22LR pistols like this I only think of long afternoons of inexpensive shooting fun at the range, not EDC. Folks say full size 22LR pistols make excellent trainers for their centerfire counterparts but I can't entirely agree: I think we should train with what we carry, period. But I'm also not one to sniff at the potency of the 22LR. I've shot it all my life and seen it's capabilities in the field. It's a dastardly little round that's all too often derided by the caliber snobs. When I hear someone at the range pooh pooh the 22LR as inadequate for self defense I jokingly tell them go stand over there with an apple on their head - of course nervous laughter always ensues. 22LR should never be mistaken for or regarded as having BB potency, it's a deadly and amply proven cartridge. My only reservation with it for self defense is issues with reliability in semi-autos chambered for it...but by all accounts the new P322 from Sig has that in spades so this may truly be a game changer! The golden mean for 22LR semi-autos is to produce revolver-dependability in a high capacity pistol utilizing easy load magazines that feed 100% of the time. If Sig has genuinely done that then the P322 is a premium candidate for EDC. Check it out on their WEBSITE. MSRP (or, Minimum Advertised Price) is $399 but expect higher in this binge market.  No wonder they're always sold out - sporting the full works of desirable customizations there's probably no bigger bang for your buck on the American handgun market! This from the PSA WEBSITE:
The Palmetto Dagger is feature-rich even in its standard form, yet also provides a framework for further customization, as it is highly compatible with many aftermarket offerings. The new Extreme Carry Cuts offer smoother edges to the rear and front of the slide to help with faster drawing without snagging the user's holster. The slide is also finished with a Gray Cerakote coating and RMR footprint for compatibility with RMR style reflex sights. A black cover plate is also included. The PSA Dagger SW1 Slide features optics cut positioned behind the front and rear sight offering the perfect co-witness sight picture. The milled windows on the left and right sides of the slide create an enhanced look and feel, to the already distinguished design of the PSA Dagger, while also reducing the overall weight of your pistol. Made from high-quality stainless steel and advanced polymers, this threaded pistol lives up to today's highest expectations while maintaining the unmatched Palmetto State Armory value. Chambered in 9x19mm, the Palmetto Dagger is fed from a supplied PMAG 15 GL9 (15-Round) magazine and operated by a smooth single-action striker-fired trigger mechanism. Ships in Palmetto State Armory Soft Pistol Case.   Threaded barrel coming mid 2022 Keystone's miniature .22lr version of the classic Mosin-Nagant 9130 Rifle (used by the Russians in WWII) has been available since 2018. The first batch of 500 came in their own green wooden crate to replicate their original form of packaging and transport. The Mini Mosin has a 20″ barrel, precision-machined to ensure the durability and accuracy that is normally reserved for the “big guns”. The action is based on the proven, safe, single-shot Crickett design and has a straight-handled bolt, just like the original Mosin Nagant.
This Mini Mosin appears to be a 50% scaled-down replica and is chambered in America’s favorite round (.22lr). Now kids can shoot their own version of Mom and Dad’s cool military firearms...or, as I suspect, collectors will have grabbed most of them up just for the novelty factor. Allegedly they have all the accuracy of the Keystone Cricketts which have been so popular with young shooters. With the first 500 long sold, this is a continuation of the line and it is the first in a series of “Mini Mil-Surp” WWII rifles Keystone will produce over the coming years: the next two models to be released are the Mini Carbine Mosin M38 and the Mini Springfield 1903. Due to the current conflict perhaps they'll bring out the Springfield 1903 next to remain aligned with popular sentiments? Anyway, the new Mini Carbine Mosin M38 will apparently be available around the middle of 2022 and will feature a 16.125″ threaded barrel with thread protector. These sweet little rifles are available online now. $479 is the MSRP but online prices seem to average $100 less. Here's the page on the Keystone WEBSITE.  Springfield Armory releases a full-size version of it's successful Hellcat compact and sub-compact series pistols. With 15 rounds and more grip to get a hold of, the PRO gives fans of the platform something closer akin to a duty pistol. This from their WEBSITE:
Combining the performance of a larger handgun with class-leading concealability and capacity, the new Hellcat® Pro is a compact pistol chambered in 9mm that offers 15+1 capacity in a smaller footprint than any other gun in its class. Optics ready and equipped with a versatile accessory rail and hammer forged barrel, this exceptional everyday carry pistol delivers the perfect balance. The Hellcat® Pro packs in an impressive 15 + 1 capacity with the flush-fitting magazine while maintaining its ergonomic, slim profile. The result is a pistol that carries more capacity in a smaller footprint than any other gun in its class. Designed to offer the best of both worlds, the Hellcat Pro delivers full-size performance in a concealable, EDC-ready package. The slim-line grip feels superb in hand, increasing contact and control, while the additional mass in the slide and barrel translates into reduced muzzle flip and faster follow-up shots. Designed with the use of red dot optics in mind, the Hellcat® Pro features an OSP™ (Optical Sight Pistol) configuration. The slide is milled with the Springfield Micro™ footprint, designed to accept the smallest, most popular micro red dots on the market. Ensuring you can mount the light or laser of your choice on the Hellcat® Pro, the pistol features a versatile Picatinny rail on the dustcover portion of the frame. This longer section of rail provides users the flexibility to deploy a wide range of accessories. The ability to quickly locate your front sight is crucial for fast and accurate shot placement. The Hellcat® Pro features a high visibility tritium & luminescent front sight paired with a Tactical Rack U-Dot™ rear sight for intuitive and easy target acquisition in all lighting conditions. Ensuring maximum control over the pistol, the Hellcat® Pro features a custom pressure activated grip texture on the frame with a pattern of staggered pyramid shapes. The taller pyramids have a flattened top to ensure comfort in the waistband and minimal wear on clothing. The shorter pyramids come to a point and lock into your hand when the pistol is firmly engaged. The Hellcat Pro is built on the rock-solid foundation of the highly respected Hellcat micro 9mm, the recipient of numerous accolades and awards. Carry with confidence knowing the Hellcat platform is one of the most awarded EDC pistols of all time. Comes with 3.7" hammer-forged barrel, front and top slide serrations, reversible mag release, loaded chamber indicator, Melonite finsh and two 15-round mags.  The all-metal M712 is not only a faithful reproduction of the Broom Handle Mauser but it's unusual for it's lack of plastic. Most modern air weapons incorporate an excessive amount of the stuff and though modern polymers are sturdy, they don't have the feel of die-cast zinc alloys. The pistol comes with a switch that allows you to select standard semi-auto or full-auto and the latter is extremely rapid. The Schnellfeuer (German for fast or rapid fire) pistol was produced from 1932 to 1936 and the Umarex Legends M712 incorporates that same full-auto feature into this impressive reproduction of the original - believe me when I say you’ll blow through an 18-round magazine in a matter of seconds!
The M712 houses a CO2 capsule in the magazine, and has a blowback action that captures the complex mechanics of the original pistol. The M712 guarantees to bring a grin to your face every time you pull that full-auto trigger so make sure you buy plenty of ammo and set up a target with a carpet backdrop to catch the BB’s. In my opinion this pistol makes a great preemptive home defense weapon for people who aren’t keen on splattering their home with the blood of an intruder only to find it was a drunk neighbor entering the wrong home, or an unarmed teenager from down the block. A neighbor of mine (a Vietnam veteran and pretty jumpy) once told me he almost shot his son one night when he heard the door open in the wee small hours. His son had been partying in the neighborhood and was too drunk to drive home. I remember my veteran friend was pretty shaken up about it and laughed nervously as he chewed on his signature cigar. Granted there are ever-increasing reasons to be armed in case we are home-invaded, but if we have a minute to assess a situation it may be worth blasting an intruder with painful 350fps-BB’s and telling them to leave your home while you’re still able to hear their response. A 9MM pistol in your pajama pocket will allow you to follow up with a real bullet if the situation demands but remember you’ll be deaf, flash-blind and disorientated after you pull that trigger. Home invasions were actually pretty rare but sadly we’re seeing an uptick - I think we are entering an era where we’re all going to be a little more on edge and a little less secure and with the gun sales over these past two years it’s evident people are taking their security more seriously. But are they really conscious of what happens after a fatal shooting? Even justified, against an intruder, in their own home? There have been plenty of stories over the years of people defending themselves (often kids) with BB guns and bows-and-arrows so never doubt the efficacy of less lethal options. And as far as that goes, this is a really good first-strike-no-remorse utensil. Visit the Umarex WEBSITE for details.
We just discovered this nifty little gadget for 22LR shooters who wish to keep 5 rounds immediately on hand. I could see this being extremely useful for single shot rifles like the Traditions Crackshot, the Rossi Matched Pair, the Keystone Crickett and the Savage Rascal. This from the MCE WEBSITE: Because you can never be too prepared or carry too much ammo. Proudly designed, engineered and manufactured in USA. 3D printed from temperature-resistant ABS plastic. Guaranteed not to rust corrode or melt under heavy use. Designed specifically for .22 LR Rimfire ammo. Includes black mounting hardware (2 nuts & 2 bolts).
 The Savage 64 was designed by Hubert Cooey and first introduced on the market in 1964 (the same year as the Ruger 10/22). It has since become a legend. It's unusual among semiauto 22s - and semi-automatic rifles in general - in that it comes in a true southpaw version featuring a left-handed safety, charging handle and ejection port. The 64 is a workhorse rimfire popular with plinkers and budget target shooters, and now the new 64 Precision is built with Savage's Precision Series upgrades: it houses a semi-automatic action in a glass-filled polymer chassis (black or FDE) with M-LOK slots and an AR-compatible grip interface for ergonomic customization. The steel receiver is fitted with a 1913 picatinny rail so you can add optics of your choice. The 16.5" bull barrel has a threaded muzzle for adding brakes and suppressors. It has a detachable magazine (10-rnd or 20-rnd option) and the whole rifle weighs in at at a mere 5.46lbs. Most amazingly you get all that for an unbeatable $299 MSRP. View here on the Savage WEBSITE.
 The gorgeous heirloom Browning SA-22 is renowned for it’s elegance and accuracy but since it’s release in 1914 it has resisted the inclination to modernize. Until now. The SA-22 Challenge has taken what I always considered the downfall of the original takedown model and remedied it. The original takedown rifle assembles and disassembles via a barrel-nut that affixes the barrel to the receiver, however, over the course of a few dozen shots this could work lose and impact accuracy, especially if you had a scope attached. Because the scope would stay with the receiver, as the barrel-nut loosened the barrel could move off true, and even a millimeter would effect zero. This new SA-22 Challenge remedies the problem by securing the barrel to the receiver therefore this rifle is obviously not a takedown but an accurized iteration intended for competition. The bull barrel is 1/2 x 28 threaded at the muzzle so a silencer can be added, plus it comes with a thread protector and a muzzle brake. And that’s pretty much where the modernization ends. But I’d like to see an extended bolt lever (possibly knurled and concave to accommodate a gloved finger) and sling swivel studs so the rifle can be carried on your back as you go about your hunting day. What’s lovely about the takedown SA-22 is the walnut furniture and svelte contours and thankfully those faculties remain on the Challenge: the receiver is a mere 1” wide by 1.5” high and the barrel is just under an inch in diameter making the rifle barely more cumbersome to carry than a broom handle. It always feels like a shame to put a scope on this rifle as it detracts from it’s grace but the lack of iron sights on the Challenge makes it somewhat of an imperative. The original takedown model has been made by Miroku in Japan since the 70’s and I assume it’s the case with the new Challenge though I can’t find anything on the Browning website to verify that. Take a drool here on the Browning WEBSITE.
 The CNC'd steel mount from Turnbull Restoration is designed for Winchester 92 and 94 barrel radiuses and uses the rear sight dovetail slot to attach to your rifle. This VIDEO depicts Turnbull Restoration’s Steve Lester as he takes you through the quick and easy process of installing the mount. Turnbull was not able to answer whether the mount fits the Rossi M92 but my guess is it would, possibly with a little tuning of the threaded dovetail "filler" provided with the mount. To purchase the mount visit their WEBSITE purchase page. To install the sight mount you will need:
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the afd blog
Previews and reviews on newly available items are written-up by our team as quickly as we can find them. Please let us know if we've missed something debuting on the market. As a firearm enthusiast or an AFD listed company you are welcome to submit a blog entry about a new product. You may also submit a firearm related commentary, idea or nostalgic musing: we like things celebratory of American ingenuity and manufacturing. All entries are subject to editing and/or fact-checking. Archives
April 2023
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