Tactical Shotgun…Beretta 1301 Tactical

I will be the absolute first one to say that I am indeed NOT shotgun guy. Quite the opposite. Other than the little bit of hunting I’ve done over the years with a shotgun, I’m just not that guy. They always seemed to be too much with little to gain. Capacity limitations, much greater recoil than a rifle as well as such a variety of shells… I just never really went down that road. A couple of years back I got a Charles Daly AR-12 which is basically a 12 gauge shotgun that’s patterned roughly after an AR-15. It take detachable mags. I wasn’t sure if I was going to care for it, but it’s turned out to be one fun shotgun! Fast forward to this year, I had been looking heavily at adding a purpose use tactical shotgun to my collection. Not that the AR-12 isn’t already, but it’s truly not meant for hard use. I wanted something with a proven track record. Enter Beretta and their tactical shotguns. They had the 1301 Tactical for a while and recently introduced a cheaper tactical shotgun, the Ultima A300 Patrol. I went back and forth on both of these, but ended up going with the Beretta 1301 Tactical from Brownells. I opted for the only version they had in stock at the time. This version comes with the Mesa Tactical stock and pistol grip which is what all tactical shotguns should have in my opinion.

First impressions of the Beretta 1301 Tactical after it had arrived to my FFL was just how lightweight it was. I do own a few shotguns in total, a Remington Pre-Model 11, an 1187 Sportsman and that Charles Daly AR-12. All of these, especially the Remingtons seem much heftier than the newly acquired Beretta tactical blaster. Knowing what I know about recoil, weight is your friend, but not in a tactical environment when you’re carrying your firearm and needing to wield it in different directions. The Beretta 1301 Tactical is quite handy with it’s 18.5” barrel. My first trip to the range to see how it runs was quite the success too. I anticipated much more perceived recoil, but was pleasantly surprised when shooting game loads and a couple different types of defensive 00 buckshot loads from Hornady and Winchester. One of the other attributes that Beretta touts that makes this shotgun stand on top of the heap of other tactical shotguns is their blink recoil system. It’s a gas operated recoil system with a rotating bolt and Beretta’s claim of 33% faster than other semi auto shotguns seems to hold water in my experience thus far. It’s a fast shooting shotgun!

So even though I’m just now touching my toes into the water of the tactical shotgun world, the Beretta 1301 Tactical has me very excited so far! Glad it happened to come in stock over at Brownells just in time for me to snatch it up and see what this thing is all about. I’ve already started adding a few things like a sling, red dot and some shell holders. Really looking forward to where this will take me.

Just received the call no son (child) wants to ever receive!

Wow! Life is really gone in the blink of an eye! I'm having a very difficult time processing thoughts at the moment. I mean, I know there are emotions I'm supposed to be having at the moment however there's so much in my mind. It's like the silence is soooooo loud at the moment! I've gone through my phone and watched old videos of you and even pictures! Certain pictures hurt more than others! It's like had I known that Moment was the last one, I would of sat longer in it! I would of laugh longer at that joke! I would of smiled longer looking into your eyes! And this is where sadness comes from! The joy of know your love for me was pure and I wasn't even your biological child means the most!! I love you, Pop! Period!

Ma passed away in September. That was very hard for you! You spoke a few times about how you felt God should of took you and left her. Life is so interesting! I'll never forget the time you tried to get me to take one of our dogs (Shaka) out to the Bombing Range and leave him so when you returned from vacation, he would be gone! 😂 Pop, You were soooo pissed off at me when you guys got back home and Shaka was in that backyard! Lol 😂 I couldn't do it, Pop! You never let me live that mess down either lol! So many moments you poured into me, chastised me, praises me and celebrated me like I was yours! You helped me and Pat get our cards after high school and against your advice, we weren't saving money like we were supposed to be! But what did you do? You went into your honey stash and got us the additional monies needed to get what we needed!! You were so perfect!

I'd like to just brag on how amazing your were for a lil bit. A man who had three kids biologically with Ma, 1 outside of the marriage, 2 adopted and then me! Like, think about that for a second.... You owed nobody nothing and yet you gave far more than you ever had to. I thank you 🙏🏾 for that! A thing that upsets me now is the thought of those who had issues with you! It's like your issues now are mine. A spiritual battle I now have to fight is not disliking those who I vividly remember you expressing pain about! Those who have wronged you since momma passed!! That's my immediate fight! But God is faithful! This will pass for me because I still have you in my heart! It sucks for their conscience though so I pray peace over their lives.

Your sense of humor was the best!! Your laugh was contagious! Pitching quarters was our all time favorite. I'm not sure how much money I've beat outta you over the years but I'm sure I'm on top, lol. You taught me always to prepare for the unknown. You would say little cliches that would make sense in the end when you look back on them, but never - EVER - made sense in the moment! I love you, James Coleman. I wasn't your child by birth right but you would never know if someone didn't say it. Memories I'll take with me forever! Sad, yes. Yes I am sad. I'm very sad! Very emotional in moments. I honestly didn't know I'd feel like this but whoever does? Like, who prepares for the day a love one passes and then emotionally walked that thing out the way that they mentally prepared it; I'll wait....

Thanks to the boys over at @brownellsinc, we can introduce the @geissele Super Duty in OD Green. This particular model is exclusive to Brownells, so if you’re looking for the cool color combo you see here, check them out! (at Fort Bragg, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj4NTtqjfMF/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

The Retro-Modern Rifle: Part 1

A first look and general overview of the Brownells BRN-180

Fighting Rifle Roots-

After the successful creation of the beloved AR15 in the 1950s, in 1963 Eugene Stoner went on to help develop another rifle, that while gaining more popularity today, has become more a forgotten rifle. That rifle came in the form of a stamped steel, easy to produce rifle geared towards the military of more under developed countries. That rifle was the AR18.

Ar180 Rifle, with matching scope. Photo courtesy of @beachballistics on IG.

Originally developed and intended as a selective fire, fighting rifle rifle with a folding stock, it was tested but never officially adopted by any country. The AR18 production rights were eventually sold to Japan and Great Britain, where it is thought to have influenced the design of multiple weapons. The design was later adopted to civilian rifle sales as the AR180, where they were made and sold by Armalight, Sterling of the UK, and HOWA of Japan until 1985. There was also a variation in the early 2000s with the AR180s that didn’t sell as well as hoped during the AWB of the era, and it was dropped after just a couple years of production.

The AR180 of Today:

With the popularity of retro rifles, @brownellsinc introduced their idea of what the AR180 would have evolved into, if it would have stayed into production into todays modern rifle market. Insert the BRN180. They partnered with PWS (a know name in the short stoke piston market) to develop a modern take on the AR180 that would utilize common AR15 lowers, parts, and accessories.

My BRN180, in ODG fitted to an Unbranded AR15 Retro lower with folding stock.

The BRN180 comes in various colors ranging from ODG, FDE, Grey, and standard Black. They also come in a couple different calibers from 5.56, 300 BO, and 7.62x39. As stated above it will pin to a standard AR15 lower and function, as it doesn’t use the buffer or extension assembly, and if one wants there is also a dedicated BRN180 marked lower that takes standard AR15 parts.

So far I’m impressed with the quality of this upper. Stay tuned for the other parts of this series as I take a deeper look at this rifle, preform accuracy tests, and add to this rifle. If your interested in acquiring one for yourself, check out the link below for more details!

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/receiver-parts/receivers/upper-receivers/brn-180-gen-2-complete-upper-receiver-assembly-prod137282.aspx

@brownellsinc introduces new KEYMOUNT flash hiders. https://www.instagram.com/p/CmNLqgTLNGp/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

RT @BrownellsInc: Now this is how #WheelgunWednesday is DONE! This fantastic Smith & Wesson Pre-Model 27 is the work of Master Engraver Paul Piquette. Made in 1953, this #revolver is awash in engraving, gold, and gold inlaid North American game animals! T

RT @BrownellsInc: Now this is how #WheelgunWednesday is DONE! This fantastic Smith & Wesson Pre-Model 27 is the work of Master Engraver Paul Piquette. Made in 1953, this #revolver is awash in engraving, gold, and gold inlaid North American game animals! T

Now this is how #WheelgunWednesday is DONE! This fantastic Smith & Wesson Pre-Model 27 is the work of Master Engraver Paul Piquette. Made in 1953, this #revolver is awash in engraving, gold, and gold inlaid North American game animals! Thanks for sharing @rockislandauction! #guns pic.twitter.com/vyfiygnwdI — Brownells, Inc. (@BrownellsInc) April 27, 2022 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js RT…

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WASR Wednesday my dudes.

Throwback to my first AK

@brownellsinc

That would take a good horse to have a bear loaded up into his back

#Repost @christiangrest ・・・ Sunday Gun Day 😃 #sundaygunday #lynxdefense #definitivearms #ak47 #glock #ruggedsuppressors #firearmfanatik #dracoparty #brownells #brownellsinc #bureauofpropaganda #2a #2astrong #2amendment #pewpew #pewpewlife #gunsofinstagram #firearmphotography #37psr #37psrgunclub https://www.instagram.com/p/CDHgKxYFwgP/?igshid=cz3obdoz43o4

CZ Scorpion Evo S1…Still Relevant?

I’ve had a CZ Scorpion Evo S1 in my collection for the past 5 years or so. It was my very first dive into the realm of the PCC (pistol caliber carbine) or subgun world. The CZ Scorpion is CZ’s answer to the HK MP5 and other subguns around the world. There has even been a recent updated version that’s been hitting the shelves in the last year or so. The particular CZ Scorpion Evo that I own started out life as an 8” barrel pistol version in 9MM. They also offer a K or micro version with a 4” barrel as well as a carbine version that has a 16” barrel and a stock. You want colors? The CZ Scorpion can be had in black, FDE, OD Green as well as grey. Mine is an OD Green version. The CZ Scorpion costs roughly 1/3 of the price of the HK MP5 in the U.S. market, maybe a tad less. The difference in price between the CZ Scorpion and an MP5 clone is much less. For folks wanting a PCC but not spend the amount commanded by HK for the MP5, the CZ Scorpion makes a lot of sense. You can scratch that subgun itch for a fraction of the cost, but that savings does come at a price.

When I first received my CZ Scorpion, there were a number of items I didn’t like right off the bat. The grip angle, the stock safety selector, the trigger as well as the handguard. I appreciated the original design, but knew that things could be much better. Luckily Brownells carries a number of components for the CZ Scorpion. The first upgrade I went with was a new handguard from Midwest Industries. The handguard is fairly easy to install. The trigger was polished and a new set of springs from HBI were installed. The trigger is much better than factory, but still can be much better overall. Subguns aren’t known for having the best triggers generally speaking. Parker Mountain Machine offers a nice set of replacement safety selectors which work very well over the stock safety. The grip is the Yeti switchback grip. Magpul has also started making components such as grips, but I’ve yet to try one out.

Some time later, I decided to do a full K conversion of sorts with the shorter 4” barrel from In Lead We Trust. This barrel has both a thread end as well as an integrated 3 lug adapter for suppressor use. Of course I had to also grab a shorter Midwest Industries handguard from Brownells. Most recently I decided to file a form 1 to SBR my CZ Scorpion so that I could add a stock assembly. For the stock, so far I’m running the Reptilia Zhukov setup, but may entertain other options later on.

So back to the original question… in a world with a number of PCC/subgun options such as the MP5, B&T GHM9/APC, Stribog and others, is the CZ Scorpion still relevant? I say absolutely! The CZ Scorpion is cheap enough, but still has the quality of a world renowned manufacturer behind it. Is it perfect? No. But it’s a gateway into other PCC options down the road. And with a little bit of money, the CZ Scorpion can be tailored and refined to your likes.

“A Hard Head Makes A Soft....”

As you can tell by the title, this has been a long time coming! As men, we tend to inherit and pass down certain tools to our loved ones that aren’t always a blessing. Sometimes those very tools that are meant to cause a project to be done rather smoothly and efficiently, can be a pure nightmare! That’s been the case for the last three to four years for me. I’ve been working with two pieces of equipment that in all honesty, I’ve done my uncle more shame than good by continuing to work on them. Making the decision wasn’t easy but when I did, I turned to the great people over at Brownells to make sure I was up to date on the proper tools needed to move forward.

First up, I’d like to talk about the new Shop Fox Gunsmith Vise made by Woodstock International. We can’t talk about this awesomeness without paying respect to the dead. My passed down Craftsman 3 1/2 came with one of the mounting holes broken and it had already been welded twice before I got it. Now we’ve spent many nights doing work over and over due to it leaning, not holding support or me having to wedge it to remove a muzzle device. Those days are gone, praise God! With the new Shop Fox Gunsmith Vise, not only does it swivel a full 360 degrees but the set up and flexibility of this vice is simply stunning. One of the major features of this vice that I’m excited about is the modular holes in the walls of the vice. On each side you have two holes that can be used to accommodate a wide variety of custom wooden designs, making it great for gun stock or even luthiery work. This vice is going to be something special and will give my son or daughter something to be happy to inherit, lol.

Next up, is the Wheeler Delta Series AR15 Combo Tool! Now if you’ve done any work on rifles in a vice that actually worked, you now how important these tools are. From removing a muzzle break, to tightening a castle nut or even torquing down a barrel nut to the right specs. To a novice, all these things should be made important but the seasoned builder, you know that your job just got sent to a GunSmith if you didn’t have these tools. The previous wrench I used had teeth that had been worn down from attempted to apply pressure. This Wheeler Combo Tool is so versatile! This tool features hardened barrel nut pins and profiles that fit the buffer tube lock nut and flash hider. I went with this one particular because it also has the cut out for a ½" drive and allows the use with ratchet driver or the included torque wrench. Bit driver and bit holder with six common bits help you work on most parts of the AR-15. Included beam-style torque wrench helps achieve correct torque on AR-15 barrel nut to maximize accuracy potential. This tool was the completion of my upgraded workbench and I couldn't be more excited!

If you're considering doing any upgrades to your workbench, I strongly urge that you consider picking up one of both of these tools. I had someone older share with me once before, “Gammage, all jobs are cut in half with the correct tool. That same job can be said to have a 99% chance of you not having to do it again if you have the correct tools. Now you factor the other side of those numbers and add up how much money you’re losing.” I’m sharing with you guys today that sometimes a hard head makes a soft..... (fill in the blank). Thanks for stopping by!

Well, one day, my kids are going to have a good start to a collection. . @tommybuilt TG36C, TG36K, TMP 10mm @brownellsinc BRN-180 7.62x39 @springfieldarmoryinc Hellion @coltfirearms LE6920 (at Fort Bragg, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/Chf_FxFJSNX/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Bitten by the Bug.

A new chapter in my Shooting interests, SPR inspired rifle Part 1.

Have you ever had an idea, something that just takes hold on you? It’s just something you think and study on? Or in my case, want to learn more about, and build off of? That’s where I’m at with SPR style rifles.

The MK12 is the original SPR. Designed in the late 90s it was a way to give riflemen in the Armed Forces a more precise way of shooting, instead of using the basic infantryman’s rifle. The more time goes on, the more it seems the ideas developed for that use in combat zones, has spread to the shooting industry in general.

I feel as long as man has had a way to fire a projectile from a barrel, we have strived to be as accurate as we can. The SPR ideas bring that to the AR15 rifle. I’m no expert on the history of the SPR, or the AR15 in general. I’ve put together several, and love shooting them, but I’m not guru with the platform.. this is where I hope doing forward I can change that. I want to learn the magic of pushing 77 grn ammo, to 5-600 yards. And this desire is what will bridge my love for shooting to my love of reloading(also something I’m a novice at).

And this is where we get into where I’m gonna start. The Barrel. A lot say the barrel and bolt is the most important parts of an AR. I cannot speak on that totally, but I do know a quality barrel is needed for precision.

Ballistic Advantage 18” SPR fluted barrel.

They some reading, and discussions with folks, Ballistic advantage came up more times than now as an excellent barrel for the money to get into precision AR shooting. And this thing is super nice. I cannot wait to see if it shoots as good as it looks.

Chamber/lug end of barrel with M4 feedramps

The machine work on this barrel is very nice. The fluting is great, the machine work on the barrel is very nice, and the bead blasted finish is awesome. The barrel is 18” in length, features a rifle length gas system, 1:8 twist with a 223 wylde chamber, and is made from 416 stainless steel.

Barrel Markings

Over all this thing is solid. I look forward to getting it assembled to the upper and seeing just how well it shoots. If you looking for a barrel like this, or any other parts you’d need, @brownellsinc carry’s what you need. They recently updated their website and it’s a pleasure to use now. Remember when shopping with them, you can use code BOP10 on any orders over $150 to save 10%.

I appreciate the support, and be on the lookout for the future parts of this rifle, as I adventure of into the world of precision AR stuff!

@evolutiongunworks installed one their now hard to find checkered slide stops. Wish it was still made. As well as their heavy duty series 80 extractor, firing pin stop, and recoil spring kits. @_wilsoncombat_ round butt mag well, grips, and extended mag release. @coltfirearms the New Agent I wish you had built. #brownellsinc #brownells #1911porn #1911pistol #1911 #1911colt #egwguns #egw #1911Pistol #1911fanatics #1911Pistol #1911fanatics https://www.instagram.com/p/CFf3RxVphMy/?igshid=gysti4j30nga

It keeps me warm.

Surplus Romy G kit on DC industries receiver with Russian furniture

@brownellsinc