Federal Court Rules Police Can Shoot a Barking or Moving Dog While Entering a Home

A federal court in Grand Rapids, Michigan, ruled that police can shoot a dog while entering a home if the animal “moves or barks” in the officer’s presence.
The decision is the final step in a case brought to court by Mark and Cheryl Brown of Battle Creek, whose pit bull was killed while officers were executing a search warrant on their home in 2013.
The couple claimed that officers “unlawfully seized their property in violation of the Fourth Amendment when officers shot and killed two dogs while executing a search warrant.”
An officer testified that he shot the first dog when it appeared to move “a few inches” and lunged at him. The dog fled to the basement, where the officer shot and killed it. Court documents reveal that another officer killed the second dog after it too ran to the basement and barked at the officers.
Judge Eric Clay’s decision ruled that the Browns failed to provide evidence that the first dog did not lunge at police and that the second dog did not bark.
“Given the totality of the circumstances and viewed from the perspective of an objectively reasonable officer, the dog poses an imminent threat to the officer’s safety,” the ruling reads. “The standard we set out today is that a police officer’s use of deadly force against a dog while executing a search warrant to search a home for illegal drug activity is reasonable under the Fourth Amendment when … the dog poses an imminent threat to the officer’s safety.”

Obama Administration Yanks Second Amendment Rights from SSI Recipients

Obama Administration Yanks Second Amendment Rights from SSI Recipients

President Barack Obama speaks during a campaign event for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton at Capital University, Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Last week, the Obama administration put the finishing touches on a new policy that would deprive recipients of disability insurance and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) of their Second Amendment rights. The administration will now characterize those citizens as "mental defectives," thereby having their ability to own a firearm subject to the federal Gun Control Act.

Supplemental Security Income helps blind, disabled, and elderly people with little to no income.  Previously, it was understood that "mentally defective" referred to one's mental health. Citizens who have been institutionalized against their will are restricted from owning a firearm. The new definition of "mentally defective" has nothing to do with being mentally ill.

The Social Security Administration released its final decision after a period of open comments that drew more than 91,000 responses, including a response from the NRA. Although Obama likes to empty out Guantanamo Bay of dangerous terrorists and commute the sentences of criminals guilty of breaking federal firearms laws, he doesn't like law-abiding American citizens to possess firearms.

Sponsored

The NRA submitted comments to the Social Security Administration, but the issues raised by the gun rights association were ignored.

For example, the SSA did not attempt to answer most of the legal questions raised about its authority, instead deferring to an overbroad and problematic ATF regulation defining who counts under the federal Gun Control Act as a “mental defective” and to Department of Justice guidance on reporting. The SSA did not explain why, some two decades after the federal background check system came online, it was reversing its earlier determination about its reporting responsibilities and only now asserting a mandate to do so.

Incredibly, the SSA also brushed aside empirical evidence the NRA submitted suggesting that the proposed rule would have no public safety benefit. “We are not attempting to imply a connection between mental illness and a propensity for violence, particularly gun violence,” the SSA wrote. “Rather, we are complying with our obligations under the NIAA, which require us to provide information from our records when an individual falls within one of the categories identified in 18 U.S.C. 922(g).” This would seem to be the very definition of the sort of arbitrary and capricious rulemaking prohibited by the Administrative Procedures Act.

Most notably, the new rule does not make clear how an individual could appeal the agency's decision to deny Second Amendment rights. Writes the NRA, "The rule would not provide those subject to its terms the ability to defend their suitability to possess firearms before the actual loss of rights took place. In other words, it offers no due process on the question of losing Second Amendment rights."

Instead, a victim of the new regulations would have to petition for his constitutional right to own a gun because he poses no threat to the public safety. Has it even been established that SSI recipients are responsible for the "gun violence" the administration has been targeting? Do we know what percentage of gun criminals are on SSI?

This new authority the administration has granted itself is in line with Obama's previous efforts to give himself extra-constitutional powers. Let's hope President-elect Trump will change course and do something about this ridiculous new policy.

How to Make Your Own Survival Fire Putty (AKA Napalm)

Step One: Gather Your Ingredients

Round up these necessary items and you’re ready to get started. Most of these items you probably have laying around the house.
· Styrofoam (bowls, plates or cups will do)
· Acetone (nail polish remover) or Gasoline
· Matches
· Plastic Bottle
· Scissors or Knife
· Plastic Gloves

Step Two: Get Your Base Ready

The bottom portion of a plastic bottle will work well as a base for creating survival fire putty. However, it is important to note that this is not a good long-term storage solution for the putty or the ingredients that are used to make it. Simply cut the bottom portion off of your bottle and you’ll be ready to move on to the next step.

---

Step Three: Pour Your Acetone in the Base

Grab the bottle of nail polish removal and fill up the bottom of the bottle about a third of the way, as shown in the image below and the nearby video. If you prefer, you can use gasoline instead.

Step Four: Add the Styrofoam

You can rip up Styrofoam plates or cups and add them into the acetone or gasoline. Keep in mind that it must be pure Styrofoam in order for this survival fire putty trick to work. In other words, if the item you rip up does not work, that means you need to select a different Styrofoam item to rip up.

Step Five: Form the Styrofoam

It will be necessary to put several pieces of torn up Styrofoam into the bottom of the bottle, and you may need to put a bit more acetone or gasoline on top of it. You need to push the Styrofoam down to make it all fit and to shape it. You can use a pencil or a twig to help you accomplish this part of the process. The yellow in the image came from the pencil.

Step Six: Put On Your Plastic Gloves

If they’re not on yet, it is now time to don your plastic gloves. Make sure you are using gloves that will not dissolve from acetone or gasoline.

---

Step Seven: Pull the Putty Out and Finish Forming It

After you have mashed all of the Styrofoam tightly together with a pencil or stick and let it sit for a few minutes, your survival fire putty should be ready to come out of the bottle. Again, if you are going to handle your creation, you MUST be wearing durable gloves that are able to handle acetone and gasoline.

Step Eight: Put the Survival Fire Putty in Place and Light it Up!

It is best to put your fire putty on a log or other surface that can handle fire. The gasoline one produces a much higher and more intense flame, but they both work. Also, the acetone survival fire putty does not let off as much smoke.
In this particular experiment, the acetone putty burned for 4 ½ minutes in the rain before it went out. This gives you a good amount of time to get a larger fire going by placing kindling and wood over the putty. The gasoline lasted one minute longer if you need more time.

Ultimately, the advantage of making survival fire putty with Styrofoam instead of simply pouring gasoline or acetone on wood is that the Styrofoam helps the fire burn stronger and hotter. This makes it much easier to get a solid fire going that, if well-tended, will last through the night. Make sure you are careful at all times while working with this substance as the base components are the same items that were used to make napalm!

Savage 10 BA Stealth Rifle

Affordable Accuracy: Savage 10 BA Stealth Rifle—Full Review

The Savage 10 BA Stealth, shown here chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor and sporting a 24-inch barrel, offers beginning precision rifle shooters a great gun at a great price.

Savage is well-known for producing rifles that outperform their price points. In fact, they often can outshoot rifles that cost twice as much or more. I recently had a chance to try out the 10 BA Stealth, which is designed to be lightweight, simple, and above all accurate. It’s available in either .308 Win or 6.5 Creedmoor. Starting with a factory blueprinted action, Savage adds a precision barrel, in this case a 24-inch 1:8 twist, fluted barrel with 5/8 x 24” threading at the muzzle. This barreled action is factory designed for the best possible accuracy unlike others that simply drop a run-of-the-mill setup in a nice stock.  It comes with a single-piece flat rail (no elevation) for scope attachment, and an oversized bolt knob.

The rifle feeds from an included 10-round detachable magazine.

SPECS

• Chambering: 6.5 Creedmoor
• Barrel: 24 inches
• OA Length: 38.5 inch
• Weight:9.2 pounds
• Stock: FAB Defense
• Sights: Scope rail provided
• Action: Bolt-action
• Finish: Black anodized
• Capacity: 10
• MSRP: $1,207

Savage has worked in conjunction with Drake Associates and uses their monolithic aluminum design chassis. Machined from a solid billet it utilizes AICS-patterned magazines and an AR pistol grip and buffer tube/stock.  It houses an adjustable Savage AccuTrigger. Minimalist in design, the stock extends forward slightly and uses M-LOK rails to accommodate accessories, and a single sling stud is provided from the factory.  A Fab Defense stock using a cheek riser goes over the six position tube, but it will accept any AR tube allowing the use of precision stock systems if needed.  At 9.2 pounds, it is as light as precision rifles go and well balanced.  Retail is $1,207.00 for both the .308 (with a 20-inch barrel) and 6.5 Creedmoor (with a 24-inch barrel) models.
To my mind, it is a great starter rifle for the precision rifle enthusiast due to its retail price point of $1,207 and its ability to easily accept AR-pattern accessories. This one has a lot of potential to get a lot of new (as well as experienced) shooters out into the field of long-range shooting.

The author equipped the rifle with a Burris scope and GEMTECH suppressor for testing.

Testing

During my testing, scope duties were handled by Burris Optics new XTR II 3-15x50mm FFP (First Focal Plane)  scope using a 34mm tube and SCR lighted Mil Lined reticle. Mounted in a set of Vortex Precision Matched Rings, it  zeroed with ease. Clarity on the glass is excellent and the reticle is comparable to any simple Mil-lined reticle on the market.  The vertical line has 20 mils graduated in half mil increments below the horizontal line.  There are five mils above with the last two graduated in .10 mils. Extending on either side are 10 mils graduated in .2 of a mile for the first five where another .10 mils section sits for ranging calculation. The center section is lighted for three mils on either side and six mils below the center line. Dialed up to 15 power, there were 11 mils available for holds with the entire horizontal line visible. Knobs are tactile with audible clicks at .10 mils per click and 10 mils per revolution. The XTR uses a zero stop that is easily adjusted. Loosen the screws, slip the knobs to zero and press firmly and re-tighten. Parallax adjustment sits on the right along with lighted reticle activation. There are 11 settings with “battery saver” steps in between each setting and a hard “off” setting at both ends. Scope covers that flip flat against the scope when open are included.

The Burris used during testing was an XTR II 3-15x50mm first focal plane model that really impressed the author.

If at all possible, any precision rifle used for tactical work should be suppressed. The advantages are huge, and the drawbacks short of cost are all but non-existent. In keeping with that philosophy, I attached Gemtech’s Dagger direct threat suppressor for all the testing.  Rated to .300 WM and built from titanium, it only weighs in at 15.3 ounces. It can be used on smaller calibers on barrels as short as 7.5 inches for 300 BLK, and 10.3 inches in 5.56mm and 6.8 SPC. It’s even rated for a 12-inch .308 barrel and an 18-inch 300 WM, making it extremely versatile.

The GEMTECH Dagger used by the author fit easily on the rifle’s threaded muzzle, and is rated up to .300 WM.

Range Time

Savage starts with a blueprinted action to insure accuracy, and it worked. Starting just after dawn it was cool and smoky due to some fires in the area, but wind was minimal and the bugs had yet to come out. My first group in testing measured just over half an inch, and it just got better from there. My best group was fired using Hornady’s 143 Grain ELD-X Precision Hunger at a tad over .35 inches. While I have produced better groups in my life, I have not with a factory rifle costing just $1,200.00. My next best group was produced using Doubletap’s rather juicy 127-grain LRX at .45 inches.  Nothing exceeded .70 inches during the test, all were very consistent. Moving out to 500 yards on steel, six rounds of Hornady/ELD match were loaded up with elevation dialed in using data from my Kestrel Applied Ballistics Meter. Not a single miss was had, with all hitting close to center.

The author’s best group of .35 inches was achieved with Hornady ammo, and all ammo tested came in sub-MOA.

Being my first real test of the Burris XTR II, I was very impressed.  Retail pricing on this model is only $1,259.00, a price range that is becoming incredibly competitive.  Scopes that cost 3K are great and offer features a few shooters need, but this Burris and similar scopes perform well for the vast majority of conditions. The glass is as clear as any in this price range; as clear as some with twice the price tag.
Measurements were consistent when working from 100-800 yards using input from the Kestrel.  First round hits were the norm until the wind kicked up, but elevation stayed consistent. Knobs are easy to grab with firm and audible clicks. Setting the zero stop is easy and was used in between each change of distance. When the day was done it held its zero to within .25 inches. Given a 20-degree temperature change and a couple hundred rounds using a suppressor, that is about as good as it gets. Still more long-term testing to do, but if this run is any indication this is an excellent scope in general, let alone for its price.
Gemtech prides itself on sound reduction and their Dagger delivers. Most of the time there was just a puff of white smoke. Most suppressors designed primarily for sound reduction will result in increased bolt lift on rapid fire strings, and this was no exception. It takes time to allow the trapped gas to dissipate so run the bolt hard and fast, and by round four or five you will need to work a bit harder to lift the bolt.  Most of the time a count of one or two seconds between shots eliminates this. As a practical matter it’s not a concern for most precision shooters, but if you compete with a suppressor you need to be aware of it.

The FAB Defense stock came standard on the rifle, although the AR buffer tube extension design allows you to swap it.

The hand guard portion of the stock features M-LOK attachment points and is short and compact.

Hand guards of reduced or minimal length like this one seem to be gaining in popularity. Most shooters have no need to hang lasers, lights, rangefinders, or anything other than a bi-pod off their rifles. If you need all of those things, and or clip on NV (Night Vision), this stock may be problematic.  There is plenty of room for a light, maybe one other device, but it will cramp your style a bit. If not, it saves quite a bit of weight you will never use. Working barricades and around the bench there was a tad less space for bags and the like, but not unworkable at all. If you spend much of your time in prone or resting on a bag it is fine.
The FAB Defense cheek rest on the stock never came loose and provided a pretty solid purchase. It never collapsed under recoil nor interfered with positions. Recoil was minimal with the 6.5 Creedmoor, so that was not an issue. If you want something different it’s pretty easy, just swap them out. If you prefer a precision rifle stock of some type you just change the buffer tube.

Bottom Line

If you are looking for a reasonably priced precision rifle capable of accuracy exceeding most shooters, the Savage 10 BA Stealth is an excellent choice. You get a rifle with a blueprinted action, a great barrel and impressive performance at a retail price of around $1,200. Chambering it in 6.5 Creedmoor provides a solid platform for longer-range target shooting and precision rifle competitions. The stock is rock solid, it works with AICS magazines, it balances well, and accuracy is excellent. It allows you to change stocks and pistol grips as needed to meet personal needs. If it has a limitation, it’s the hand guard length, but that’s all about personal need and preference. Far too many people buy what they think is “operational” with features (and weight) they just don’t need. If you are planning on hanging another 10 pounds of stuff on the end of your rifle you may want to look at something different.

The AR-pattern grip performed well, and can be easily swapped out with any other AR-pattern grip.

The tang-mounted safety was simple and easy to operate for the author.

Savage rifles have always been accurate, but they are also amongst the most user friendly on the market. Barrel changes can be made with simple tools due to the barrel nut system; no need to take them to a custom shop. This rifle would accept any barrel change using a .308-based cartridge pretty simply, so it’s easy to change caliber or even length for different purposes.

The rifle comes standard with the terrific AccuTrigger system.

Savage has done a great job with this rifle meeting what may be the largest demographic for precision rifle shooters, the entry level. It will shoot at a much higher level for sure, but it allows new shooters to experience the joy that comes from ringing steel at 1,000 yards consistently, or putting five rounds into a hole you can cover with a dime. If you are new to precision rifle shooting and want a start, the combination of the Stealth and the Burris HTR II worked great. For those Savage fans, you now have an out-of-the-box blue printed action in a proven long range caliber (6.5 Creedmoor) that is soft shooting and easy to maneuver. Either way it is a great choice and should be added to anyone’s list of precision rifle choices.
For more information, visit http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/BAStealth.

.50: The Desert Eagle L6

Green Beret Blows Up Stuff with a Lightweight .50: The Desert Eagle L6—Full Review.

Picking up a Magnum Research Desert Eagle .50 cal. instantly conjures stories from Hollywood, or maybe Lara Croft if you were raised in the Playstation age. If the bad guy in a movie is carrying the DE, you know he is BA. (That’s bad ass for our older readers without a twitter account.) I myself can’t look at the gun without my subconscious whispering “because yours says replica, and mine says Desert Eagle point five oh.” It is certainly an instantly recognizable icon, and sure to stand out in a crowd.

The Desert Eagle L6 is a behemoth of a .50-cal., but MRI managed to shave a full pound of weight off of it.

SPECS

• CHAMBERING: .50 Action Express
• BARREL: 6 inches
• OA LENGTH: 10.75 inches
• WEIGHT: 3 pounds, 7 ounces
• GRIPS: Rubber
• SIGHTS: fixed
• ACTION: Single-action
• FINISH: Stainless steel slide, matte-black alloy frame
• CAPACITY: 7+1
• MSRP: $2,054.00

I am decidedly pretty boring when it comes to firearms. Everything I own is practical, and the closest thing I have to a peculiar caliber is my 10mm Glock. I was actually a bit concerned when this gun came to me for review; because it is nothing I would even entertain purchasing. I have revolvers in magnum calibers, but I have never really cared for ultra-powerful handguns. One cylinder of a .454 Casull was enough for me, and they can keep the .500 S&W. I don’t hunt (except people), so before I moved to the Pacific Northwest even 10mm was a bit much for critter control. So, what are the practical purposes of a Desert Eagle .50 Action Express? Well, the only one I can think of is for hunters/fishermen in Grizzly territory, that don’t like revolvers. Which is a pretty limited segment of the population. I am happy to report that this opinion changed after I took this bad Johnson to the range.
Practical can sit down and shut its dirty mouth. A degree in accounting is practical, but you don’t see kids dressed up as Mr. McGillicuty from the local CPA office on Halloween. We want to tour with Spinal Tap, with all the drugs, booze, and groupies promised to a shooting star Rock God. And that is what the DE brings. It is fun to shoot in a way that is hard to describe with words. You had to be there, man. You had to be there. I giggle every time I spark this big bastard off. That has been true from the first shot to the last. I am absolutely unapologetic about the fact that I flinch every third shot. Most times when I pick up a pistol I feel its weight, or balance, or craftsmanship. When I pick up this .50, I feel destructive power. And it feels good.
Now, the most significant element of this new model, dubbed the L6, is the fact that it has a lightweight alloy frame. But, light is really a relative concept, isn’t it? The Desert Eagle .50 L6 is no small fry still for sure, but MRI has managed to shave some serious weight off the platform. The other DE .50s in the line-up weigh in at 4 pounds, 7 ounces, so we have dropped about a pound here on this new gun. That is quite a gain in a pistol of this size.

Made in Pillager, MN. That just about says it all!

The .50 AE cartridge (right), next to a 9mm (center) and a .44 Mag. (left).

I must also admit, I didn’t know much about the caliber .50 Action Express when I received this gun. I assumed it was a lot like .50 GI, which you can convert a Glock or 1911 to shoot. Why do you shoot a .45? Because they don’t make a 46! .50 GI is essentially just slightly larger diameter 45 ACP. To me, that is a solution looking for a problem. Not so the .50 Action Express. This thing is a monster. I almost loaded my shorts when I first popped open the Hornady box. The cartridge is comparable in size to Off The Res 6’s thumb. 350 grains of kick-your-ass moving at 1,320 FPS is serious business.

The author ran some Hornady 300-gr. ammo through the L6 for testing.

For testing purposes, we used both Hornady 300 grain and MRI 350 grain. Both cycled equally well, and the Hornady XTP adds new meaning to the phrase “chucking ashtrays.” The abyss they call a hollow point on this bullet is absolutely massive. The MRI ammunition was a soft point FMJ, which would be more than adequate for social work in this loading. The MRI averaged about 1,320 FPS as mentioned, while the 300-grain Hornady was 1,385 fps.
How was the recoil you ask? It was present, to say the least. I credit the dual recoil springs that are present in the Desert Eagle design, and they are quite heavy, with eating a lot of that. But if you were concerned about recoil, you wouldn’t be looking at this gun. I did manage to empty the gun (7+1 rounds) in under two seconds, mostly on target, but you will feel it. Trust me.
How did it do on paper? I didn’t even bother. I already admitted I flinch a lot shooting this gun, so that is kind of unfair to the group size. And for me personally, shooting 300 grain Hornady XTP at paper would be sacrilege. Why would you shoot at paper, when you can shoot at things that explode? The closest I came to an accuracy test was golf balls at 10 meters. The answer is 1.) yes, it is accurate enough to do that and 2.) the result was hilarious.

The barrel of the L6 has an integral Picatinny rail, as does the alloy frame.

How about reliability? I did have a couple times when the slide didn’t go all the way into battery with the next round in the magazine. No failures to eject, but a few failures to finish the cycle. I will assume all fault for that, it was literally raining soda and pieces of fruit when I was testing. No gun was meant to be subjected to that. Also, I am not too proud to admit I may have been limp-wristing the gun a bit after 200 rounds in an afternoon. That is a lot of bang in a man-sized caliber.
I also liked that Magnum Research went ahead and milled full-size Picatinny rails on both the frame and slide. With a gun this big, why not? I first put a full sized Surefire Scout Light on the pistol in jest, but it did fit. And if you are carrying something this big, why not? Ditto for the Aimpoint I put on top, and a 1×6 wouldn’t have been out of place.
The way the MRI 50 works is a pretty marvelous piece of engineering as well. One drop of a lever and the entire barrel comes off, and it is a pretty serious barrel. The “upper” weighs as much as most pistols, and you wouldn’t want it any lighter.
By far the most unique part of the DE .50 is the fact that it is gas operated rather than recoil operated and employs a rotating bolt. That it actually uses a true bolt is quite different in its own right. The bolt looks like a modified AR-15 one, and it rotates in the same way to lock and unlock the action. If nothing else, it is at least very cool.
The dual-recoil springs look like they have been scaled down from a MK 19 Grenade launcher. That being the full-auto, belt-fed grenade launcher in use for decades in the US.  They certainly work, and it adds to a military feel to the design of this weapon. I was a bit less in love with the springs after I spent an hour putting the gun back together the first time, but they do mitigate recoil quite well.
The frame in this lightweight version is all aluminum, and it is remarkably light with the slide off. We will have to wait and see how durable this frame is with such a heavy round, but if aluminum is good enough for mach-speed aircraft, it is probably good enough for this. Rounding out the frame is a very large rubber, one-piece wrap around grip, that your hands will thank you for. I was quite happy with how the grips felt during use.
The DE .50 is a single-action-only gun. The safety is slide mounted, and is a safety only, not a decocker. The only part of the Desert Eagle I didn’t care for was this. I would have preferred a “down to fire” safety, even if it was slide mounted. Pushing a safety up while assuming a firing grip is not a natural action for those of us used to American handguns, and it is a bit awkward on a gun of this size. The trigger is pretty good, as it should be in a single-action-only gun. The test model broke consistently at 4 pounds, 7 ounces, with just a small bit of take up, and a small bit of creep. It’s not a 1911, but it’s not bad all things considered.

The L6 breaks down into its primary components quickly and easily.

The .50 AE Desert Eagle L6 pistol employs a dual recoil spring system.

An M16-style rotating bolt is employed by the gas-operated pistol.

So, overall, what was my take away from the gun? It was extremely fun to shoot, and that is a purpose all in itself. I haven’t had that much fun shooting since I got my first semi-automatic shotgun, at which point I just walked around my range for an afternoon shooting down saplings and auto glass. I smile every time I shoot this Desert Eagle, and that is quite a value in itself. I might be smiling less if I had to feed it at $2.00 per round, but it is a great toy. And certainly unique. If you are already bought up on TEOTWAWKI guns, this makes an excellent edition to your collection. Like a lift on your Prius, it is certainly a head turner, and if you have the means, it is hard to pass up.

.50: The Desert Eagle L6

Green Beret Blows Up Stuff with a Lightweight .50: The Desert Eagle L6—Full Review.

Picking up a Magnum Research Desert Eagle .50 cal. instantly conjures stories from Hollywood, or maybe Lara Croft if you were raised in the Playstation age. If the bad guy in a movie is carrying the DE, you know he is BA. (That’s bad ass for our older readers without a twitter account.) I myself can’t look at the gun without my subconscious whispering “because yours says replica, and mine says Desert Eagle point five oh.” It is certainly an instantly recognizable icon, and sure to stand out in a crowd.

The Desert Eagle L6 is a behemoth of a .50-cal., but MRI managed to shave a full pound of weight off of it.

SPECS

• CHAMBERING: .50 Action Express
• BARREL: 6 inches
• OA LENGTH: 10.75 inches
• WEIGHT: 3 pounds, 7 ounces
• GRIPS: Rubber
• SIGHTS: fixed
• ACTION: Single-action
• FINISH: Stainless steel slide, matte-black alloy frame
• CAPACITY: 7+1
• MSRP: $2,054.00

I am decidedly pretty boring when it comes to firearms. Everything I own is practical, and the closest thing I have to a peculiar caliber is my 10mm Glock. I was actually a bit concerned when this gun came to me for review; because it is nothing I would even entertain purchasing. I have revolvers in magnum calibers, but I have never really cared for ultra-powerful handguns. One cylinder of a .454 Casull was enough for me, and they can keep the .500 S&W. I don’t hunt (except people), so before I moved to the Pacific Northwest even 10mm was a bit much for critter control. So, what are the practical purposes of a Desert Eagle .50 Action Express? Well, the only one I can think of is for hunters/fishermen in Grizzly territory, that don’t like revolvers. Which is a pretty limited segment of the population. I am happy to report that this opinion changed after I took this bad Johnson to the range.
Practical can sit down and shut its dirty mouth. A degree in accounting is practical, but you don’t see kids dressed up as Mr. McGillicuty from the local CPA office on Halloween. We want to tour with Spinal Tap, with all the drugs, booze, and groupies promised to a shooting star Rock God. And that is what the DE brings. It is fun to shoot in a way that is hard to describe with words. You had to be there, man. You had to be there. I giggle every time I spark this big bastard off. That has been true from the first shot to the last. I am absolutely unapologetic about the fact that I flinch every third shot. Most times when I pick up a pistol I feel its weight, or balance, or craftsmanship. When I pick up this .50, I feel destructive power. And it feels good.
Now, the most significant element of this new model, dubbed the L6, is the fact that it has a lightweight alloy frame. But, light is really a relative concept, isn’t it? The Desert Eagle .50 L6 is no small fry still for sure, but MRI has managed to shave some serious weight off the platform. The other DE .50s in the line-up weigh in at 4 pounds, 7 ounces, so we have dropped about a pound here on this new gun. That is quite a gain in a pistol of this size.

Made in Pillager, MN. That just about says it all!

The .50 AE cartridge (right), next to a 9mm (center) and a .44 Mag. (left).

I must also admit, I didn’t know much about the caliber .50 Action Express when I received this gun. I assumed it was a lot like .50 GI, which you can convert a Glock or 1911 to shoot. Why do you shoot a .45? Because they don’t make a 46! .50 GI is essentially just slightly larger diameter 45 ACP. To me, that is a solution looking for a problem. Not so the .50 Action Express. This thing is a monster. I almost loaded my shorts when I first popped open the Hornady box. The cartridge is comparable in size to Off The Res 6’s thumb. 350 grains of kick-your-ass moving at 1,320 FPS is serious business.

The author ran some Hornady 300-gr. ammo through the L6 for testing.

For testing purposes, we used both Hornady 300 grain and MRI 350 grain. Both cycled equally well, and the Hornady XTP adds new meaning to the phrase “chucking ashtrays.” The abyss they call a hollow point on this bullet is absolutely massive. The MRI ammunition was a soft point FMJ, which would be more than adequate for social work in this loading. The MRI averaged about 1,320 FPS as mentioned, while the 300-grain Hornady was 1,385 fps.
How was the recoil you ask? It was present, to say the least. I credit the dual recoil springs that are present in the Desert Eagle design, and they are quite heavy, with eating a lot of that. But if you were concerned about recoil, you wouldn’t be looking at this gun. I did manage to empty the gun (7+1 rounds) in under two seconds, mostly on target, but you will feel it. Trust me.
How did it do on paper? I didn’t even bother. I already admitted I flinch a lot shooting this gun, so that is kind of unfair to the group size. And for me personally, shooting 300 grain Hornady XTP at paper would be sacrilege. Why would you shoot at paper, when you can shoot at things that explode? The closest I came to an accuracy test was golf balls at 10 meters. The answer is 1.) yes, it is accurate enough to do that and 2.) the result was hilarious.

The barrel of the L6 has an integral Picatinny rail, as does the alloy frame.

How about reliability? I did have a couple times when the slide didn’t go all the way into battery with the next round in the magazine. No failures to eject, but a few failures to finish the cycle. I will assume all fault for that, it was literally raining soda and pieces of fruit when I was testing. No gun was meant to be subjected to that. Also, I am not too proud to admit I may have been limp-wristing the gun a bit after 200 rounds in an afternoon. That is a lot of bang in a man-sized caliber.
I also liked that Magnum Research went ahead and milled full-size Picatinny rails on both the frame and slide. With a gun this big, why not? I first put a full sized Surefire Scout Light on the pistol in jest, but it did fit. And if you are carrying something this big, why not? Ditto for the Aimpoint I put on top, and a 1×6 wouldn’t have been out of place.
The way the MRI 50 works is a pretty marvelous piece of engineering as well. One drop of a lever and the entire barrel comes off, and it is a pretty serious barrel. The “upper” weighs as much as most pistols, and you wouldn’t want it any lighter.
By far the most unique part of the DE .50 is the fact that it is gas operated rather than recoil operated and employs a rotating bolt. That it actually uses a true bolt is quite different in its own right. The bolt looks like a modified AR-15 one, and it rotates in the same way to lock and unlock the action. If nothing else, it is at least very cool.
The dual-recoil springs look like they have been scaled down from a MK 19 Grenade launcher. That being the full-auto, belt-fed grenade launcher in use for decades in the US.  They certainly work, and it adds to a military feel to the design of this weapon. I was a bit less in love with the springs after I spent an hour putting the gun back together the first time, but they do mitigate recoil quite well.
The frame in this lightweight version is all aluminum, and it is remarkably light with the slide off. We will have to wait and see how durable this frame is with such a heavy round, but if aluminum is good enough for mach-speed aircraft, it is probably good enough for this. Rounding out the frame is a very large rubber, one-piece wrap around grip, that your hands will thank you for. I was quite happy with how the grips felt during use.
The DE .50 is a single-action-only gun. The safety is slide mounted, and is a safety only, not a decocker. The only part of the Desert Eagle I didn’t care for was this. I would have preferred a “down to fire” safety, even if it was slide mounted. Pushing a safety up while assuming a firing grip is not a natural action for those of us used to American handguns, and it is a bit awkward on a gun of this size. The trigger is pretty good, as it should be in a single-action-only gun. The test model broke consistently at 4 pounds, 7 ounces, with just a small bit of take up, and a small bit of creep. It’s not a 1911, but it’s not bad all things considered.

The L6 breaks down into its primary components quickly and easily.

The .50 AE Desert Eagle L6 pistol employs a dual recoil spring system.

An M16-style rotating bolt is employed by the gas-operated pistol.

So, overall, what was my take away from the gun? It was extremely fun to shoot, and that is a purpose all in itself. I haven’t had that much fun shooting since I got my first semi-automatic shotgun, at which point I just walked around my range for an afternoon shooting down saplings and auto glass. I smile every time I shoot this Desert Eagle, and that is quite a value in itself. I might be smiling less if I had to feed it at $2.00 per round, but it is a great toy. And certainly unique. If you are already bought up on TEOTWAWKI guns, this makes an excellent edition to your collection. Like a lift on your Prius, it is certainly a head turner, and if you have the means, it is hard to pass up.

A Sub-$700 Colt M4? The 5.56mm Colt Expanse

A Sub-$700 Colt M4? The 5.56mm Colt Expanse. Full Review.

When it comes to ARs, it all goes back to Colt. Sure, Eugene Stoner at ArmaLite developed the 7.62mm AR-10 that would evolve to become the AR-15 in 5.56mm, but it was Colt who purchased the rights to the latter design and not only captured government contracts for it as the M16 family of firearms, but also brought it to the civilian market at first as the AR-15 SP1 and then as the “Sporter” family of AR-15 rifles.

The stripped down to the basics, the Expanse gives shooters an M4-style AR with the pony on the side and at an affordable price. Image courtesy of the manufacturer.

Now, you should realize that while the AR is a well-accepted and extremely popular firearm today, it was extremely controversial in those early days. With a reputation for a perceived lack of reliability and power (compared against the more traditionally designed M14), the 5.56mm AR had heaps of criticism put upon it. And it was during this time that Colt was the only game in town for those who wanted a civilian-legal AR rifle, and it was not the huge market that it is today.

The CE1000 variant of the Expanse does not come with a forward assist button or dustcover door, but both can be added easily.

Fast forward to today. While it seems like just about everybody is making the AR, the name Colt still carries a lot of weight when it comes to this design. They were the “first” in the minds of many civilian shooters, and the company has a long history of producing the design’s martial sibling for the U.S. military.
In fact, the first AR-15 I ever purchased was a Colt, because all of the other platforms were just wannabe copies in my mind. The Colt AR-15 was “The Real Thing.” The choice was like Coke versus the Always Save house brand of “Cola.” As time passed, other companies began to improve their platforms, while Colt began to take actions that indicated a questionable level of interest in the wants of the consumer market.

No political correctness here. This rifle comes standard with that “evil” bayonet lug!

It started slowly and then got ridiculous. Colt changed the bolt carrier so that it would not trip an auto sear. Then they changed the size of the pin so that the holes were the wrong size to accept standard parts. The company decided that we could have a gun, but we could not put a bayonet on it. It also took the flash suppressor off because it made the rifle too dangerous.
Colt was living off of government contracts and borrowed money, and no longer had a fiscal need for the civilian market; it would slip us a few guns, but they were coasting along, avoiding the product-sharpening whetstone of the free market’s influence. To add injury to—well, injury—each of these iterations seemingly came with a complimentary price increase every year! All this time, more and more companies were producing ARs with the features customers wanted, and at very good price points. Thanks, capitalism! And, while Colt has made moves in recent years to get back into the civilian market, these lower-priced competitors were a constant thorn in the side of these efforts.

The Future of Colt

In late 2015, Colt announced that it was pushing back into the consumer market in a big way. Its program was based on a three-step strategy. Step One: Reduce the cost of inventory in the system. Step Two: Cut the price of the most popular models until the retail price is competitive with others in the market; eliminate the heavy premium for the pony on the side of the gun. Step Three: The most controversial part of the plan; only sell to stocking dealers. This requires the dealer to keep Colts in stock rather than merely ordering from Colt individually as needed. This third step was intended to boost sales by getting them into buyers’ vision and hands while they’re in the store browsing.

The Expanse comes with one Colt-branded metal-bodied, 30-round magazine.

SPECS

• Chambering: 5.56mm
• Barrel: 16.1 inches
• OA Length: 32-35.5 inches
• Weight: 6.44 pounds
• Stock: Collapsible
• Sights: Rear, none; front, winged post
• Action: Direct gas impingement
• Finish: Matte black
• Capacity: 30+1
• MSRP: $699 (CE1000), $749 (CE2000)

In accordance with the natural laws of the free market, this three-step plan only works if Colt produces a quality, feature-complete product that people actually want. Colt’s acknowledgment of this fact is what brings us to the Colt Expanse M4. The line is made up of two variants: the CE1000 at an MSRP of $699, and the CE2000 at $749. Both are relatively straightforward 5.56mm M4 Carbine-style rifles with 16.1-inch barrels, collapsible stocks and carry-handle-free flattop uppers. The $50 dollar difference between the two models is that the more expensive CE2000 features a dustcover and forward assist button assembly. On the CE1000, both of these are removed. Importantly, you are not completely deprived of these features if you choose to forego the fifty-dollar increase and buy the CE1000; it is delivered with an upper receiver capable of installing both the forward assist button assembly and the dustcover should you decide to add them at a later date.

Looking Toward Tomorrow

I received a CE2000 for testing and evaluation. When the Colt CE 2000 arrived, I unpacked it from its cardboard box and pulled out the gun that I believe to be the future of Colt as its combination of low price point and the pony on the side should really help it stand out in the market today. The rifle came equipped with one Colt metal 30-round magazine with a green follower. The buttstock is collapsible with four positions from which to choose. The top of the upper receiver is railed, allowing for optics or rear sights to be added. No carry handle/sight rear sight assembly is included. The upper and lower receiver are comprised of 7075-T6 aluminum and have a black, hard-coat anodized finish.

Anyone familiar with a stock M4-style gun will be right at home with the controls of the Expanse. The author added the carry handle.

A four-position collapsible stock rounds out the package of the Colt Expanse.

All of the controls are standard fare, with single-side controls and standard pistol grip. The barrel is a 16.1-inch, 1/7-inch twist, non-chrome-lined barrel, manufactured from 4150 CMV steel with a manganese phosphate finish, capped off with a traditional A2-style compensator/flash suppressor. The front sight assembly is an A2 post and gas block running the now-debugged direct-impingement gas system. A bayonet lug and sling swivel are attached to the front sight assembly.

the author found a low-mass hammer in the Expanse that serves to reduce lock time.

Amongst the internals are a few nice surprises, starting off with a bolt carrier with a properly staked gas key. The charging handle is a basic part that fits and works as expected. When I examined the lower, I found a low-mass hammer that serves to reduce lock time. The first of these types of low-mass hammers I encountered was a JP Enterprises “Speed Hammer” on a rifle that cost $3,000.00 several years ago. The hammer spring is coated in a blue substance—I suspect to mark it as a low-mass hammer. The trigger and sear look to be standard issue for the AR-15 platform, but the fit and finish are excellent.
I proceeded to cycle and dry-fire the Expanse to get a feel for the gun and its controls. I immediately noticed that the trigger was excellent for a service rifle. I broke out my digital trigger-pull gauge and discovered that it broke consistently at 4 pounds, 10 ounces. If not for the gauge, I would have guessed it was closer to 3 pounds. There was a minimal amount of take-up with zero creep and a crisp break with the tiniest amount of over-travel. The reset was short but perceivable. Simply put: This trigger felt like it belonged on a much more expensive gun and was not what I have come to expect on a rifle in this price range.

A Real Gun at a Real Price

Amongst the internals are a few nice surprises, starting off with a bolt carrier with a properly staked gas key.

I usually wait until the end of the article to discuss the price-to-value relationship. Without hesitation, I can confidently say that the Colt Expanse M4’s retail price of $749 is a fair price for a real gun. If I had to choose a single feature that should have been added, I’d go with a rear sight. However, this being the Age of ever-advanced optics, I think they made a smart choice to not charge the purchaser for a rear sight that might never be used. The only other cost-saving measure that’s apparent to me is the lack of a chrome lining on the barrel. I will acknowledge that a chrome-lined barrel certainly has desirable attributes, but most first-time buyers of an AR-15 rifle are not planning on firing 50,000 rounds through it. In fact, a few hundred rounds a year on average is more than most of these rifles will ever see in a lifetime. For those who want to save a few extra bucks, the CE1000 is a solid option as well. If you want the extra parts, you can just add them later.

On The Range

the author set the rifle up in a Caldwell Lead Sled solo and ran Aguila 62-grain ammo through it.

I tried to develop a plan for the Colt Expanse M4 that would test it in a way commensurate with what the gun is designed to be. I installed an A2-style carry handle, complete with two sizes of apertures that were adjustable for windage and elevation. To take advantage of the 1/7-inch twist rate of the barrel, I went with the Aguila 62 grain 5.56 X 45 full metal jacket boat tail long-range performance ammunition. The 1/7 twist rate would work to stabilize rounds all the way up to 77-grain projectiles.
When I got to the range, I unpacked my Caldwell Lead Sled Solo Rifle Rest and Aguila 62-grain ammunition. It was time to see what the rifle would deliver from the bench. After a few zero-shots, I switched to a M16A1 25m Qualification Target that I like to use from 100 yards. This target is a sheet of differently-sized targets that work well for open sights, red dots and magnified optics.

The author used an M16A1 25m Qualification Target at 100 yards and produced a four-round group that fit within the 1-inch inner circle.

The combination of the great trigger, small aperture rear sight and the lead sled enabled me to produce a four-round group that fit within the 1-inch inner circle. These results surpassed those I had experienced from other rifles that cost more and had magnified optics installed.
I loaded 10 rounds up and did a walking fire drill from 50 yards, and was able to get all 10 rounds to fit in a circle the size of a pie plate. This confirmed that the rifle was able to perform when driven hard. This gun just wanted to be shot hard and fast. I loaded up the 30-round magazine and ran it hard, followed by a repeat. The handguards may not be the latest KeyMod, super-cool model, but they worked to keep my hands from needing gloves. I noticed that the gas tube heated up and had some discoloration near the gas block.
By the end of the day, there had only been one hang up: I should have brought more ammunition! The gun was fine. It did everything I asked without so much as a hiccup. There was no shake, rattle or even a loose pin on the Colt when the day was over. This was the Colt quality I grew up with! I stress the quality here because of an incident I experienced recently while I was doing some training with a team that was proud to show off their new rifles. Before the day was over, one of them went down when the trigger pin came out. All of the operators were grabbing gloves throughout the exercises because the super-low-profile slotted handguards were way too hot to hold after only a few rounds. These rifles were of a brand that you would recognize, but I am bound by my training agreement to not discuss details. In this market, quality is as important as pricing and features.

The Future Looks Bright

If the full line that Colt is bringing to retail is going to offer high quality at a competitive price, then the road to recovery will be a win for both Colt and the consumer. I will be the first to acknowledge that Colt brought many of its problems on itself by abandoning loyal civilian customers. I am not advocating for charity, just good old-fashioned free market competition. I predict that this horse will be in the winner’s circle with the Colt Expanse M4.
For more information, visit http://www.colt.com/.

The author tested the CE2000 variant of the Expanse that comes with the forward assist and dustcover door. He added the carry handle/rear sight system.