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Why does an illuminated dot provide faster recognition for the shooter? First and foremost, the illuminated dot is the brightest object in the field of view. This brings your eye to the dot like a magnet. The key to shooting quickly with an illuminated dot is to focus on the target with the dot in your peripheral vision. Find your desired point of impact, cover it with the dot, and fire.

In this test we will be evaluating several aspects that we think should be considered when choosing an electronic dot scope. Ease of mounting and sighting in, durability in terms of function and repeatable adjustment, and quality of vision regarding the dot and its surrounding field of view. To test we enlisted the help of two rifles. They were the Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 and the Marlin 1895SBL. The M&P 15-22 was tested in our February 2010 issue and fires 22LR ammunition. The Marlin 1895SBL is a big-bore lever-action rifle that shoots fat 45-70 cartridges, (www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/bigbore/1895SBL.asp). We began by sighting in each scope atop the Marlin 1895SBL and firing from the 100-yard line at Phil Oxleys Impact Zone (www.theimpactzonerange.com). Here we used Remington 405-grain soft points (R4570G) and PMC 405-grain lead flat point ammunition. Next, we fired at a multiple target array to experience what each scope had to offer in terms of rapid acquisition. For this portion of our test we fired Winchester 300-grain JHP rounds (X4570H). We chose the hefty Marlin for two reasons. First, it supplied enough recoil to challenge the durability of the scopes. Next, working its lever action provided an extra interruption to sight alignment above and beyond the recoil impulse. Our target array consisted of five cardboard IPSC targets for backing arranged in a triangle or "Christmas tree" pattern. Point of aim was a Reckstine Sight-In Target fixed at center mass on each backing. Actual distance from the shooter for each target was, left to right, 22.5 feet, 33 feet, 47 feet, 39 feet and 23 feet. Exercise One was to engage all targets with one round each moving from left to right. Start position was shooter facing downrange muzzle pointing towards the ground about 2 feet in front of the shooter. A round was in the chamber with four rounds in the magazine. The hammer was back and the crossbolt safety was activated. Exercise One was attempted two times and we recorded total elapsed time for each run. We also took note of shot placement on each target.

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For Exercise Two we changed to fresh Reckstine Sight-In Targets on each backing. Exercise Two required that the shooter begin with the furthest target at the top of the triangle. Order of engagement continued with the furthest target to the left, the furthest target to the right and then left to right on the pair of near targets. Again, we recorded total elapsed time and made note of shot placement. Each scope was tested in this manner and the shooter was allowed to dry fire each exercise before firing beginning each exercise. In fact, we recorded the elapsed time of the very first dry fire run, from audible start signal to the final drop of the hammer. We used this to set a par time on our Competition Electronics shot recording timer. This provided an audible structure against which to measure our dry fire practice.

The Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 AR-15 style rimfire carbine was used primarily to test repeatability of zero. We began by undoing all previous adjustments. This meant centering the dot inside the scope. We did this by turning down the elevation screw until it stopped, then turning it in the upwards direction counting each click until the screw stopped again at its maximum elevation. This takes concentration, patience, and a soft touch so not to damage the mechanism. We then divided the number of clicks by two and turned the screw back to its mechanical center point. We repeated this chore with the windage adjustment. It is important to begin with the adjustments at center because this offers the greatest amount of potential adjustment and the least amount of strain on the adjustment mechanism. In addition, we believe that even without magnification, the center of a given lens is the point at which it is most visually efficient.

For our repeatability tests we visited the 25-yard line at American Shooting Centers, (www.amshootcenters.com). From the bench we zeroed each scope. Then we turned the windage adjustment 10 clicks left and shot a group. Next, we turned the adjustment 20 clicks to the right and shot another group. Finally, we adjusted the scope 10 clicks to the left and looked for a group with its center over the original point of zero. On our test days we did our best to wait out any gusts of wind that might skew our windage test and judged accordingly. We repeated this test for elevation adjustment by going 10 clicks up, 20 clicks down and then 10 clicks up. We think dot scopes will rarely be used like a mil-dot tactical scope (for example, dialing in changes and returning to zero), but we hoped this test would simulate longer term use that would likely include being readjusted for use on any number of rifles or handguns. Would one scope stand out from the others? Lets light them up and see what happens.

In the July 2000 issue, we tested several rust-preventative compounds by preparing a bare, degreased steel sample and then anointing it with a selection of oils and other compounds that were supposed to provide protection against rust. We then left the steel sample outdoors in the rain, added some salt water to speed things up, and reported the results. The upshot of that test was that Boeshield T9 was the winner, providing essentially perfect protection against salt, rain, and odd water samples.Reader Jeof Bean asked in February, "Can you test gun cleaning and lubricating products for what they claim, efficiency and how effective they are? I think this would be very helpful and believe that you are one of the very few trusted sources that can do it in an unbiased way." Reader Gordon Fleisher seconded that request, saying, "Its been more than five years since you last tested those kinds of products. Since then, there has been a plethora of new products to come on the market. There is now a bewildering array of cleaning, lubricating, and rust-preventative products on the market. I believe it would be a real service to all of your readers to conduct tests on the commonly available products one sees in catalogs today."To satisfy these inquiries, we acquired seven samples from Brownells and tested them in the same way as before, by preparing a single sample of mild steel with enough surface area to provide the same steel source for all the test fluids. The steel was ground and degreased to give a clean bare-steel surface, which was then divided into seven areas, with another three smaller areas for control. One of those smaller areas was left bare for a control, and the other two were anointed with Boeshield T9 and with Parker Hales Rangoon oil, the winner and one of the runners-up from the earlier test.All the compounds were put on relatively thinly. Two of them were essentially greases, and while they could be gobbed on so that nothing would get through them, that was thought to be nonproductive. Instead we made every effort to provide a light but thorough coat with each product, to keep a level playing field, as it were. We made every effort to avoid cross contamination when we anointed each area.The steel-bar test sample was placed outdoors with the anointed areas upward to catch any rain or dew. We had light rain the first night, and in the morning there was only a light rust showing on the bare-steel control area. After two more days of relatively dry weather and no further rusting of the control sample, we sprinkled the steel with salt water. This gave us much faster results. We left the steel outdoors for well over a week before we drew our conclusions. In fact, the sample is still outdoors, continuing to provide long-term verification of the results given here.

In the July 2000 issue, we tested several rust-preventative compounds by preparing a bare, degreased steel sample and then anointing it with a selection of oils and other compounds that were supposed to provide protection against rust. We then left the steel sample outdoors in the rain, added some salt water to speed things up, and reported the results. The upshot of that test was that Boeshield T9 was the winner, providing essentially perfect protection against salt, rain, and odd water samples.Reader Jeof Bean asked in February, "Can you test gun cleaning and lubricating products for what they claim, efficiency and how effective they are? I think this would be very helpful and believe that you are one of the very few trusted sources that can do it in an unbiased way." Reader Gordon Fleisher seconded that request, saying, "Its been more than five years since you last tested those kinds of products. Since then, there has been a plethora of new products to come on the market. There is now a bewildering array of cleaning, lubricating, and rust-preventative products on the market. I believe it would be a real service to all of your readers to conduct tests on the commonly available products one sees in catalogs today."To satisfy these inquiries, we acquired seven samples from Brownells and tested them in the same way as before, by preparing a single sample of mild steel with enough surface area to provide the same steel source for all the test fluids. The steel was ground and degreased to give a clean bare-steel surface, which was then divided into seven areas, with another three smaller areas for control. One of those smaller areas was left bare for a control, and the other two were anointed with Boeshield T9 and with Parker Hales Rangoon oil, the winner and one of the runners-up from the earlier test.All the compounds were put on relatively thinly. Two of them were essentially greases, and while they could be gobbed on so that nothing would get through them, that was thought to be nonproductive. Instead we made every effort to provide a light but thorough coat with each product, to keep a level playing field, as it were. We made every effort to avoid cross contamination when we anointed each area.The steel-bar test sample was placed outdoors with the anointed areas upward to catch any rain or dew. We had light rain the first night, and in the morning there was only a light rust showing on the bare-steel control area. After two more days of relatively dry weather and no further rusting of the control sample, we sprinkled the steel with salt water. This gave us much faster results. We left the steel outdoors for well over a week before we drew our conclusions. In fact, the sample is still outdoors, continuing to provide long-term verification of the results given here.

Crimson Trace's The Art of Survival training video has Julie Goloski talking to two gun owners about laser sight training that works.

Mounting a new scope on your rifle is not difficult but does require the correct tools, the right procedure and a few tricks of the trade.

(GunReports.com) -- Leupold & Stevens, Inc. announced that it has reached an agreement that will settle its lawsuits with Bushnell Inc.

GunReports.com presents a Ruger video: Proper training is essential for good gun technique. This series is a collection of self-defense tips with career law enforcement officer Dave Spaulding designed to help individuals learn proper skills and techniques to defend themselves.

GunReports.com conducts periodic surveys of topics of interest to firearms owners. As a thank-you for voting in the survey, GunReports.com enters voters into a free drawing for an AWESOME and usually high-cost firearms accessory. These rules specify the terms for the giveaway.

(GunReports.com) - LaserLyte, in association with Ka-BAR, offers the first pistol bayonet for select North American Arms pistols.

(GunReports.com) -- The National Rifle Association's Training Department is pleased to announce a special offer from Revision Eyewear. Through this new offer, NRA Certified Instructors and Appointed Training Counselors will be able to purchase products from Revision Eyewear at a discount of 20%, with 10% of the net sales benefiting the NRA Firearms and Marksmanship Training Endowment.

Three 22 LR conversions for centerfire pistos earned 'buy' recommendations in the June 2010 issue of Gun Tests, says its editor, but the magazine showed a strong preference for one unit.

Hundreds have answered the GunReports.com survey question: Is the 9mm Sufficient for Self-Defense? They are entered to win a $225 Insight Technology X2l Subcompact Laser/Light MTV-100-A1. Voting closes June 21, 2010.