Precision rifles need to be durable. They need to be able to shoot anything well—no matter what harsh treatments they’re dealt. In the upcoming July 2013 issue of Tactical Weapons, author David Bahde gets his hands on the new American Precision Arms Paragon, a bolt-action .308, and truly torture tests it—dropping it, dragging it and treating it to mud, muck and debris.
The Paragon starts with a quality custom action designed to accept both AICS and AW magazines. The one-piece bolt features an M16-style extractor and an APA tactical bolt knob. A 30-MOA rail is bolted and pinned to the action. Another unique feature is the synthetic Manners TF1 stock, which has a left-side-folding, adjustable buttstock. The test rifle also came threaded for suppressor use. It’s completely deployment ready; as Bahde writes, “It is quite compact and fits very nicely in a trunk or the back of an SUV. You’ll only need to add a sling of your choice and some spare magazines.”
Did the Paragon survive weeks of Bahde’s harsh abuse? How was its accuracy after getting dropped and dragged several times? To learn more, check out the July 2013 issue of Tactical Weapons, available on newsstands and digitally May 21, 2013. To subscribe, go to