Tactical Life May-June 2023: The Strength in Numbers Issue

Unfortunately for Tactical Life readers, not everyone can go to the annual Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show held each January in Las Vegas. Fortunately for you, however, our staff and trusted contributors were among the throngs of gun lovers walking those nearly 14 “miles of aisle” and uncovering the good stuff. In this issue, you’ll find many of those products that you would have been searching for had you been able to attend yourself.

Tactical Life May-June 2023 Comes Ready for Carry!

In fact, in our special 38-page SHOT coverage section beginning on page 54, you’ll find detailed information on 28 pieces of survival gear, 20 new concealed carry pistols, 21 new defensive loads, 21 hot, new red-dot sights and 19 new suppressor models. Not from SHOT, but still worthy of mention, check out our 12-product mash-up of new lighting devices ranging from simple flashlights to night-vision goggles.

Of course, just because we tallied some big numbers on SHOT doesn’t mean we have forsaken our super-popular in-depth gun testing features. A deep dive into a pair of “firsts,” introduced at SHOT but that we were able to test earlier, bears that out.

If you’re one of the many readers who love the FN 509, meet its new big brother—the 510. Of course, the “10” stands for 10mm, and author Todd Burgreen tested the new FN 510 Tactical (p. 42) and concluded: “It is hard to argue against 15 or 22 rounds of full power 10mm as quickly as you can pull the trigger.”

Savage gives us our other “first” with that company’s…wait for it…first ever 1911 pistol! Author Mike Detty extensively tested the Savage 1911 (p. 30) and found it to be “match ready” and “carry ready” right out of the box—and with an MSRP of just $1,500.

Ruger 5.7s, Silencers, ARs & More

If you’re wondering what could be more exciting than that, jump over to page 36 and meet a pair of Rugers that will make your heart beat faster just looking at the pictures. As a follow-up to the 5.7 pistol introduced last year, Ruger has debuted its new LC Carbine chambered in 5.7x28mm, completing a zippy one-two punch that’ll be hard to beat for those wanting a pistol and carbine in the same caliber. Dr. Martin D. Topper put both through the wringer and found accuracy to be quite good, with the carbine shooting a sub-1-inch group at 50 yards!

A feature on two different Ruger firearms in 5.7mm.

With the continued growing interest in suppressors, we couldn’t ignore that segment of the industry in this issue. In addition to our SHOT suppressor coverage, see coverage of top can companies Silencer Central (p. 6) and Gemtech (p. 24).

Lastly, don’t miss our feature on Dark Storm Industries’ new competition-ready rifle (p. 18), which we had our first chance to shoot at last fall’s editorial rendezvous. Author Kenzie Fitzpatrick put the DSI Variant 1 rifle through its 3-Gun paces and found it to be fast, accurate and an all-around top performer.

One more number to key on before diving in. Check out “TL Night Shooter” host Chris Kreiner’s Top 6 predator cartridges starting on page 104. Knock ’em dead, y’all!

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