Not
long ago the NRA
embarked upon an exciting venture with their NRA product line.
Quite simply they are licensing the National Rifle
Association name to several of the first class companies in
the outdoors and firearms field. Proceeds from such sales are
earmarked for outdoors programs. The NRA is off to a good start
with Benchmade Knife Company.
Benchmade
is especially popular with peace officers and first responders.
Their line of rugged folders and rescue knives have proven
durable and have more than a little pride of ownership. The NRA
folders and fixed blade knives are not warmed over items but
designed for the NRA. Benchmade is well known for tactical
knives but their move to outdoors knives has been well received.
The knives are definitely outdoors knives but the quality and
ruggedness remain.
When
field chores demand a large knife, we looked to a fixed blade
type. There is simplicity in the fixed blade, and maintenance is
less. When we can
carry a sheath knife in the open then we probably should. Warren
Osborne's hunter/skinner is made for tough work on thick
hides and large animals. This knife has plenty of style. A
hollow grind ends in an ultra sharp edge. The handle is very
comfortable, offering good purchase and excellent shock
absorption. Human engineering in this knife is at a premium. The
knife features rugged full tang construction. The fixed blade is
a full six and one quarter inches long and is sturdy enough at
.18 inches thick. The tang is fixed to the butt cap by a set
screw. Overall, this is a knife with plenty of style and cutting
ability.
A
favorite source for grips for my prized 1911 pistols is Alumagrip.
This time they have outdone themselves with a fantastically
attractive showcase NRA presentation grip. This grip features
hand filling checkering that gives a good grip and the licensed,
special stylized NRA logo.
A
few words on the High Standard pistol illustrated. This
is the top end G Man, a pistol with many good features.
The example you see has fired over twenty thousand rounds of
full power ammunition. However, the finish degraded and
understandably so. I had the piece redone with Robbie
Barkmann’s trademark NP 3 finish. The pistol has also been
slightly modified with a Wilson Combat Mag Chute and
Wilson Combat Nite Eyes sights. This is my favorite .45
automatic and I have quite a few to choose from. Even after all
of this use, the pistol remains tight and reliable. It will
place five rounds of Black Hills 230 grain jacketed
hollow point into a one and one half inch group at twenty five
yards. On occasion, with a carefully tailored handload using the
Sierra 230 grain MATCH bullet it will do even better.
That is all we can ask.
The
pistol is most often carried in a first class shell horsehide
inside the waistband holster from K L Null. Ken Null
is quite simply our premier artisan of horsehide and one of the
most respected makers in the country. You would do well to
consult this ship for your concealed carry needs.
I
think that we should all support the NRA as well as the Second
Amendment Foundation. The road ahead may be rocky but
the fight is well worth fighting. It is not about gun ownership
but freedom. By supporting the NRA with a bit of style and flair
we have done our part. The licensed NRA products certainly are
first class and a credible fashion statement.
Sources
www.klnullholsters.com
- 161 School Street NW, Hill City Station, Resaca Ga. 30735
- Call 706 625 5643
www.benchmade.com
www.alumagrips.com
R.K.
Campbell
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