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It has been a little over four years since I
first reviewed the Pac-Lite
lightweight upper receiver/barrel units for the Ruger semi-auto
.22 Long Rifle pistols made by the good folks at Tactical
Solutions of Boise, Idaho. At that time, Tactical Solutions
was a relatively new company offering products unlike anything
else on the market. Upon first hearing of the Pac-Lite units, I
immediately fell in love with the concept, and ordered one the
same day. It proved to be not only much lighter in weight than
the standard barrel/receiver of the Mark I auto pistol, but also
greatly improved upon the already fine accuracy of that Ruger
pistol.
Since that time, Tactical Solutions has
introduced one successful product after another, with several of
their unique products reviewed here on Gunblast.com. About two
weeks ago, we were at the annual SHOT
Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, looking over interesting new
stuff scattered among lots of the same old products. As
expected, the Tactical Solutions booth was always crowded with
folks looking over the interesting and innovative new products
being shown by the crew from Boise. Of particular interest to me
was their new lightweight barrels being produced for the new Ruger
Charger pistol, particularly since Tactical Solutions
had borrowed my Charger develop the new barrels.
The barrels for the Charger are similar to the
barrels for the 10/22 rifle in that they are of a heavy profile,
but are light in weight, made with a stainless steel barrel
inside of an aluminum outer sleeve. Two lengths are offered for
the Charger; a twelve inch and a five and one-half, either
threaded or not. I have a five and one-half that is smooth on
the outside profile, and a twelve that is fluted. Both are
threaded to accept a muzzle break or a suppressor, and they
measure about .912 inch diameter. I have a Tactical Solutions
.22 caliber suppressor that I have grown to dearly love on my
10/22 and Mark 1 and Mark III .22 autos. My favorite ammunition
for these suppressed firearms is the Winchester Dynapoint
40 grain semi-hollowpoints. In the shorter barrels, the load is
subsonic, and very quiet. In the longer rifle barrels, it makes
more noise, but is still pleasant to shoot without ear
protection. I fired both barrels on the Charger with and without
the suppressor, and with and without the muzzle brake. The more
I shoot this Ruger Charger, the more I like it. Distributors
tell me that the Chargers are selling like crazy, so evidently,
shooters are realizing just how much fun these guns really are.
Aside from the practical use as a small game and varmint pistol,
the Charger is a lot of fun as an inexpensive and accurate
plinker and target pistol.
Using the same Charger action and the same Leupold
2.5 to 8 power scope, the accuracy of the Charger, which was
already very good, improved significantly using the Tactical
Solutions barrels. With my favorite Dynapoints and the Tac-Sol
twelve inch barrel, the Charger would consistently group well
under one inch at fifty yards. I tried some Wolf and PMC
Match ammo also, but it grouped about the same, and I like the
Dynapoint better. The Dynapoint is plated, hollow pointed, and
shoots like match ammo at half the price. The new Tactical
Solutions barrels do for the Charger what their lightweight
barrels did for the Ruger
Mark III, 10/22
carbine, and Browning
pistols. That is, they make an already great gun even better;
much lighter and more accurate.
Tactical Solutions has several other interesting
projects in the works, and I anxiously await the arrival of
their 1911 .22 Long Rifle conversion. If it is as reliable and
accurate as I think that it will be, it should be an instant hit
with shooters.
For a look at the entire line of Tactical
Solutions, barrels, upper receivers, suppressors, stocks, and
accessories, go to www.tacticalsol.com.
Jeff Quinn
 
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Click pictures for a larger version.




Tactical Solutions' muzzle brake is nicely designed and
effective.


Stainless barrel is contained within lightweight
aluminum outer sleeve.


Another nifty accessory available from Tactical
Solutions is their 10/22 magazine release.

Barrel attaches easily and securely.

Using Jeff's favorite suppressed load (Winchester's
Dynapoint), the Tactical Solutions barrels proved to be very
accurate.



Leupold 2.5-8x scope completes a very accurate, and very
fun, package.

For even more fun, try a Tactical Solutions suppressor!

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