The Firearm Blog

This year Kimber is introducing a tactical series of rifles. These rifles will come in three models.

Entering the tactical rifle market is no stretch for Kimber. Accuracy standards are already exceeded by lightweight hunting rifles, with durability proven in game fields around the world

LPT (Light Police Tactical)

• Black laminated stock with panel stippling.
• Mil-spec Picatinny rail.
• Scope rail secured with HD 8-40 screws.
• Oversize bolt handle.

Specs

Caliber: .308 Win.

Approximate Weight: 8lbs. 7oz.
Overall Length (inches): 43.25

Stock:
Sling swivel studs 3
Front swivel stud only for bipod.
Recoil pad (black) thickness (inches): 0.5 inches
Length of pull: 13.75 inches
Drop at heel: 1.75 inches
Drop at comb: 0.25 inches

Barrel:
Length: 24 inches
Heavy sporter contour
Finish: Matte blue
Twist rate (right hand): 12
Grooves: 4
Fluting
Match grade chamber

Action:
Full length Mauser claw extractor
Finish: Matte blue
Magazine capacity: 5
Pillar bedding
Glass bedding
3-position Model 70-type safety

Trigger:
Adjustable
Factory setting (pull) pounds: 3-3.5

Retail Price: $1258.00

Tactical

The Model 8400 Tacticalâ„¢ .308 Win. is based on the heavier Model 8400â„¢ action with an oversized bolt handle and knob. Specialized features include a heavy match grade barrel and McMillan stock with stippled texture. All metal surfaces are finished in matte black, and the stock incorporates a third sling swivel stud.

I like the stock

• McMillan A-5 stock with black/grey/green marble finish.
• Mil-spec Picatinny rail with 20-minutes of elevation.
• Scope rail secured with HD 8-40 screws.
• Oversize bolt handle.

Caliber: .308 Win.

Specs

Approximate Weight: 9lbs. 4oz.
Overall Length (inches): 43.5

Stock:
Sling swivel studs 5
Front swivel stud only for bipod.
Recoil pad (black) thickness (inches): 1 inch
Length of pull: 13.63 inches
Drop at heel: 0.43 inches
Drop at comb: 0.38 inches

Barrel:
Length: 24 inches
Bull contour
Finish: Matte blue
Twist rate (right hand): 12
Grooves: 4
Match grade chamber

Action:
Full length Mauser claw extractor
Finish: Matte blue
Magazine capacity: 5
Glass bedding
3-position Model 70-type safety

Trigger:
Adjustable
Factory setting (pull) pounds: 3-3.5

Retail Price: $1836.00

Advanced Tactical

The Model 8400 Advanced Tacticalâ„¢ is also chambered in .308 Win. Primary metal surfaces are coated in the premium KimPro II Dark Earth finish that is both self-lubricating and extremely resistant to wear and the elements. A McMillan fully-adjustable stock with a sling swivel stud and four flush swivel cups plus a premium hard case is standard.

• McMillan A-5 stock in desert camo.
• Mil-spec Picatinny rail with 20-minutes of elevation.
• Scope rail secured with HD 8-40 screws.
• Oversize bolt handle.

Specs

Caliber: .308 Win.
Approximate Weight: 9lbs. 13oz.
Overall Length (inches): Adjustable

Stock:
Sling swivel studs 5
Front swivel stud only for bipod.
Recoil pad (black) thickness (inches): 1 inch
Length of pull: Adjustable
Drop at heel: Adjustable
Drop at comb: Adjustable

Barrel:
Length: 24 inches
Bull contour
Twist rate (right hand): 12
Grooves: 4
Match grade chamber

Action:
Full length Mauser claw extractor
Magazine capacity: 5
Glass bedding
3-position Model 70-type safety

Trigger:
Adjustable
Factory setting (pull) pounds: 3-3.5

Retail Price: $2497.00

More here.

GunBlast.com reviews Kimber’s Advanced Tactical Rifle Kit

As neat as the kit is, though, if the rifle isn’t good it’s just window dressing. Kimber’s Advanced Tactical Rifle is chambered for the .308 round, the standard for law enforcement and many military applications. Probably the first thing most shooters will notice with the Advanced Tactical is the McMillan A-5 stock in desert camo. It is very striking in appearance, but it also incorporates a lot of really useful tactical features.

For example, it incorporates five sling swivel studs, one of which is only for bipod attachment. The others, however, offer the ability to attach a sling in various positions using quick detach swivel connectors. Since the rifle weighs close to 10 lbs without scope and bipod, a good sling is a necessity.

The choice of attachment points allows a tactical marksman to tighten up to use the sling for shooting from the seated or kneeling position or even from off hand but or have the option for switching attachment points for ease of carry. Length of pull is adjustable through removal or addition of spacers beneath the recoil pad. Drop at heel and drop at comb are adjustable as well. I also like the flat on the forearm which allows use of a sand bag or other rest.

More here.

Some great photos of 32 Magnum @ PAFOA ’s Mini-14

(I removed the serial numbers from the photos)

The first one is a Ruger Mini-14 Stainless model in .223. This one has been “modified” with a Choate stock, muzzle break/flash disperser, an inexpensive Eurolux 4x bullet drop compensating, side mount scope and an Eagle Ent. 36 round polymer, see through, constant tension spring magazine. With all the extras, 2″ groups are the norm for this piece. Not a tack driver, but certainly “good enough” for plinking, fun shooting and serious close in (less than 150 yard) tactical purposes. This piece is utterly reliable (only problems have been with Wolf polymer coated rounds) and everyone that has shot it has enjoyed the experience. Total cost of gun and accessories is around $525. I bought the basic gun, new, about 8 years ago for just under $400.

I think the Choate stock had a lot to do with the improvement in accuracy which I experienced. Yes, it is a tight fit, which is good - less wiggle room for the receiver to move around from shot to shot. The stock is lighter than the factory wood and very durable. The hand grip is probably one of the best features as it provides a more steady grip, at least for me. The hand grip and the fore stock have very aggresive checkering molded in and provide a non-slip grip. The rubber recoil pad on the butt adds just a little bit of extra reach and helps lock the stock into the shoulder. It is well worth the money if you want to improve the performance of your Mini-14. The muzzle break was probably the biggest contributor to accuracy - from what I’ve read recently, one of the factors affecting Mini accuracy is barrel harmonics because of the thin taper barrel. The new Target Mini has a barrel harmonic dampener - I think the muzzle break has a similar affect. It is not there just “for nice” it does work.

The full thread is here.