It’s Saturday and time for your weekly 2A/shooting roundup, Saturday Shootaround. We’ll dispense with the verse/quotes portion of this week’s edition of the Shootaround due to the volume of news this week.
First up is the SCOTUS decision in NRA v Vullo. This case centers on the fact that New York State Department of Financial Services Superintendent Maria T. Vullo used her official position to pressure financial and insurance firms into not doing business with the NRA. In a unanimous decision, the Supremes ruled that the 2nd Circuit erred in dismissing the case. The case has been remanded to the 2nd and will be allowed to go forward.
While the decision is an important one, it is not as cut and dried as it may seem. Sonya Sotamayor – who wrote the opinion – seemed to indicate that Vullo might be able to claim qualified immunity in the case. We’ll find out more as the case goes forward.
Mossberg has announced a new home defense shotgun, the Silver Reserve Eventide HS12. The HS12 is a shortened version of their Sliver Reserve over-unders. This 12 gauge shotty comes with 18.5″ cylinder bore barrels, a fiber optic front sight and a pair of picatinny rail attachment points. Black synthetic furniture is standard and the overall length is 36″. MSRP for the HS12 is $700.
One of my favorite GunTubers, Brandon Herrera aka the AK Guy, nearly shocked the political world this week. He was running for the Republican nomination for US House in Texas 23. It looks like he came up 429 votes short. His opponent was a swamp creature named Tony Gonzales. Gonzales voted for more gun control several times during his time in congress.
While the count is close enough for a recount, it is unclear if one will happen. The State of Texas requires a significant deposit for recounts.
The Smith & Wesson Performance center has released a new Jerry Miculek signature series revolver. The Model 327 WR is a 9x19mm revolver with a scandium N-Frame and includes an 8-shot titanium cylinder. It has a 5-inch barrel and weighs in at 35.52oz. It has a wood laminate grip and a brass bead front sight along with an optics cut frame with the C.O.R.E.Optic-plate system and a VORTEX COMPDOT 8MOA red dot included. Miculek’s signature model ships in a custom PELICAN hard case with a speedloader and five moon clips.
Here’s what S&W had to say:
Designed in partnership with Professional Shooter and S&W Brand Ambassador, Jerry Miculek, the Model 327 WR boasts features that embody speed and accuracy. This lightweight 9MM handgun is built on a scandium N-Frame and includes a titanium cylinder that allows the user to quickly and precisely transition between targets. Included with the brass bead front and adjustable rear sight package, is a Vortex® COMPDOT and C.O.R.E.™ optic-plate system for revolvers, that accommodate a wide range of optics to enhance the shooter’s experience. The revolver also features a JM Signature laminated wood grip that provides optimal ergonomics for any necessary adjustments needed between holster draw and target acquisition.
At the Smith & Wesson Headquarters Grand Opening weekend in October of 2023, Jerry set two NRA World Records with his Model 327 WR prototype, making history once again and further positioning himself as one of the greatest shooters to ever do it. The records included the fastest time to hit six steel plates at 7 yards from the draw with a 9mm handgun in 2.01 seconds, and the same with a revolver in 1.88 seconds. “Crafted from the blueprint of shooting excellence, the new Model 327 WR is more than just a high-performance firearm – it’s a legacy. With modern upgrades to an already trusted platform, Jerry’s new signature revolver is a tribute to the mastery of precision and the art of sports shooting perfected by Jerry himself,” said Corey Beaudreau, Product Manager.
The Performance Center® Model 327 WR includes an 8-round capacity, 5-inch ported stainless-steel barrel, smooth double-action trigger and is a limited-release of 1,880 units, to reflect Jerry’s recent record time of 1.88 seconds. The revolver ships in a custom PELICAN® hardcase with a foam insert to safely secure the handgun and all of its included accessories.
MSRP for the Model 327 WR Jerry Miculek is $3499
Gun Porn
Today’s featured gun is truly a piece of American History. It’s a Parker, Snow & Co. .58 cal rifled musket. This particular rifled musket has provenance pointing to belonging to Corporal David C. Laird 4th Michigan Infantry Company A at Gettysburg.
Here’s what the seller has to say:
NSN, made in 1863, .58 caliber, 40″ armory bright rifled barrel. ID’d Gettysburg musket belonging to Corporal David C. Laird 4th Michigan Infantry Company A. Wounded on July 2nd in the Wheatfield and died from wounds 2 months later. The butt-plate is marked “D.C. LAIRD/CO.A. Scattered surface oxidation is visible on metals surface. Stock is in good plus condition with two cartouches visible. Minor combat wear is present. Bore is very good with minor frosting noted in the grooves, lock plate is dated 1863. Gregory A. Coco’s book “Killed In Action; Eyewitness accounts of the Last Moments of 100 Union Soldiers Who Died at Gettysburg” page 46 describes Reverend Parvin’s account of meeting Corporal Laird on the field and until he succumbed to his wounds.
The buy-now price for this wonderful piece of history is $18500