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Ghost Gun Misunderstanding Polymer80, Inc. was villainized by an NBC News article as a maker of so-called "ghost guns". "Nevada-based Polymer80 is one of the largest manufacturers of do-ityourself ghost gun kits in the country. But that success has also put the company in the crosshairs. Apolinar and Perez-Perez sued the company last year. Their suit—which alleges Polymer80 acted negligently and violated firearms laws—follows cases brought by the city of Los Angeles and by Washington, D.

C., which also accuse the company of disregarding state and federal gun laws. The Nevada-based company accounted for nearly 90 percent of handmade guns recovered in Los Angeles last year, records show.

Amid civil lawsuits, Polymer80 says it follows the law." So reads the NBC News article titled "Polymer80’s name has become synonymous with ‘ghost guns.’ Now it’s in the crosshairs." To none of our surprise, the article attempts to distort facts, sensationalize crime statistics, and turns a law-abiding company into a villain. Anti-Second Amendment politicians, advocacy groups, and members of the media use the label "ghost gun" to strike fear and trick the public.

Those individuals and groups want the public to believe that privately made firearms are synonymous with crime, even though thousands, if not millions, of Americans have lawfully engaged in this right and freedom for centuries. There is along, storied tradition of firearms use and innovation in America, including the freedom to participate in the build and customization of firearms.

Americans have, for centuries, participated in this great tradition in compliance with federal, state, and local laws applicable to them and American Gunsmith is proud to beapart of this. Polymer80, Inc. has been operating and continues to operate lawfully, in compliance with local, state and federal laws. The company’s name alone indicates this—at least to those understanding the law instead of fear mongering.

The 1968 Gun Control Act was passed to regulate interstate and foreign commerce in firearms, including importation, "prohibited persons", and licensing provisions. It included the provision to create federally licensed firearms dealers banning mail order sales of complete firearms. This included the definition for the purposes of federal law that the receiver or frame is legally the firearm, and as such it is the controlled part with a serial number.

Of course, anyone that makes, repairs, or modifies firearms (or has basic common sense…) realizes receivers and frames don’t just materialize; they have to be made from raw materials. So, when does apiece of raw material reach the stage of being a frame or receiver?

Given that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is the government’s official arbiter of such things (justified or not) they made a ruling, which remains on the ATF’s website in their Question and Answer section: ATF. gov/qa-category/receiver-blanks (direct: bit.ly/3jlt Ld U) "Are ‘80%’ or ‘unfinished’ receivers illegal? Receiver blanks that do not meet the definition of a ‘firearm’ are not subject to regulation under the Gun Control Act (GCA).

ATF has long held that items such as receiver blanks, 'castings' or 'machined bodies' in which the fire-control cavity area is completely solid and un-machined have not reached the 'stage of manufacture' which would result in the classification of a firearm according to the GCA." Polymer80, Inc. continues to challenge these misunderstandings and encroachments, including attempts to co-opt the term "ghost gun" for political purposes whether it be through outright bans on privately made firearms or illconceived restrictions.

Free Ballistics Calculator Winchester has released anew and improved ballistics calculator, relaunched as the Winchester Ballistics Calculator app. After listening to feedback from hunters and shooters, they made the tool easier to navigate and more customizable. The calculator can compare up to four different kinds of ammunition at a time via high-tech ballistic charts and trajectory graphs.

Users can enter custom shooting conditions for variables like elevation, wind speed, and ambient temperature and choose from seven different firearm categories including center-

fire rifle, handgun hunting, handgun target/defense and more. Variables include sight-in range, target range, cross wind effects, sight height, and elevation. The results are calculated and presented in an easy-to-read ballistics graph that illustrates bullet drop, flight time, line-of-site drop, and more. Different cartridges can be instantly compared and the results printed or saved. Try the new and improved Winchester Ballistics Calculator free online at Ballistics Calculator. Winchester.com.

A free app version can also be installed on your mobile device at the Apple store or Google Play store. Faxon EXOS Compensators A compensator is a device attached to the end of a barrel to help reduce muzzle flip and felt recoil. Muzzle flip occurs on nearly all handguns due to the bore axis (the longitudinal centerline of the barrel) being above the center of mass of the firearm while the grip is below the center of mass. When a handgun is fired, the bullet and escaping propellant gases create a reactional recoil.

This recoil travels backward along the bore axis. Since the shooter’s hands are on the grip of the handgun, below the bore axis and center of mass, it creates a rotational force. The force of the recoil combined with the countering pressure of the shooter’s grip creates torque. Faxon’s EXOS compensators (FaxonFirearms.com/PistolComps, help counter this with a series of ports. The first is located on top of the comp which uses the upward path of escaping gasses to push down the muzzle.

Further, the chamber at the muzzle end of the EXOS comp is angled, tapering up, which uses the escaping gas to push the muzzle forward. This is replicated on the two side ports. Instead of straight, vertical ports on the sides which only push gas out (side-toside), EXOS ports are angled forward which aids in reactional downward force. By angling the side ports you trade some of the forward push you usually get for more downward push, which can reduce the need for tuning the gun for reliable function.

Constructed of 6061 Aluminum then black anodized, EXOS compensators feature a uniquely angled front port single chamber design, enabling the compensator to improve consistency while reducing muzzle climb and recoil. The angled side ports allow gas to deflect upwards as opposed to only deflecting sideways, reducing up and down muzzle movement and improving reliability. The barrel protrusion is designed to fit flush with the slide and has been optimized for Faxon branded barrels.

During the development process, Faxon recorded the muzzle flip with a bare muzzle as the control measurement. Using a Glock 19 Gen 3, the bare muzzle averaged 21.1 degrees, a competitor compensator averaged 15.9 degrees (24.6% muzzle flip reduction compared to bare muzzle), and the EXOS-513 averaged 15.1 degrees (28.43% reduction).

Using a Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm, the bare muzzle averaged 23.7 degrees, a competitor compensator averaged 19 degrees (19.81% muzzle flip reduction), and the EXOS-514 averaged 18.1 degrees (23.62% reduction). AG