June 2025 eBlue Press

Read the June 2025 Edition of the eBlue Press and discover new products from Dillon Precision

e Blue Press the e-June 2025

NEW! DILLON’s Bullet Feeder Page 19

NEW! DILLON’s Auto-Center Decapping Die Page 19

What’s Inside:

Stephen M. Dillon - Publisher Mark G. Pixler - Editor, bluepress@dillonprecision.com Gary Kieft - Technical Editor This Issue’s Contributors: Copyright 2025 by Dillon Precision Products, Inc. the BLUE PRESS All the electrical and/or electronic components of Dillon equipment and all Dillon textiles are covered by a one-year warranty from date of purchase. Any modifications performed to Dillon machines, or the addition of any unapproved equipment, including automated or mechanical add-ons from other manufacturers, is expressly not recommended and will void the Dillon warranty. Issue #400 June 2025 5. Right to be Heard – YOU THE CUSTOMER should have the right to speak to someone of authority anytime you can’t get satisfaction through normal channels. If our sales representatives aren’t able to help you, our supervisors have a mandate to take customer-satisfaction issues all the way to the owner of the company if necessary. Editor’s Note: The Bill of Rights for Reloaders is Dillon Precision Products’ customer-satisfaction policy. It remains very much unchanged from the day the company was founded. The disclaimer about textile products and electrical or electronic components reflects the reality of how those products are produced in today’s world. Ultimately, our founder recognized that satisfied customers are our best advertising, and the only thing that differentiated his company from all the others at the time was the warranty and customer service he offered. We constantly strive to live up to his standards. Please let us know if we’re not succeeding. All of Dillon Precision’s customers have certain inalienable rights when they buy a reloading product: Dillon’s Bill of Rights for Reloaders 1. Right of Quality – YOU THE CUSTOMER have the right to expect a well-designed product, manufactured with quality materials and workmanship that does what the seller claims it will do. 2. Right to Test and Send-Back – YOU THE CUSTOMER should have the right to test the product on your own reloading bench for at least 30 days, and if it does not live up to your expectations, send it back for a full refund. 3. Right of Service – YOU THE CUSTOMER have the right to free, friendly, expert service and technical advice available through a toll-free phone number. This service should include prompt replacement of broken or bad parts – free of charge. 4. Right of Warranty – YOU THE CUSTOMER have the right to a lifetime warranty on any non-commercial-grade reloading product you purchase. Unfortunately, we can’t offer this warranty on textile products and electrical or electronic components. John Bibby Ken Hackathorn John Marshall Maureen P. Sangiorgio Duane Thomas Barrett Tillman Oleg Volk Clayton Walker

Combat Classic: Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32 ACP by Ken Hackathorn Page 8

The All-NEW FN Reflex XL MRD by Maureen P. Sangiorgio Page 10

Kittens or Pocket Tigers? Three of Beretta’s “Cat Guns” by Clayton Walker Page 22

KelTec Sub2000 5.7x28mm by Oleg Volk

Page 76

Product Index

Dillon Precision Reloading Machines: BL550

39 28 12 16 20 74 4 74 24 33 26 34 33 35 52 18 18 79 6 6

Square Deal B

RL550C XL750

SUPER 1050

RL1100

SL900 Shotshell Loader

Big Fifty Reloader .50 BMG Loader CP2000 Case Processing Machine

Vibratory Case Cleaners Case/Media Separators

RF100 Automatic Primer Filler Dillon Progressive Reloading Dies

Redding Reloading Dies Dillon Electronic Scale Reloading Components Ear & Eye Protection

36-37 88-89

Dillon Ammo Boxes & Bins Dillon Leather by Mitch Rosen

Dillon Range Bag Dillon Ammo Bag

Targets

Firearms Maintenance

64-71

A ttention D illon C ustomers : Because of changes to California’s Proposition 65 that took effect on August 30, 2018, companies doing business in California are mandated to provide warnings on products that may expose Californians to any one or more of a list of approximately 900 chemicals, including Lead, which are “known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.” The new regulation states that a warning must be “provided in the catalog in a manner that clearly associates it with the item being purchased.” Though we have no reason to believe our products could cause harm when used as intended, we now include the appropriate Proposition 65 warnings on some of our products to meet the California “safe harbor” requirements.

3 Blue Press

WARNING: The products offered for sale in this catalog can expose you to chemicals, including Lead, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov . ^ !

STANDARD FEATURES: • Made in the USA • Accommodates Over 160 Calibers • Uses Standard 7/8” x 14 Dies • Loading Rate: 400-600 Rds./Hr. • Interchangeable Toolhead Assembly • Automatic Powder Measure • Automatic Primer System • Lifetime Warranty • RISK FREE 30-Day Trial! $ 599 00* RL550C 14261 Reloading dies and caliber conversions sold separately. *Prices vary on exotic-caliber machines. ^

Total price as pictured with optional accessories: $1192.00 .45 ACP Die Set 14404 $129.00 .45 ACP Caliber Conversion 20126 $79.00 550 Strong Mount 22051 $99.00 Roller Handle 17950 $65.00 Low Powder Sensor 16306 $59.00 550 Bullet Tray Kit 22311 $74.00 550/750 Toolholder w/Wrench Set 11541 $50.00 550 Cartridge Case Bin/Bracket ^ 11185 $38.00

800-223-4570 • dillonprecision.com

4 Blue Press

RL 550C A ccessories

RL550 CASEFEEDER UPGRADE ^ Available for most pistol cartridges – will not work with rifle cartridges.

Large Pistol 14450 Small Pistol 14451

$435.00 (110v) CASEFEEDER CALIBER CONVERSIONS $49.00 each .25-20/.32-20 Winchester 14206 .30 Mauser/7.62x25 14204 .30 AAC Blackout 62226 .32 S&W Long 14205 .32 H&R Magnum 14283 9mm/9x21/.38 Super/.30 Luger 14284 10mm/9x25 Dillon 14285 .38 S&W 14208 .38 Super Comp. 14287 .38/.357 Magnum 14286 .357 SIG/.40 S&W 14289 .38-40/.44-40 Winchester 14288 .41 Magnum 14290 .44 Russian 14209 .44 Special/Magnum/Colt 14291 .45 GAP 11441 .45 ACP/.40 Super/.400 Cor-Bon 14292 .45 Auto Rim 19140 .45 Colt/.45 S&W/.454 Casull 14279 .45 Winchester Magnum 14210

RL550 CALIBER CONVERSION KITS ^

Contains: Shellplate, powder funnel and locator buttons. Available in all calibers; please specify caliber desired. RL550 CONVERSION $79.00 (Exotic calibers, $99.00 ^ )

AUTO POWDER MEASURE SYSTEMS ^

Additional powder measures stay on the toolhead. Never change powder measurements again! RL 550 Powder Measure 20782, $135.00 each Magnum Rifle Powder Bar 21353, $50.00 each X-Small Powder Bar 20780, $50.00 each DELUXE QUICK CHANGE ASSEMBLY ^ With a quick change assembly and a caliber conversion kit (SOLD SEPARATELY ), you can convert in less

EQUIPMENT DUST COVERS ^ This packcloth nylon machine cover comes equipped with a D-ring, allowing the heavy duty zipper to be locked. RL 550 Cover, 13795, $29.99 Master lock, 13083, $6.99 Quick-Change Cover ^ (for use with powder measure) 11143, $14.99

than a minute. Complete with: • Toolhead • Powder Measure • Powder Die • Toolhead Stand Price without Dies, 22058, $175.00 Loading dies sold separately on Pages 23 & 34. POWDER DIES ^

1” BENCH WRENCH

10842, $17.00 each

MACHINE MAINTENANCE KIT ^ Everything you need to keep your Dillon loader cleaned and lubricated up to factory specifications. Available alone or in combination with a spare parts kit for your machine. Maintenance Kit 22211, $40.00 Maint. Kit & Spare Parts Kit 97016, $65.00 550 SPARE PARTS KIT ^

Extra powder dies allow you to move your powder measure from toolhead to toolhead without changing the

“belling” adjustment. 20064, $25.00 each X-Large Powder Die, 21253, $28.00 each

2 Pickup Tube, Small, Yellow Tips 2 Magazine Orifices, Large 1 Toolhead Pin 2 Pickup Tube, Large, Green Tips 2 Magazine Orifices, Small 1 550 Primer Cup Spring 2 Retaining Clips 2 Dispensing Tip, Large 2 Dispensing Tip, Small 1 Failsafe Bushing Rev. B

1 Seating Punch, Small 1 #10 Tinnerman Insert 1 Primer Cup, Large 1 Primer Cup, Small

TOOLHEADS Don’t adjust dies when switching calibers. These precision tool holders hold your dies in perfect alignment, making caliber changes quick and easy. 13909, $35.00 each

1 Bellcrank Cube 1 3/8” Index Ball 1 550 Brass Tip Set Screw 1 550 Ejector Wire 1 Cartridge Retaining Spring 1 550 Slide Return Spring 4 Locator Pins (#1, #2, #3, #4)

TOOLHEAD STANDS The ultimate in convenience for keeping your reloading bench clean and uncluttered. 22055, $35.00 each

20048, $40.00

1 Seating Punch, Large 1 550 Index Ball Spring

UNIVERSAL MOUNTING HARDWARE KIT Includes: 4-Grade 5 Hex Bolts, 4-Lock Nuts, 4 Flat Washers, 4-Fender Washers, 2-Wood Screws. 14355, $10.00

5 Blue Press

Case Preparation Equipment

Vibratory Case Cleaners Case/Media Separators

CM2000 Case/Media Separator ^ CM500 Case/Media Separator ^

20675 21045

$139.00 $99.00

CV2001 – The Industry Standard Dillon’s CV2001 Vibratory Case Cleaner is one of the largest in the industry. Its 12-1/2 quart bowl capacity will allow you to polish up to 1,300 .38/.357 or 550 .30-06 cases per hour. Not only is our capacity greater than most, but our motor is also larger in horsepower, internally cooled, thermally protected, and turns on precision ball bearings. This is no “hobby” machine! The bowl and base are constructed of 7/32” thick injection molded high-strength polypropylene which is impact and abrasion resistant. Case/Media Separators After we sold thousands of our famous first generation FL- 2000 case cleaners, customers who had purchased them began asking us to address the problem of separating the cleaned and polished brass from the cleaning media. We knew from the beginning that the simplest method of separating would be a rotating squirrel cage, but we had to find a design we could manufacture economically. Our problem was that it had to be BIG – big enough to handle the entire load of the FL-2000 series case cleaners. The solution was an injection molded reversible part. Simple, and it works great. Our device is large,

10” x 14”, and will hold more than 1,600 .38 Special cases. It sits on a large media collection tub that measures 18” x 22”. The tub keeps the mess off the floor and bench. It’s fast – so fast it will remove media from 1500 rounds of .223 brass in a matter of seconds. Limited Work Space? Dillon created the CV750 heavy duty Vibratory Case Cleaner for those with limited space. This case cleaner uses the same motor as the CV2001 and is every bit as tough – just more compact. To accompany the CV750, the CM500 does the same job as the larger CM2000 Case/Media Separator; and, like the CV750, handles just about half the capacity of the larger unit. Although scaled down in size, these two pieces of equipment are every bit as tough as their full-sized counterparts. We used the same materials in their construction and designed them to work just as hard – and do it in a more compact area! CV2001 ^ , US 110v 20493 $249.00 CV750 ^ , US 110v 19455 199.00 Euro 220v CV-2001 ^ 22047 270.00 Euro 220v CV-750 ^ 19473 225.00

Don’t Forget Polishing Media! Crushed walnut hull polishing media quickly cleans even the dirtiest of cases and is the best solution for badly tarnished, range-pick-up brass. 12-pounds 13287 $26.50

D illon’s D.C.L. non- aerosol case lube is easy to use. Simply lay your cases out, spray lightly with one or two passes and you’ve done it. No mess, no guesswork. Within minutes the lubricant distributes itself around the cartridge cases and you’re ready to load. Try a bottle. You’ll never use a grease pad again.

R apid Polish 290 is the first cartridge case finish designed specifically to bring a brilliant shine (20 percent brighter than tumbling media alone) and a protective coating to reloaded ammunition. Simply add several capfuls to the media in your tumbler and run. Rapid Polish 290 has a great residual value and stays in your tumbling

media. You’ll use less each time you clean your cases. Rapid Polish 290 contains no ammonia, so it won’t weaken brass cases! Rapid Polish 290 8 oz. bottle. 13804 $12.99 Case (20 pc.) 20255 199.99

Ground corn cob polishing media is the best there is for that final polish. Leaves your brass looking better than factory new! 10-pounds 13496 $20.00 800-223-4570 • dillonprecision.com

13733 20256

$15.99 223.99

8 oz. bottle Case (20 pc.)

10 bottles of polish/10 of lube ^

21375

$209.99

Case (20 pc.)

6 Blue Press

coachwhip HERITAGE MANUFACTURING CO. ™

A stunning tribute to side-by-side shotguns of the Old West.

An heirloom-quality, side-by-side coach gun designed to transport you back to the rugged beauty of the American frontier. Whether displayed in a collection or put to use on the range, the Coachwhip is the perfect blend of tradition, craftsmanship and Western grit. Introducing the Heritage ® Coachwhip

WALNUT STOCK, CRAFTED FOR COMFORT AND STYLE

BREAK-OPEN ACTION WITH TANG SAFETY

SIDE-BY-SIDE 12-GAUGE WITH 18” BARRELS

EXPOSED HAMMER AND DOUBLE TRIGGERS

BEAUTIFUL CASE-HARDENED FRAME WITH UNIQUE COLORING

HERITAGEMFG.COM

combat classic: Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32 ACP

By Ken Hackathorn Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32 ACP Blue Press “Combat Classic” Evaluation Drill: Score = 149 History: In 1903 Colt Firearms introduced a John Browning de- sign pocket pistol in .32 ACP (7.65 mm Browning). This sleek little auto pistol was in fact a hammer-fired gun, but the hammer was enclosed in the slide, hence no ham- mer spur was present. The real beauty of this 1903 Colt was the fact that it was extremely thin, fitted with a grip safety and manual thumb safety. At a hair under 7” long, 5.5” tall and having a 4” barrel the thickness of the pistol itself was less than an inch, and the stock panels made it slightly wider. In the early half of the 20 th

with even weak hands was not an issue. They were the choice of both good and bad guys, issued to both spies and generals in WWII. The last ones manufactured by Colt were in 1945 with just a few assembled from parts in 1946. Colt chose to not re-introduce them to the marketplace after the Second World War, which was probably a wise move as the number of .32 ACP pistols liberated as war trophies and brought home by GIs flooded the American market with small pocket-style European pistols. Today the demand for M1903 Colt is strong within the collector market. Typical M1903 Colt Pocket .32ACPs come in two varieties…those that were carried regularly as pocket pis-

tols and have heavily worn finishes, and those that are in very nice condition having spent most of their life in someone’s sock drawer. Shooting Impression: I fetched my 1924-made M1903 out of the display case along with a few spare magazines and a new box of factory .32 ACP ball ammo and headed to the range. I hadn’t shot this gun since I purchased it over 30 years ago. While in nice condition, the small “hump and bump” sights caused some concern. The trigger pull is a nice clean 5.5-pound sear release. To say that the M1903 Colt is an easy pistol to shoot well is an understatement. Even with the small, “hard to see with 79-year-old eyes” sights, they worked well enough for me to discover upon scoring the target that I had shot a 149 out of a pos- sible of 150 points. The one

Combat Classic Evaluation Type: Timed Rounds: 30 total, 150 Points Possible Target: IDPA Silhouette Range: 3, 5, 7, 10, & 15 yards Start Position: Low Ready

Century, the Colt 1903 in .32 ACP was the dominant choice of pocket pistol carry in the USA. Colt introduced a .380 ACP version in 1908, but it never was as popular as the .32 ACP version. Over 570,000 were produced between 1903 and 1945. The “03” Colt had an eight- round magazine, thus with a round in the chamber it was a nine shooter. Depending upon one’s personal choice of manual of arms, it could be carried “Condition Three” with an empty chamber and full

Procedure: Stage 1. 3 yards. On signal fire 2 rounds in 1.5 seconds strong hand point shoulder position. Stage 2. 5 yards. On signal fire 2 rounds to the body and 1 round to the head in 3.0 seconds. Stage 3. 7 yards. On signal fire 2 rounds in 2.0 seconds. REPEAT for a total of 4 rounds. Stage 4. 10 yards. On signal fire 2 rounds, reload and fire 2 more rounds. (Start with only 2 rounds in the gun.) Time is 8.0 seconds for auto pistol, 10.0 seconds for revolver. Stage 5. 10 yards. On signal fire 2 rounds with both hands, 2 rounds strong hand only and then 2 rounds weak hand only. Time is 9.0 seconds. Stage 6. 10 yards. On signal fire 1 round in 2.5 seconds. Repeat for a total of 5 rounds. Stage 7. 15 yards. On signal fire 6 rounds in 8.0 seconds.

magazine requiring cycling of the slide to put the pistol into firing condition. A sec - ond option was to carry it fully loaded…round in the chamber and manual safety engaged. And the final op - tion was fully loaded without the manual safety engaged relying instead on utilizing just the grip safety. Unfortunately, the Model 1903 Colt was not ex- tremely drop safe. If dropped on the rear of the slide as would be the case if it typically fell out of your pocket, they had a nasty habit of discharging and oftentimes striking the owner. Nonetheless, they were extremely popular, and the lawyers had yet to get into the product liability business that is the case these days. On the plus side was the fact that the 03 Colts in .32 ACP were super reliable and functioned well with even a minimum of maintenance or lubrication. As a direct blowback action utilizing the .32 ACP car- tridge, these are very easy guns to shoot well. Operation

point I dropped was on Stage 7 at 15 yards. Even though the Colt 1903 doesn’t lock the slide back on the last shot, I still managed to change magazines (via the heel release) and shove a fresh magazine in place and cycle the side for my last two rounds on Stage 4. The best way I can describe the 1903 is a “really cool” pocket pistol from the first half of the 20th Century. If I had to choose a .32 ACP for self-defense the Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless would be just fine. With updates such as high-visibility sights, an enlarged thumb safety with positive detents, and a good firing pin safety system, it could be a contender today. Considering its place in history, I give the Colt M1903 .32 ACP a “C-Plus.”

D P 9 Blue Press

The All-New FN Reflex XL MRD

“With the Reflex XL MRD, FN has created the perfect blend of concealability and shootability.”

By Maureen P. Sangiorgio NRA-Certified Firearm Instructor/Range Safety Officer Oleg Volk Photos A few years ago, I qualified to serve on my old church’s security team. The man that ran the security department was a retired police officer, so he took the responsibility seriously. The training was very extensive, and included not only classroom lessons, with simulated shooting scenarios, but actual range live-fire testing. Looking back, if there was one lesson I learned out of all that training, it was that when in a self-defense, panic situation, one’s ac- curacy goes down. So when your life is on the line, along with that of your loved ones, the more capacity you have in your firearm, the better. That’s why it didn’t surprise me when I read that FN

America’s new Reflex ® XL MRD was a big hit at SHOT Show. Introduced in January, this new handgun features a slightly longer barrel than their Reflex semiauto pistol line, ergonomic updates to the grip, a new palm swell, an enhanced trigger guard undercut and an extended bea- vertail. It also comes with a 15-round standard capacity, plus an 18-round extended magazine. Read on to find out more about this new handgun which combines conceal- ment with confidence. Features The new Reflex XL MRD is a micro compact pistol chambered in 9mm. It features a 3.8-inch, cold ham- mer-forged, stainless-steel barrel with recessed target crown. It also has an internal hammer operated with ~5 lb., single-action-only trigger. The optics are mount

800-223-4570 • dillonprecision.com

10 Blue Press

compatible with the most popular concealed-carry red dots. Features also include two interchangeable grip backstraps for optimized comfort and length-of-reach adjustability, new palm swell, enhanced trigger guard undercut and an extended beavertail. Available in both black and flat dark earth (FDE) finishes. “The challenge in the concealed-carry 9mm category is to create a pistol that is easy to conceal while still being accurate and comfortable for users

footprints. It also has a high-visibility tritium front night sight with an orange-painted ring paired with all-black, squared U-notch rear sights. There are easy-grip front and rear slide cuts, and a low slide-racking force. Frame This frame is internal hammer-operated with ~5 lb., single-action-only trigger. It also features a slimline accessory rail patterned after the G lock 43X MOS rail;

compatible with SureFire XSC and Streamlight TLR-

to shoot and carry,” says Chris Johnson, Senior Product Manager for Pistols at FN America, LLC. “With the Reflex XL MRD, FN has created the perfect blend of conceal- ability and shootability. The standard 15-round grip helps manage recoil and makes the pistol easier to shoot, while still maintaining overall dimensions that make the pistol concealable at just 1.1 inches wide.” “The Reflex has

7 ® sub flashlights, and reversible magazine release. Available in

non-manual safety (NMS) configuration; all mod - els feature multiple internal passive safeties including firing pin block, trigger safety and fire control safety. Barrel The barrel on the new Reflex XL MRD is cold hammer forged, and target crowned for long-term durability and ac-

Field-stripped FN Reflex XL MRD.

curacy. Its polished chamber and ramp ensure feed for re- liability. It is also very concealable at only 6.75 inches

been overwhelm- ingly positive for FN,” says John Ryan, Director of Product Management for

and 20 ounces. The

FN Reflex XL sports a 3.8-inch cold ham-

FN America, LLS. “Customers appreci- ate the crisp trigger and compact size, which combine to make

mer-forged barrel for long-term durability. Safety Mechanisms The FN Reflex models are also easy to manipulate and safe to maintain. The internal ham- mer design allows pistol disassembly with-

the pistol very easy to conceal and operate. But never being satisfied, we pushed ourselves to con- tinue the evolution of Reflex. The result

is the Reflex XL MRD, giving a perfect solution for those looking for the confi - dence of a concealed-carry option that is more comfortable to shoot, while offering up to 18+1 capacity.” Slide & Sights

out pulling the trigger. Plus, multiple internal passive safeties – including firing pin block, trigger safety and fire control safety – make the FN Reflex XL an extremely safe and reliable con - cealed-carry pistol. For more information about the FN Reflex XL, please visit https://fnamerica.com/pistols/reflex-se - ries/ . To purchase any FN firearms, find an FN dealer near you at https://fnamerica.com/find-a-dealer/ . D P

This new handgun features an optics-ready slide which is compatible with micro red dot optics that share the Shield ® RMSc or Holosun ® 507K

11 Blue Press

STANDARD FEATURES: • Made in the USA • Automatic Indexing • Automatic Powder Measure • Automatic Linear Priming System • Uses Standard 7/8” x 14 Dies • Loading Rate: 500-800 Rds./Hr. • 5-Station Interchangeable Toolhead • Loads 115 Calibers Up To .338 Lapua • Index Block Roller for Smoother Indexing • Spring-Loaded Priming Station Case Locator • Lifetime Warranty • RISK FREE 30-Day Trial! $ 759 00* ????? Reloading dies and caliber conversions sold separately. *Prices vary on exotic-caliber machines. XL750 ^

Total price as pictured with optional accessories: $1814.00 Variable-Speed Casefeeder 21080 $355.00 Powdercheck System 21044 $99.00 .45 ACP Die Set 14404 $129.00 .45 ACP Caliber Conversion 21071 $125.00 750/650 Tall Strong Mount 22050 $99.00 Roller Handle 17950 $65.00 Low Powder Sensor 16306 $59.00 750/650 Bullet Tray Kit 22310 $74.00 550/750 Toolholder w/Wrench Set 11541 $50.00

800-223-4570 • dillonprecision.com

12 Blue Press

CALIBER CONVERSION KITS ^ Include shellplate, locator buttons, powder funnel and casefeed adapter parts. Available in most calibers; please specify caliber desired. (You MAY need a different casefeed plate) XL750/650 CONVERSION XL750 A ccessories

110/220v Variable-Speed Casefeed Assembly Large pistol 21080

$355.00 355.00 355.00 355.00 355.00 $55.00 55.00 65.00 55.00

21081 21079 21082 21083 21072 21075 18492 21074 21073

Large rifle Small pistol Small rifle Magnum rifle

Casefeed Plate ^ Large pistol ( pictured ) Large rifle ( pictured )

(Specify Caliber) $125.00* *(All belted magnums and exotic calibers, $145.00 ea.)

Magnum rifle Small rifle Small pistol

POWDER MEASURE ^

55.00

20782, $135.00 each Magnum Rifle Powder Bar

MACHINE MAINTENANCE KIT ^

21353, $50.00 each X-Small Powder Bar 20780, $50.00 each

Everything you need to keep your Dillon loader cleaned and lubricated up to factory specifications. Available alone or in combination with a spare parts kit for your machine. Maintenance Kit 22211, $40.00 Maint. Kit & XL 750 Sp. Parts Kit 97500, $75.00

QUICK CHANGE ^ Toolhead, Toolhead Stand and Powder Measure

22059, $185.00

TOOLHEADS 13863, $40.00 each POWDER DIES ^

SPARE PARTS KIT ^ 1 650 Ejector Wire 1 Slide Spring Pin

1 650 Tool Head Pin 2 Pickup Tube Tips, Large 1 Primer Cup Spring 2 Retaining Clips 2 650 Shellplate Cap 1 650 Primer Support Shim 1 Case Insert Slide Spring Cap 2 Dispensing Tips, Large 2 Dispensing Tips, Small 2 SDB #10 Rod Washer 1 550 Primer Slide Roller 1 Slide Roller Post 1 550 Slide Return Spring 1 Primer Retaining Pin Spring 1 XL 750 Primer Punch, Large 1 XL 750 Primer Punch, Small 1 XL 750 Primer Cup, Large 1 XL 750 Primer Cup, Small 1 XL 750 Primer Punch Spring 2 Adj. CF Port Cuff Nut 1 10-24 x 7/8” SHCS 1 Primer Retaining Pin

Extra powder dies allow you to move your powder measure from toolhead to toolhead without changing the “belling” adjustment. 20064, $25.00 each X-Large Powder Dies, 21253, $28.00 each

1 Indexer Spring 1 650 Index Pawl 1 650 Primer Cam

1 XL 750 Ring Indexer 2 Pistol Decapping Pins 1 650 Index Spring Revision A 1 #10 Tinnerman Insert 1 Index Arm Bowed Washer 1 Short Lever Spring 1 Powder Bar Spacer Plug 1 650 Brass Tip Set Screw 4 Locator Pins (#1, #2, #3, #4) 1 5/16” Index Ball 1 Tab/Spring Arm Spring 1 Case Insert Slide Spring 1 Bellcrank Cube 1 3/8” Index Ball 1 650 Pawl Spring 1 Index Ball Spring 2 Pickup Tube Tips, Small

TOOLHEAD STANDS The ultimate in convenience for keeping your reloading bench clean and uncluttered. 22055, $35.00 each

EQUIPMENT DUST COVERS ^ This packcloth nylon machine cover comes equipped with a D-ring, allowing the heavy-duty zipper to be locked. 750/650 Cover, 10443, $39.99 (P.) Master lock, 13083, $6.99 Quick-Change Cover (for use with powder measure) 11143, $14.99

75111, $55.00

XL750 PRIMING SYSTEM ^ (Not Pictured) Priming System Assembly 75100

$90.00

DON’T FORGET ONE OF THESE! Mounting Hardware Kit

14355 10842

$10.00 17.00

1” Bench Wrench

13 Blue Press

On the Cover

T his months cover model is Kayley, Dillon Precision Bullet Feeder! To see more photos of Kayley and other Blue Press cover models, showcasing the NEW follow us @bluepress. Unfortunately, Bowie doesn’t have his own Instagram account. Sorry!

S uper S 1050 1050 STANDARD FEATURES: • Made in the USA

• Loading Rate: 1000-1200 Rds/Hr • High Strength Ductile Iron Frame • Swages Military Primer Pockets • Automatic Indexing • Variable-Speed Casefeeder • Automatic Primer System • Automatic Powder Measure • Factory Adjusted Reloading Dies • One-Year Warranty • RISK FREE 30-Day Trial!

$ 2199 00* *Prices vary on exotic-caliber machines.

Total price as pictured with optional accessories: $2631.00 Super 1050/.223 Remington Carbide 21131 $2349.00 Powdercheck System 21044 $99.00 Low Powder Sensor 16306 $59.00 Bullet Tray 22215 $69.00 1050 Toolholder w/Wrench Set 62202 $55.00 800-223-4570 • dillonprecision.com

16 Blue Press

QUICK-CHANGE TOOLHEAD CONVERSION ^ Includes: •Toolhead S uper 1050 A ccessories

1050 PRIMER SYSTEM ^ Large primer system conversion Small primer system conversion EXTRA CASEFEED PLATE ^ Large pistol

20476 20419 21072 21075 21074 21073 20421 20420

$169.00 169.00 $55.00 55.00 55.00 55.00 $159.00 $170.00

Large rifle Small rifle Small pistol

1050 POWDER MEASURE ^

1050 TOOLHEAD ^

•Powder Measure •Toolhead Stand

TOOLHOLDER Keeps the tools you need handy and organized! Wrenches included.

21393, $325.00

CALIBER CONVERSION ^ Includes: •Shellplate •Locator Buttons •Swage Backup Rod/Expander

With bracket 62202, $55.00 W/O bracket 62203, $50.00

(Extra Toolhead Stands available separately 62200, $65.00 )

•Casefeed Adapter •Casefeed Plunger •Powder Funnel

BULLET TRAY Designed for “economy of motion” when loading.

Pistol Calibers

Conversion#/Price 20633/$195.00 20634/$195.00 20634/$195.00 20483/$195.00 20482/$195.00 21525/$195.00 20484/$195.00 21057/$195.00 20477/$195.00 20477/$195.00 20068/$195.00 21160/$195.00 20545/$195.00 20788/$195.00 20478/$195.00 20479/$195.00 20479/$195.00 21161/$195.00 21010/$195.00 20480/$195.00 20481/$195.00 20890/$235.00 20833/$235.00 20833/$235.00 20834/$235.00 Conversion#/Price 20485/$195.00 21055/$220.00 21054/$220.00 20896/$220.00 call call 62403/$220.00 20468/$220.00 21053/$220.00 20626/$220.00 20631/$235.00 62252/$235.00 21052/$220.00 20466/$235.00 21051/$220.00 21049/$220.00 21050/$285.00 62179/$450.00 20893/$235.00 21056/$255.00 call call

Machine#/Price 21162/$2199.00 21134/$2199.00 21134/$2199.00 21135/$2199.00 21067/$2199.00 21132/$2199.00 21069/$2199.00 21136/$2199.00 21137/$2199.00 21127/$2199.00 21158/$2199.00 21070/$2199.00 21138/$2199.00 call 21139/$2199.00 21140/$2199.00 21141/$2199.00 21159/$2199.00 21002/$2199.00 21061/$2199.00 21133/$2199.00

22215, $69.00

.32 ACP

.32 S&W Long .32 H&R Magnum

.380 ACP

9mm Parabellum

9x25 Dillon .38 Super

.38 Super Comp

.38 Special

.357 Magnum

.357 SIG

.38-40 Winchester

MACHINE COVER ^ This nylon cover adds security to your loading bench. Comes equipped with a D-ring, allowing the heavy-duty zipper to be locked. 13239, $49.99 Master lock 13083, $6.99

.40 S&W

10mm

.41 Magnum .44 Special .44 Magnum

.44-40 Winchester

SPARE PARTS KIT ^ 1 Super 1050 Spring Bushing 1 Cam Guide Bolt 1/4-20 1 Super 1050 Toolhead Spring 1 Priming Station Retaining Tab 1 Ratchet Restriction Tab 4 Lock Ring Inserts

1 Tab/Spring Arm Spring 2 Pickup Tube Tips, Small, Yellow 2 Magazine Orifices, Large, Red 2 Pickup Tube Tips, Large, Green 2 Magazine Orifices, Small, Blue 2 Retaining Clips 1 Slide Roll Pin Sleeve 2 Dispensing Tips, Small 2 Dispensing Tips, Large

.45 GAP .45 ACP .45 Colt .460 S&W

call call call

.475 Linebaugh

.480 Ruger

62370/$2499.00* 20428/$2499.00* Machine#/Price 21130/$2299.00 21131/$2349.00* 21129/$2299.00* 21126/$2299.00* 62282/$2499.00* 62411/$2499.00* 62404/$2299.00* 21150/$2299.00* 18491/$2299.00* 21142/$2299.00 21144/$2299.00* 20096/$2299.00* 62388/$2399.00* 21003/$2299.00* 21110/$2299.00* 21060/$2299.00* 21058/$2299.00 21068/$2349.00* 21059/$2299.00* 62178/$2349.00*

.50 Action Express .500 S&W Magnum Rifle Calibers .223 Remington .223 Rem./Carbide

3 Pistol Decapping Pins 2 #10 Tinnerman Inserts 1 1/4” E-Clip 3 Bellcrank Cubes

.22-250

.243 Winchester

20779, $65.00

6.5 Grendel

6.5x55 Swedish 6.5 Creedmoor

6.8 SPC

.270 Winchester

.30 Carbine

7.62x39 7.62x54

.300 AAC Blackout/Carbide 62374/$195.00

.30-30 Winchester

.300 WSM .303 British

.308 Winchester .308 Win./Carbide .30-06 Springfield .30-06 Sp./Carbide

A heavy, high-quality tray large enough for the Federal primer package. 13606, $35.00 ea.

call

.325 WSM

21064/$2299.00*

.45-70 Government

17 Blue Press

Dillon’s Range Bag ^ B orrowing design features from Dillon’s

original range bag, but with upgraded metal D-rings and clips for the shoulder strap, Dillon’s “Retro” Gray Range Bag is constructed of heavy-duty ballistic nylon. The primary compartment measures 14-1/4” x 7” x 8” and features two interi- or pockets measuring 6-1/2” x 6-3/4” with hook-and-eye closure flaps. An additional interior pocket measures 5” x 7-1/2”. The top cover can be quickly secured via hook-and-loop strips at the end or by two side zippers. There are two zip-up outer compart- ments measuring 12” x 8” x 1-1/2”. One of the outer compartments features extra padding for carrying a handgun, and the other has an external zippered compart- ment for pens, pencils, etc.

33389 $139.99

D illon’s two-compartment ammo bag is constructed with a flexible inner liner that will allow the entire volume to be accessible from either zippered opening. You’ll never again mix “Border Shift” Ammo Bag ^

fired brass with loaded rounds! Border Shift Ammo Bag, Black

13755 14575

$35.99

I.D. Card Holder ^

2.99

Dillon’s Pistol Case ^

Dillon’s Shooting Mat

O ur pistol case was designed to hold and protect your pistol and carry 200 rounds of ammunition! The back side of the durable, ballistic nylon case features two pockets that will accept Dillon’s 100-round ammo boxes. The case features a heavy-duty, locking YKK zipper, closed-cell foam padding and a suede-textured fabric liner to protect your pistol’s finish. Measures 14” x 9”. 12709 $39.99

D illon’s Shooting Mat is made of tough ballistic-weave nylon fabric, with a large skid-resistant elbow pad area. The “ground” side is moisture resistant and wipes clean easily. The padding is dense, closed-cell foam to provide both shooter comfort and a stable shooting base. The mat is equipped with a shoulder strap, a carry handle and two straps with snap-release buckles. Dimensions: 66” x 27.75” 18146 $89.99

800-223-4570 • dillonprecision.com

18 Blue Press

Dillon’s NEW Bullet Feeder D illon Precision’s bullet feeder features the same quality and attention to detail you’ve come to expect from Dillon, and it has several key advantages compared to our competitors: • Unparalleled reliability, with over 50,000 rounds tested, there have been ZERO bullets dropped upside down. • Our new design works much better with longer high B.C. (Ballistic Coefficient) rifle bullets that are typically very cumbersome to use. Utilizing different bullet disks for shorter and longer bullets allows users to customize the bullet feeder to match a specific bullet type, without the need for “fine tuning.” • Dillon’s modern manufacturing process results in low-cost conversion kits between calibers, while allowing for fast and efficient improve - ments throughout the development process. It also allows us to pass on a lower cost to our customers. You can order Dillon’s Bullet Feeder with the appropriate mounting post for either your XL750/XL650 or RL1100/Super 1050. ( See stock numbers below .) At our introductory price of $399.99 , it’s much more affordable than its primary competitor! Bullet Feeder for .223/5.56 XL750 91113 RL1100 91125 $399.99 Bullet Feeder for .300/.308/7.62 XL750 91114 RL1100 91126 399.99 Bullet Feeder for 9mm/.355/.357 XL750 91115 RL1100 91127 399.99 Bullet Feeder for 10/.40 XL750 91116 RL1100 91128 399.99 Bullet Feeder for .45 XL750 91117 RL1100 91129 399.99 .223/5.56 Caliber Conversion 91108 99.99 .300/.308/7.62 Caliber Conversion 91109 99.99 9mm/.355/.357 Caliber Conversion 91110 99.99 10/.40 Caliber Conversion 91111 99.99 .45 Caliber Conversion 91112 99.99

Give the Gift of Dillon! Dillon’s Auto-Center Decapping Die

E ngineered for performance, speed and reliability, the Dillon Precision Auto- Center Decapping Die is a purpose-driv- en solution for depriming almost any centerfire cartridge. Made in the USA and crafted from hardened steel, this die is designed to handle the demands of high-volume reloading. The patented auto-centering shuttle ensures perfect case alignment every time – eliminating wobble and drastically reducing the risk of broken decapping pins. No adjustments. No guesswork. Just clean, consistent primer removal. The integrated popper mechanism uses spring tension to actively eject spent primers, keeping your press running clean and efficient. The Auto-Center Decapping Die is universal and will work for any centerfire cartridge. It’s available in Standard (Up to .308 Win) and Large (up to .338 Lapua) sizes. Standard ( pictured ) 10650 $70.00 Large 10651 80.00

N ot sure what gift to get that firearms enthusiast, collector, shooter, reloader or general all-around outdoorsy type? That can be a tough choice, but Dillon Precision can help! Our gift cards are valid for ALL products that we sell (not just Dillon-branded items) including firearms parts and accessories, reloading components, and all the other products in our catalog or online. Our Gift Cards can now be redeemed

online during checkout OR through our Customer Support Team for phone orders. Digital Gift Cards ONLY – will be emailed to recipient right after checkout.

19 Blue Press

RL1100 STANDARD FEATURES: • Made in the USA • Eccentric Roller Bearing Drive System • Smoother Operation, Less Effort • Heavier Frame for Greater Rigidity • Upgraded Primer Pocket Swager • User-Replaceable Swage Rod Tip • Spring-Loaded Priming Station Locator • Reinforced Toolhead Bolt & Washer • Improved Shellplate Indexing System • 1050 Caliber-Conversion Compatible • Two-Year Warranty • RISK FREE 30-Day Trial!

$ 2399 00* *Prices vary on exotic-caliber machines.

RL1100 pictured as it comes from the factory. 800-223-4570 • dillonprecision.com

20 Blue Press

QUICK-CHANGE TOOLHEAD CONVERSION ^ Includes: •Toolhead RL1100 A ccessories

PRIMER SYSTEM ^ Large primer system conversion Small primer system conversion EXTRA CASEFEED PLATE ^ Large pistol

66217 66216 21072 21075 21074 21073 20421 66024

$169.00 169.00 $55.00 55.00 55.00 55.00 $159.00 $170.00

Large rifle Small rifle Small pistol

POWDER MEASURE ^ 1100 TOOLHEAD ^

TOOLHOLDER Keeps the tools you need handy and orga- nized! Wrenches included.

•Powder Measure •Toolhead Stand

66215, $325.00

With bracket 62202, $55.00 W/O bracket 62203, $50.00

CALIBER CONVERSION ^ Includes: •Shellplate •Locator Buttons •Swage Backup Rod/Expander

BULLET TRAY Designed for “economy of motion” when loading.

•Casefeed Adapter •Casefeed Plunger •Powder Funnel

22215, $69.00

MACHINE MAINTENANCE KIT ^ Everything you need to keep your Dillon loader cleaned and lubricated up to factory specifications. Maintenance Kit 22211, $40.00

Pistol Calibers

Conversion#/Price 20633/$195.00 20634/$195.00 20634/$195.00 20483/$195.00 20482/$195.00 21525/$195.00 20484/$195.00 21057/$195.00 20477/$195.00 20477/$195.00 20068/$195.00 21160/$195.00 20545/$195.00 20788/$195.00 20478/$195.00 20479/$195.00 20479/$195.00 21161/$195.00 21010/$195.00 20480/$195.00 20481/$195.00 20833/$235.00 20833/$235.00 20834/$235.00 Conversion#/Price 20485/$195.00 21055/$220.00 21054/$220.00 62403/$220.00 20896/$220.00 call call 20468/$220.00 20626/$220.00 20631/$235.00 62374/$195.00 21052/$220.00 21049/$220.00

Machine#/Price 66107/$2399.00 66109/$2399.00 66109/$2399.00 66108/$2399.00 66100/$2399.00 66139/$2499.00* 66111/$2399.00 66112/$2399.00 66113/$2399.00 66114/$2399.00 66115/$2499.00 66121/$2399.00 66116/$2399.00 66117/$2399.00 66118/$2399.00 66119/$2399.00 66120/$2399.00 66122/$2399.00 66123/$2399.00 66101/$2399.00 66124/$2399.00 66125/$2499.00* 66126/$2499.00* Machine#/Price 66103/$2499.00 66102/$2549.00* 66127/$2499.00* 66133/$2499.00* 66129/$2499.00* call call 66130/$2499.00* 66131/$2499.00* 66110/$2499.00 66132/$2499.00* 66106/$2549.00* 66134/$2499.00* 66105/$2499.00 66104/$2549.00* 66136/$2499.00*

.32 ACP

.32 S&W Long .32 H&R Magnum

.380 ACP

9mm Parabellum

9x25 Dillon .38 Super

MACHINE COVER ^ This nylon cover adds security to your loading bench. Comes equipped with a D-ring, allowing the heavy-duty zipper to be locked. 13239, $49.99 Master lock 13083, $6.99

.38 Super Comp

.38 Special

.357 Magnum

.357 SIG

.38-40 Winchester

.40 S&W

PRIMER PICKUP TUBES Used to transfer primers from flip tray to priming system. 1 Lg. 22029 $12.00 1 Sm. 22028 12.00 2 Sm., 2 Lg. 20056 45.00 4 Lg. 20050 45.00 4 Sm. 20049 45.00 PRIMER FLIP TRAY 2 Primer Punch Springs 2 1/4-20 3/8 BH Screws 4 Locator Pins (#1, #2, #3, #4) 1 Tab/Spring Arm Spring 2 Pickup Tube Tips, Small, Yellow 2 Magazine Orifices, Large, Red SPARE PARTS KIT ^ 1 Super 1050 Spring Bushing 1 Cam Guide Bolt 1/4-20 1 Ratchet Restriction Tab 4 Lock Ring Inserts 3 Pistol Decapping Pins 2 #10 Tinnerman Inserts 1 1/4” E-Clip 3 Bellcrank Cubes

2 Pickup Tube Tips, Large, Green 2 Magazine Orifices, Small, Blue 2 Retaining Clips

10mm

.41 Magnum .44 Special .44 Magnum

.44-40 Winchester

2 Dispensing Tips, Small 2 Dispensing Tips, Large CP/RL 1100 Toolhead Spring

.45 GAP .45 ACP .45 Colt

Blue Failsafe Strip Nut Power Bar Spacer Plug Primer Slide Roller

.475 Linebaugh

.480 Ruger

.50 Action Express .500 S&W Magnum Rifle Calibers .223 Remington .223 Rem./Carbide

Primer Slide Roller Screw Primer Station Locator Tab Primer Station Locator Spring Primer Station Locator Bushing

66206, $65.00

.22-250

.243 Winchester 6.5 Creedmoor

6.5 Grendel

6.8 SPC

.30 Carbine

7.62x39

.300 AAC Blk./Carbide .30-30 Winchester .308 Winchester .308 Win./Carbide .45-70 Government

call

62257/$240.00

TOOLHEAD STAND If you have more than one toolhead set up for your machine, this is a must have to store it.

A heavy, high-quality tray large enough for the Federal primer package. 13606, $35.00 ea.

62200, $65.00

21 Blue Press

Kittens or Pocket Tigers?

By Clayton Walker The Italians seem to do tiny things pretty well: tiny sunglasses that were once the epitome of chic, tiny two- seater roadsters, and tiny little cups of coffee that will wallop you with a jolt of caffeine. Though Beretta’s

Of course, we all want to know about the shooting. At the distances at which a small gun like this would be employed for the usages involved, the Puma avails itself well. Sights are actually pretty darn good for

a late-50s firearm, and reliability is absolutely excellent thanks to the open-top slide – and provided that the operator uses a factory original

magazine with FMJ ammo. Aftermarket mags and JHPs tend to provide nothing but

iconic Model 92 now strikes many shooters as big and

headaches.

All that said, perfect cen- ter-punches are easier talked about than accomplished.

bulky in an era awash with polymer subcompact guns, for a long while their handgun lineup followed in that Italian tradition of being small and impeccably designed.

Though the lowly .32 ACP is unlikely to beat one’s hands up, the Puma is still a blow-

While the Internet and social media continue to make the world smaller and smaller, there’s surprisingly little at- tention paid to two “Series” of Beretta guns that preceded the company’s iconic Model 92: those are the 70-Series and 80-Series firearms, affectionately known as the Puma and Cheetah models. Especially as shooters become more comfortable with shrinking frame sizes – we’re living in an era when concealed carry is at its zenith – I think these particular guns should be on more people’s radars. We’ll start with the Model 70. The design roots of this pistol stretch back to Beretta’s M1934/5, a gun that looks a little ungainly to modern eyes. While the M1934/5 had unmistakable Beretta DNA, including the company’s signature open-top side design, they were cumbersome to operate.

back-operated gun in a cen- terfire caliber, which means that recoil is appreciably snappy. I would put it at the level of a CCW-sized 9mm. Users expecting it to kick like a .22LR will likely be surprised. (It should be noted, however, that Beretta did indeed produce .22-chambered Series 70 guns, which it dubbed the “Jaguar” models.) Additionally, we need to remember the Puma is a de- sign of its time and place: it replaced the M1934/5, which itself was intended as a police arm. As such, the gun has a decidedly “police-spec” trigger pulls of about seven pounds. It’s not an insurmountable pull weight, but on such

The Puma, unlike its predeces- sor, allowed the user to drop the slide via a thumb-mounted release and disengage the safety one-handed. It also did away with the “Euro”- style heel magazine release in favor of a button in the bottom of the grip. All of this sounds ho-hum now, but these were significant ergonomic upgrades back in the late ‘50s. My Puma is of the earlier

a small gun it does mean that the barrel can be pushed to-and-fro that much easier when the sear finally trips. Mechanically, the gun is very accurate,

but it will need a good shooter to wrangle it. Naturally, we come to some discussion of the .32 ACP for any kind of defensive job. Charitably, I’ll say this: it wouldn’t be my first choice . The good news is that most sources agree the round is a decent penetrator for its cal- iber. I don’t know how motivated or capable I would be to continue an act of aggression if I had a few .32-caliber pills lodged in my brain, sinuses, or soft palate. I would say that a person’s comfort with carrying the Puma will come down to their ability to place three or four quick headshots inside of 7 yards. If that’s a

type, which included a push-button, crossbolt safety. The 70S would incorporate a 1911-like,

thumb-operated safety. This is the more popular control, but I find the cross-bolt works fine and preserves the clean lines of the Series 70.

800-223-4570 • dillonprecision.com

22 Blue Press

A Look at Three of Beretta’s “Cat Guns”

performance metric that’s made unachievable due to some combination of the gun’s slenderness, the stiff trigger, or the whip of the recoil impulse, it’s best to look elsewhere. And one should also keep in mind the sin- gle-stack magazine doesn’t permit too many mistakes. Moving to the Cheetah family, as represented by my Model 84BB, things become a little more familiar to the modern shooter, or at least to those shooters well-versed with the Model 92. With the Series 80 guns, the mag release is located closer to the trigger guard, the gun func- tions in the DA/SA mode, and at least with the 84 and 86 models, the guns feature a double-stack magazine. Incidentally, I’ve found that while the Series 70 and Series 80 guns were chambered in both .32 and .380 ACP, it’s more common to find Pumas in the smaller caliber and Cheetahs launching the more potent rounds.

you can usually get one or the other out of the cartridge, but not both. Serious business aside, the Series 80 guns are definitely a jump into the future from their Series 70 ancestors. The modern Beretta DNA is more evident, and they tend to work very well for a wide variety of users, including those with small hands and those who are slight of build. I still think they’re great choices for defensive or target work! If you found yourself thinking that this set of features and shootability seems poised to make a comeback, you’re not alone – in fact, Beretta itself agreed the Series 80 was too good a design to lie dormant. In 2023, Beretta released the 80X pistol , a Series 80 gun brought screaming into the ultra-modern era with an optic-ready slide, forward slide serrations, and aftermarket threaded barrels available from the factory. Although the Cheetahs worked for a lot

Despite the power upgrade, I’ve found the Cheetahs to shoot simi- larly to the Pumas. The Series 80 Berettas are quite a bit more ergo- nomic, and even the single-stack

of smaller-handed shooters, the 80X really leans into user-friendliness. It’s still a blowback-operated firearm, but Beretta tuned the recoil and hammer springs on the gun to both lower the recoil impulse and make the

Model 85 sits in the hand a little less narrowly than the Series 70 guns. With the Model 84 and 86, the fatter

frame does a better job of distribut- ing forces across a larger surface of the hand, making most differences in recoil a wash when compared to their predecessors. By the time that the Series 80 guns moved from the B/BB series to the F/FS models, the Cheetahs became even more of a “mini-92” with a similar philosophy of use. While the BB guns did have dou- ble-action functionality, using it

slide easier to rack for those with limited hand strength. The design revisions also make the 80X a spiritual successor to the Model 86 – that gun sought to eliminate the problem of stiff slide racking through a cleverly-designed tip-up barrel. You or I might not be the targets of these design modifications, but if such innovations keep our older friends and relatives shoot- ing, I’m all for them. Now, if you really want proof that everything old becomes new again, listen to this: just this year, Beretta announced plans to offer a .32 ACP conversion kit for the 80X – like the 80-Series guns, all you need to do is swap the barrel and magazine and you’re rolling. Looking at it purely recreationally, it makes the 80X even softer shooting. If those kits include a threaded barrel (and a good compensator), you’ll have a makings of a tiny-sized competition gun. When all’s said and done, Beretta’s small-framed offer- ings are no mere mouse guns. While each person will be able to make a clear-eyed assessment of how comfortable they are with the ballistics of either .32 ACP or .380 Auto, these are elegant and sweet-shooting autoloaders that deserve a place in the collection of a real enthusiast. After adopting a few of these cats, I certainly have room enough in the house for a few more. D P

required manually lowering the hammer on a live round. Given the small dimensions and stiff hammer spring, I wasn’t ever comfortable with that process. The F/FS models redesigned the safety to serve as a de- cocker, however, making it a little less hair-raising to actu- ally use the DA functionality for those who preferred that carry method. Given that the 80-Series Berettas feature a very good DA trigger, these models are what I prefer. Like the Pumas, the Cheetah models typically run like… well, let’s just say the name is fitting. Accuracy is almost always better than the majority of shooters can wrangle, and follow-up shots are quick and intuitive. Performance-wise, I’d trust .380 ACP hollow-points to both expand and offer adequate penetration; ballistic testing of various .32 ACP rounds tends to reveal that

23 Blue Press

Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76 Page 77 Page 78 Page 79 Page 80 Page 81 Page 82 Page 83 Page 84 Page 85 Page 86 Page 87 Page 88 Page 89 Page 90 Page 91 Page 92

www.dillonprecision.com

Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online