First Look: Nosler M48 Independence Handgun

by
posted on January 23, 2019
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
noslerm48independence_lead.jpg

Calling all handgun hunters: Nosler has something new just for you, the M48 Independence. Featuring a 15-inch stainless steel barrel that’s threaded for a muzzle device or suppressor and chambered in six popular calibers, the single-shot handgun balances and feels surprisingly good in the hand. This is mostly due to the mid-grip design of the stock—the action actually sits behind the hand and above the wrist, placing much of the weight aft of the grip and eliminating any muzzle heaviness.

Nosler’s M48 action forms the foundation of the Independence, fashioned in single-shot configuration. A solid-bottom receiver facilitates feeding. The stock is CNC machined from a solid piece of aircraft-grade aluminum. The action is bedded, and the barrel free-floated. The grip interface, in a nicely modular touch, is standard AR-15, enabling the user to customize look and appearance. It ships standard with black Hogue finger-groove grips.

Cerakote is Nosler’s finish of choice for the M48 Independence, with the barreled action coated Matte Black and the stock Gun Metal Grey. The colors compliment each other nicely in a kind of understated macho elegance. It’s not a lightweight handgun—that’s a good thing when you’re in the mood to shoot little tiny groups—which, according to reports, it does quite well.

Weight comes in right at 5.4 pounds with an overall length of 21 inches. Available chamberings include .22 Nosler, 6mm Creedmoor, .24 Nosler, 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm-08 Rem., and 308 Win. The new M48 Independence has an MSRP of $2,495.

For more information, visit nosler.com.

Latest

Mule Deer In A Field
Mule Deer In A Field

A 9-Year-Old Girl’s Effort to Make Hunting the Official Sport of Idaho

While reading her history textbook, Betty Grandy, a 9-year-old fourth-grade student from Twin Falls, Idaho, noticed that Idaho lacked an official state sport. So, she did what any 9-year-old fourth-grade student would do: She ran a poll in a neighborhood newspaper.

Tips to Improve Small Game Shooting & Big Game Accuracy

Sometimes switching from large game—like elk or deer—to hitting a moving squirrel with a .22 or .17 rimfire will tell on you in a hurry. Here are some tips to get your skills back up to snuff.

First Look: Muddy Expands DV8 Apparel and Accessory Line

Muddy Outdoors has expanded its men's hunting apparel and accessory line, DV8, to include several key items scheduled for release later in 2026.

Coyote Tactics: Stay Flexible

The successful hunters I know do not get hung up on one tactic. They constantly float between strategies in an ever-changing hunting environment. Quite simply, they’re flexible. I take that improvising nature to heart even for coyotes, particularly when they shun my calls for whatever reason. When that occurs, I continue the hunt, but modify my strategy to fit the scenario.  

Remington Announces 3 New Subsonic Rifle Loads

Remington Ammunition is launching three new rifle cartridges loaded to subsonic muzzle velocities in 2026. The new Boat-tail Hollow Point (BHP) loads include a 250-grain 360 Buckhammer, 190-grain .308 Winchester and 300-grain 45-70 Government.

Report Identifies 80,000 Acres for Sitka Black-Tailed Deer Habitat Restoration

The Blacktail Deer Foundation (BDF) has released a new report titled A Restoration Mapping Framework: To Improve Sitka Black-tailed Deer Habitat in Southeast Alaska.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.