First Look: Nosler M48 Independence Handgun

by
posted on January 23, 2019
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

Federal Heavyweight TSS 3 Inch 9 Shot
Federal Heavyweight TSS 3 Inch 9 Shot

Field Tested: Federal Heavyweight TSS

Last year, I had the pleasure of travelling to the Yucatan peninsula in search of ocellated turkey. Over the course of the hunt, however, I also got to see Federal Heavyweight TSS at work in the field on not just turkey, but the elusive coatimundi, which is a significantly tougher proposition. Read on for my thoughts on this incredibly effective shotshell.

Behind the Bullet: .405 Winchester

Generating just over 3,200 ft.-lbs. of muzzle energy, the .405 Winchester was—at the time of its release in 1904—the most powerful lever-action cartridge available.

Lead Core vs. Monometal Hunting Bullets

There’s no doubt that copper monometal bullets are here to stay. But are they so good that they warrant abandoning lead core ammo altogether? We take a look at the pros and cons of each style.

Mossy Oak Releases 2024 Wild Turkey Conservation Stamp

Mossy Oak has released its third annual wild turkey conservation stamp—a collectible stamp in which all proceeds go directly to wild turkey conservation projects around the country.

Recipe: Instant Pot Moose Chana Masala

This fusion dish brings together Indian chana with Canadian moose, for a delightful culinary experience.

Review: Winchester 400 Legend

Winchester’s new 400 Legend is a streamlined, mid-sized straight-wall cartridge intended to fill the gap between its wildly popular 350 Legend and the notorious 450 Bushmaster. It is—in our opinion—a masterstroke of genius.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.