Long-time bullet and ammo manufacturer Nosler launched its Model 48 rifle line several years ago, and the company recently introduced another firearm to its lineup. Breaking from the traditional rifle, however, Nosler has created another first: the Model 48 Nosler Custom Handgun (NCH), an intriguing bolt-action pistol.
The M48 NCH is Nosler’s fresh take on a hunting handgun. With a solid-bottom receiver, the NCH is a single-shot pistol based on Nosler’s M48 rifle. The handgun is offered in standard short-action chamberings, including 6mm Creedmoor and 6.5 Creedmoor, the company’s proprietary .22 Nosler and .24 Nosler options, and the classic .308 Win. and 7mm-08 Rem.
Supporting the M48 NCH’s action is a rigid one-piece stock CNC-machined from a single billet of 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum. The 15-inch, 416R stainless steel, heavy-contour, threaded Shilen barrel is free-floating (12- to 18-inch barrels are available on request, as is fluting). All metal is finished with Cerakote, and the action and stock are coated separately, allowing customers to mix and match the color of the barreled action and the color of the stock.
The NCH makes use of Hogue’s black OverMolded rubber grip, complete with finger grooves, but the stock accepts any AR-15 pistol grip. The setup weighs 5.4 pounds with no scope or mounts, and measures 21 inches long with the standard 15-inch barrel.
In developing the M48 NCH, Nosler engineers teamed with some of the most experienced handgun hunters in the world, such as Mark Hampton. “Over the last 40 years, I have shot every conceivable configuration of single-shot handguns, including high-end custom rigs. The new Nosler handgun will keep up with the very best of them,” Hampton said. “In my experience, I have found this pistol to be extremely accurate, well-designed and user-friendly. The NCH will be most welcome with handgun hunters, target and steel shooters, or anyone looking to add an exciting dimension to their shooting experience.”
The M48 NCH starts at $2495. For more information, go to nosler.com.
