Some states have misguidedly enacted draconian restrictions against the use and ownership of certain semi-automatic rifles with “politically incorrect” features. These include vertical pistol grips and length-adjustable buttstocks. Pump-action rifles, however, have not—for the most part—been the subject of such “cosmetic” legislation. As a result, pump-actions are permitted to feature many of the same external properties as some banned rifles simply because their actions are manually operated.
In order to give its customers in restricted locales access to its products, Troy Defense has developed a line of 50-state-legal pump-actions modeled after the company’s AR-15 and AR-10 platforms. This year, Troy is adding a new hunting model chambered in .338 Federal with a Mossy Oak camouflage finish, which is the subject of this review.
Troy’s pump-action sporting rifle design is something of a hybrid. It provides the look, feel and many of the same features as an AR. However, due to the internal modifications required to convert the gun from gas-impingement operation to a pump action, the rifle does not share the same level of modularity as its gas-operated compatriots. For example, the AR-10 rotating bolt is an interchangeable component, while the bolt carrier group in this gun is a unique design that will not fit other ARs.
At the heart of the Troy pump is its AR-10-type upper and lower receivers. Both units are milled from aircraft-grade aluminum, hard-coat-anodized, and then finished off with a Mossy Oak camouflage hydro-dip pattern. The handguard and buttstock are also dipped to provide a more uniform appearance. The rifle’s synthetic furniture, including the rail covers, BattleAx Control Grip and recoil pad, are made from matching tan polymers