The conventional definition of the term “scout rifle” is any rifle with a forward mounted optical sight. Gunsite Academy founder Jeff Cooper coined the term and on multiple occasions defined it. However, his efforts to perpetuate a certain type of firearm are largely lost on the modern shooter. The result is a bastardization of a concept that had a lot to do …
From 1958 until 2003 the pages of Guns & Ammo magazine were graced with the words and wisdom of COL Jeff Cooper. Readers worldwide subscribed to read his thoughts; primarily those associated with the use and application of the defensive handgun. Similarly, when Cooper opened the American Pistol Institute on the Gunsite Ranch near Pualden, AZ in 1976, like-minded folk traveled from far …
It could be argued there is, only has been, and ever will be, one true Scout Rifle. Cooper referred to all of the Scout Rifles he created as prototypes and proclaimed the Steyr Scout Rifle the best personal rifle in the world. You see, Cooper did not own the term “scout rifle” but he did coin it, and he did define …
