Featured The Battle of Mons, or What a Handful of Badasses Can Do With a Bolt Gun Iain Harrison August 23, 2014 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More This year the 100th anniversary of World War I; Battle of Mons began today, the first, and far from last engagement in that momentous and bloody conflict. At 0900hrs, a company of the Royal Fusiliers defending the Nimy Bridge were attacked by four battalions of the German IX Corps, following a heavy bombardment. Although outnumbered over 20 to 1, the British riflemen laid down accurate and deadly fire, commencing at over 1000 yards with their SMLE MkIIIs and scything through the German ranks like a tornado. Like Spartans at Thermopylae, they held off the the assault for over six hours until their right flank was compromised and they were ordered to retreat in good order. Five years earlier, the training requirements of an infantryman were revised and the minimum riflery standard set at 15 rounds per minute, hitting a man-sized target at 300 yards – iron sights, reloading from 5 round stripper clips. Any soldier failing to meet expectations was kicked to the curb – most could achieve significantly better than this. The man responsible for imposing this standard was the then commander of the Small Arms School, Lt Col N.R. McMahon AKA, the “Musketry Maniac.” Unfortunately for the Germans at Mons, his next promotion was to Commanding Officer of the Fusiliers facing them. Talk about bad luck. Today, with our better education, medical care and nutrition, together with increased leisure opportunities, you might expect the average shooter to exceed the performance of a Tommy from a century ago. Next time you're at the range, why not try it? Make it your own tribute to the warfighters of another era, and remember the sacrifices of those who went before us. Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.