Handgun Review: Nosler M48 Independence

A bolt action that shoots sub-MOA right out of the box is becoming a must among new rifles these days. But this is no rifle. It’s the new Nosler M48 Independence bolt-action HANDGUN. Here’s why hunters need to take note.

The new Nosler M48 Independence is a single shot, bolt action handgun built to be the best-of-the-best in terms of accuracy in a hunting handgun. The 15-inch stainless, heavy contour barrel has a threaded muzzle for either a suppressor or brake.

An exceptional two-stage trigger rivals that of target rifles, and a CNC-machined aircraft-grade aluminum single-piece chassis-style stock rounds out the package. The action is bedded and the barrel free-floated. Both the barreled action and stock are coated in Cerakote, in Matte Black and Gun Metal Gray, respectively. While the M48 ships with a Hogue Overmolded pistol grip, it’s designed to accept most AR-15 grips. The handgun weighs in at six-and-a-half pounds sans scope or accoutrements.