The Firearm Blog

At the SHOT Show, NextLevel Training will introduce a new SIRT training pistol based on the Smith & Wesson M&P handguns.  The SIRT 107 pistol is similar to the original Glock-type training pistol the company introduced several years ago.

NextLevel Training has made a few changes to the gun from the original design.  The new SIRT 107 has:

• a new, heavier-duty trigger housing;
• a simplified trigger adjustment system;
• moved the laser switch from the slide to the frame; and
• replaced the two-position laser switch with a four position switch that allows the shooter to choose more training modes.

DRD Tactical have just announced the Paratus G762 Rifle. This semi-automatic take-down rifle uses 20-round H&K G3 magazines rather than  AR-10 magazines. It features a 13-inch QD Picatinny rail, FN hammer-forged 16” barrel, Magpul stock and pistol grip and a custom cut foam hard case for transport when takendown.

In other news, the Cobb County, Georgia, Sheriff’s department’s Tactical Operations Unit have adopted Paratus rifles chambered in 5.56mm and 7.62mm. This allows them to carry the rifles discretely in backpacks and attache cases or in a motorcycle saddle-bag without attracting attention.

New from SilencerCo are the Harvester and Harvester Big Bore suppressors. Both are designed with hunting and long range shooting in mind. As a long-time suppressor hunter (both rimfire and centerfire) I recommend suppressors to hunters wherever it is legal for them to be used. The public have been taught to believe suppressors give hunters an unfair advantage, but this is far from the truth. Unless you are hunting with subsonic ammunition, the bullet will hit the game long before the game hears the gunshot. The benefits to hunters is safer shooting with less risk of injury to their hearing, less recoil and less chance of annoying anyone living nearby (or even far away in mountainous terrain).

From the press release …

SilencerCo is pleased

I have blogged about double barrel assault rifles before but this is the first triple barrel I have ever seen. Google translate is struggling with the Russian text of this article, but I gather it was a prototype with the designation TKB-059.

Thanks to Petras for the link.

New from MasterPiece Arms (MPA) is a precision tactical-style bolt action rifle. Chambered in .308 Win. the rifle is built on a Spencer action (Spencer being a recent acquisition of MPA). The rifle will retail for $3,475.

MPA’s first bolt-action rifle, chambered in .308 is built on a MPA tactical aluminum chassis with a Remington 700 type bolt design with a Stiller’s Precision TAC Series action. This is the first MPA rifle incorporating a Spencer Precision barrel since MPA purchased the company in 2013.

The MPA chassis is produced from 6061 aluminum with a v-bedding system that is matched perfectly to the Stiller’s TAC series actions providing zero twist or distortion. The stock is a Magpul PRS stock with a custom adaptor. The .308 also features a front mounted bridge with Picatinny rail and a lower mounted Picatinny rail, plus a 20 MOA scope rail. The body is finished in a durable medium texture powder coat or ceramic finish. The MPA .308BA is compatible with any AICS type magazines.

The Spencer/MPA barrel is produced from 416 (Condition T) stain

The DoubleTap Tactical Pocket Pistol is designed to be a “last-ditch” gun to be used in grave situations to save one’s life.  It is not a fun gun to shoot, and putting a lot of rounds through it can be painful.  I’ve put dozens of 9mm and .45 ACP rounds through one gun. While doable, it was not an experience that I wish to relive.

DoubleTap announced the Training Grip, which is a rubber grip designed to take some of the sting out of practicing with the pistol.  The grip slips onto the gun and absorbs some of the recoil.

The company does not recommend carrying the gun with the grip on it.  The grip can catch on a pants pocket during the draw, which could have disastrous consequences in a self-defense situation.

MSRP is $25, and the grips will be sold on the DoubleTap site in “early 2014.”

Magpul just announced their new PMAG magazines for all the various AK pattern rifles chambered in 7.62×39 will finally be available. Announced earlier this year, they’ll be shipping out during the 2014 SHOT Show and should be available from retailers soon thereafter. The 30-round polymer magazines are made in the USA and feature a removable floorplate, constant curve geometry, and a reliable/low-friction follower. They’ll retail at $13.95.

Winchester Repeating Arms is introducing two new shotgun variants at the SHOT Show.  The first is a Super X3 variant and the second is a Super X Pump model.

The new Super X3 is called the Long Beard.  It is designed for turkey hunting and takes 3 1/2″, 12 gauge shells.  The gun has a 24″ barrel and ships with a Briley X-Full Long Beard Invector-Plus extended choke tube.

The Long Beard has a pistol grip and comes finished in Realtree Xtra green camo.  MSRP is $1,269.99.

The new Super X Pump is the Field Compact model.  The stock has a 13″ length of pull, making it better suited for smaller and youth shooters.  The 12-gauge shotgun has a traditional look and will be available with 24″, 26″ and 28″ barrel lengths.  MSRP is $399.99.

Browning extends the High Grade Program for a second year with the introduction of two new Citori 12 gauge over and under shotguns.

The Grade III Citori has a colored case hardened finish on the receiver with high-relief scrollwork.  The stock and forearm are made of walnut and the 28″ barrel has a ventilated top rib.  MSRP is $4,669.99.

The new Grade IV Citori also has a color case hardened finish but has high relief engraving that features mallards and pheasants.  The engraving has gold enhancements.  The gun will come with a canvas and leather fitted gun case.  MSRP is $7,339.99.

The 1911 needs no introduction.  As the standard service pistol for the U.S. Armed Forces from 1911 to 1985, the 1911 served our country for a literal lifetime.  This storied heritage of performance, in combination with the 1911′s ubiquity, translated to a steady and enthusiastic adoption in the civilian market.  Without question, the M1911 .45ACP enjoys one of the most fervent fan bases in the civilian shooting world for a number of reasons.  The ease of obtaining aftermarket parts, the typically crisp single-action trigger, and the patriotic symbolism of this old standard have made this one of the most popular guns on the market today.

Unfortunately, as many of our readers know, ammo prices have skyrocketed over recent history, with a sharp spike in the past couple of years in particular.  Many of us may recall when brass cased .45ACP ammunition was

Crimson Trace have announced a new laser sight for the upcoming Glock 42 .380 sub-compact …

Crimson Trace announces a first-in-the-industry laser sighting system—the Laserguard® (LG-443)— that securely fits onto one of the industry’s newest handguns: the small Glock 42, a .380 caliber pistol designed for pocket carry and self-defense concealment. The new Glock 42 is designed to fit the hands of most women and shooters with smaller hands—and the new Laserguard LG-443 will add little to the firearm’s overall size or weight to continue with the smaller dimensions that the pistol offers consumers.

The Laserguard LG-443 will contain a powerful 650 nm red diode and be powered by a 1/3N battery. This new Laserguard will be activated utilizing Crimson Trace’s patented Instinctive Activation® and will fit  securely to the firearm’s existing trigger guard without requiring any gunsmithing, pin removal or use of firearm retention screws. The full feature unit will also be user-adjustable for windage and elevation. This laser sight will have a Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price of $229.

DESERT TECH (Formally Desert Tactical Arms) will be unveiling their new MDR (Micro Dynamic Rifle), a multi-caliber bullpup rifle that ejects forward. From the brief press release …

The MDR is a perfectly balanced compact auto loading bullpup rifle that gives LE, Military and Government agencies an unrivaled ability to adapt and maneuver. The MDR converts without tools between 5 calibers.   Using innovative technology such as the patent pending forward ejection mechanism and 100% ambidextrous controls the MDR can be used by any operator in any position;

*    Portability – The MDR has unrivaled portability because it is lightweight, com- pact, ergonomic, and balanced with an overall length of 26″ (or 20″ with 10.5″ barrel) and a weight of 7.12 – 7.5 lbs

*     Adaptable – The MDR is adaptable in both size and caliber. It can quickly convert between five calibers, and its patent pending sighting system retains barrel zeros without the need to compensate for any impact shift.

* 

The intrigue of the Glock family rival even the most outrageous Hollywood soap operas. The latest news out of Austria is that Helga Glock has lost a case against her former husband to get back the 15% of the Glock Ges.m.b.H. (the gun making company we all know and love) that she gifted to the Private Glock Foundation back in 1998. The Private Glock Foundation is the trust (trust may not be the correct Austrian-legal term) that owns 98% of the before mentioned gun manufacturer. Helga owns the remaining 2%. She argued that the gift should be returned due to criminal misconduct and gross ingratitude.

Helga and the couples children were cut out of the company and Foundation management after he had a stroke, divorced his wife, married his much younger nurse and made her a director of the Foundation.

There are a number of court cases still pending in Austria and the USA between Gadson and his family.

Thanks to TroubleshooterBerlin for information.

The View is a new .38 Special revolver from Taurus based on the Taurus Model 85. Its named as such because of a translucent side plate.

The View, named because of its distinctive, translucent side plate on the right side of the revolver that bares the interior mechanisms, carries with ease.  This .38 Special is based on the Taurus Model 85, but the distinct difference with this small-frame revolver is the new contoured grip and grip frame that won’t print when worn inside fitted clothing, like most traditional carry guns.  Another advantage of this new grip shape is that it sits back in the palm, reducing muzzle lift. The View also incorporates a subtle, unique curvature cant to the grip’s shape while keeping the thickness of the revolver minimal while increasing the comfort of carrying the firearm.

The titanium cylinder and snub nose barrel keep the revolver ultra light in weight (approx. 9 ounces unloaded) while increasing its strength.  The stainless steel ejector rod is shortened for easy carry. The Taurus View boasts a 10-pound trigger, making it ideal for personal defensive purp

The Multiple Impact Bullet is a new take on the old bolo-round concept. A bullet along with three wire connected bolos(?) are packed into the rounds. If you miss the shot with the bullet, there is a high chance of cutting your target down with the bolos. I want it to work … I just wonder if it does. Product video below …

Thanks to Gunslinger for the tip.

Arsenal has announced a new SLR rifle chambered in 5.45x39mm that will sell for $1099 …

Arsenal Inc. is proud to announce that for the first time ever the SLR-104FR is now available in the United States. This Bulgarian made, one-of-a-kind 5.45×39.5mm caliber rifle with a left-side folding stock is on our shelves and ready to ship.

Until now a factory made Bulgarian rifle in this configuration has never been offered in the US, and has been one of the biggest dreams of the collectors’ to obtain one. With this newest addition to the US market, Arsenal will be able to offer those who were holding their breath a sigh of relief. This Bulgarian factory made rifle is manufactured with quality parts and follows all of Arsenal’s strict technical and quality guidelines on premium craftsmanship. No other comes close to meeting Arsenal’s level of standards. Finally you can proudly own a Bulgarian 5.45×39.5mm side-folder now at a retail price of:

The 5.45×39.5mm caliber SLR-104FR rifles feature a mil-spec stamped receiver, hammer-forged and chrome-lined barrel, and

New from US Optics …

The SR-4C features a true 1X power, low setting and a daylight visible red or green dot sight packaged in a lightweight aircraft aluminum housing and is MIL-A-8625 Type III hard anodized 30mm body.  The red dot can be set at any of 12 pre-programmed intensity settings.  The lower four settings are night vision compatible.

The SR-4C by U.S. Optics features the best of a holographic sight and a 1×4 variable magnified optic into a compact, rugged package that is 9.25” in length and weighs just under 20 ounces.  Low-profile windage and elevation knobs minimize the profile of the SR-4C.  2/10 MIL knob adjustments make zeroing the Mil Scale reticle quick and effortless. With a true 1X power setting, the 4-MOA red dot sight is perfect for quick and decisive target acquisition in CQB situations.  Dial the power ring to 4X to confidently engage targets at short ranges up to 500 yards.   Over 8,000 hours of runtime is squeezed out of a 3 Volt CR2032 lithium coin battery.

No word on pricing (but I know it won’t be cheap).

The Charlton Automatic Rifle sums up the adage “necessity is the mother of invention.” These LMGs were produced for the New Zealand home defense forces beginning in 1941 from old Lee-Metford and Lee-Enfield bolt action rifles.

For those familiar with the Lee-Enfield the conversion should be fairly easy to track. The bolt handle was cut off and the barrel modified and fitted with heat dissipation fins and a compensator. A gas powered operating rod was fitted on the right side with a return spring in the tube below it. A buffer assembly with spring is at the rear of the operating rod. A bolt guide is attached to the operating rod that behaves much like the Garand. It has a helical cut that acts on a new lug, welded atop the original right side rib, to cam t

One of the most important things you can do with your shotgun is get it fitted. This usually entails finding a shotgun fitter, getting an appointment, and then paying him or her to take measurements and make adjustments to your shotgun. The main reason to get fitted is to increase your accuracy so that every time you mount your shotgun, that your eye consistently lines up with your sights.

A solid cheek weld is critical here. I have a Remington 870 shotgun which is a great shotgun, but I basically had no cheek weld since the comb was too low. In order for me to see the ghost ring sights I had to lift my head up to align my eyes with the sights. Every time I took a shot it would take me an extra few seconds to re-align my sights. Whether in a defense or competition situation, wasted time is just that, a waste.

Mesa Tactical’s Urbino Shotgun Stock has a pistol grip and an adjustable riser with five heights. The pistol grip is a bit larger in circumference than the grip on a comparable Speedfeed IV-S stock. The installation was as simple as installing any other Remington 870 stock. The riser

Umarex USA will sell 499 individually numbered Colt 1911 WWII Commemorative Edition airguns at the 2014 SHOT Show.  The slides will have an engraving on an aged metal finish.  A 500th gun (serial number 1) will be given away in a drawing.  Only dealers buying a gun are eligible for the drawing.

The airguns will have wood grips and are set up to fire BBs.  Operation will be powered by a single 12 gram CO2 cartridge.  Packaging for the Umarex 1911 will be a box decorated to resemble printing of the era.

No MSRP is listed for this airgun.