The Firearm Blog

Larry Vickers, who I was fortunate enough to meet in person at SHOT Show this year, just published a video showing elite Russian FSB (Spetsgruppa “A” or Alfa, also called Alpha Group) troops doing confidence drills with pistols.  These drills are nothing short of insane.

The latest “User Of… As Seen By…” graphic comes from one of our readers, Dave S. Thanks, Dave!

It is his first attempt at anything computer graphics and I must compliment him on the effort. I darn near lost it on the Beretta-1911 photo.

What do you think? Spot on or off-kilter?

Submit your Weekend Funny to me and if it makes the staff guffaw, you may see it posted live!

This article will cause controversy and upset a few people, so if you believe that Mikhail Kalashnikov is on the same level as John Browning when it comes to firearms design, you may want to stop reading now.

That said, I do not believe that Mikhail Kalashnikov was as involved in the development of the AK-47 as the Soviets led the world to believe. So who was? Well, there can only be one answer: Hugo Schmeisser. Schmeisser is perhaps most famous for the MP18 (the world’s first submachine gun) and the MP43/44 “Sturmgewehr” (the world’s first assault rifle). Obviously the latter firearm is more pertinent to this article.

Here are a few facts to back my hypothesis:

• In “Tales of the Gun”, Kalashnikov was interviewed and claimed that there

Safariland has released their latest locking system, the GLS (Grip Locking System). The GLS was specifically designed to provide locking in a system that can be used for deep concealment.

Safariland describes the system and draw:

Similar to the proven ALS® design, the GLS automatically locks the weapon in place once holstered. When drawing with a proper shooting grip, the middle finger is placed in the exact location of the locking mechanism, allowing it to sweep over the GLS releasing the firearm with a simple, straight-up draw out of the holster. GLS models also feature low-cut sides, aiding in concealment, speed and re-holstering.

The GLS system will be available in paddle/belt/loop comgination (model 5378) and as an belt clip (5379). For those with existing Safariland holsters, the QLS models are compatible with previous 3-hole mounting platforms.

Now how cool is this? Six young adults, ages 13-14, have been selected for the inaugural “Young Guns” program. What a great way to involve our next generation of shooters.

From the press release:

With nearly 100 applicants to choose from, Cimarron and Pietta were astounded by the response to the first year of this program. We spent a lot of time looking over every applicant and were humbled and exhilarated by their enthusiasm, skill, and drive at such a young age. It was a very difficult decision, and these six were ultimately chosen for their aspirations towards improving themselves and immersing themselves in the world of Cowboy Action Shooting, the demonstration of their spirit of the game, as well as their need for the pair of Piettas they will receive as part of this program. Beyond that, the personalities of these 6 came across in their videos, essays, and shining letters of recommendation by the people who know them best.

We aim to make this an annual program, and encourage those who did not make it this year

KRISS debuted their new Enhanced Series at the 2014 SHOT Show. Their new Enhanced Vector CRB and SBR models feature an M4 stock adapter along with a Magpul UBR stock and a set of Magpul MBUS flip-up sights. They’re extected to ship around Q2 of 2014 with a MSRP of $1,995. Check out Kriss-USA.com for more info.

From their press release

The Magpul stock and MBUS sights give the Vector a similar feel to the ubiquitous AR-15. The stock adaptor, which makes the attachment of the UBR stock possible, will be available for sale separately and allows for a new avenue of customization for the Vector. Magpul MBUS Sights equipped on the Enhanced Series were designed specifically to match the Vector’s unique shape.

According to KRISS USA Marketing Manager Tim Seargeant, the Enhanced Series will feel familiar to more shooters, making it easier to adapt to the Vector’s futuristic design, and is now more customizable.

“The KRISS Super V technology inside the Vector is designed to enhance shooting performance by mitig

Great review of the Sig P227 on Guns America. I only got a chance to hold the P227 at this past SHOT Show. It is surprisingly slender for a double stack 45.

Click here for the review.

It was only a matter of time that once the Tavor was introduced to the shooting world someone would design an improved trigger. In this case that company is Geissele. Geissele makes some of the best triggers available for the AR15 platform as well as other quality rifles. In fact the AR15 article I recently wrote about my AR15 build has a Geissele SSA-E trigger. I’ve run them on other guns I’ve owned and never looked back.

I’m sure all of us that own and love the Tavor were pretty excited to hear new triggers were coming out specifically for the Tavor. We have to wait until sometime in mid April before we’ll see them being shipped to retailers or have the ability to purchase them direct from Geissele.

The Tavor trigger feels very much like my SSA-E trigger. This is a combat trigger not a match trigger.It’s a two stage type with a pull of 4.5 pounds.

Big Rock Sports (BRS) has a compact semi-automatic pistol named the Remington RM380 listed in their database (see above). All we know about this gun is that it is chambered in .380 ACP, takes 6-round magazines and has a MSRP of $410 (UPC 885293964549)

The MSRP suggests this may be a .380 ACP version of the 9mm Remington R51. On the other hand, Remington may be introducing a polymer sub-compact to complete with the Ruger LCP, Kel-Tec P-3AT and Glock 42. Time will tell.

Note: this has not been independently confirmed by a second source. 

Thanks to Chase for the tip.

There are many people who wish a product like this did not need to exist, but then there are those who want options. It’s a little strange to me that this company is only trying to raise $1,500 since many companies need much more startup capital. But if that’s what he needs to make it work, then good for him.

I’m interested to hear what TFB readers think about this product, and if they would want their children to own one.

BulletSafe, a popular bulletproof vest company, is testing the waters for a children’s bulletproof backpack panel using Indiegogo. Indiegogo is a crowdsourcing website where new product ideas are presented and potential customers can encourage their introduction.  BulletSafe is using this platform to see if people want to protect their children from handguns.

The project is called the BulletSafe Bulletproof Backpack Panel.  The panel, which is designed to go in a kid’s backpack, can stop bullets up to a .44 Magnum.  Eventually the BulletSafe Bulletproof Backpack Panel will retail for $99 plus shipping, but IndieGoGo campaign backers can order one now by pledging $89. 

Slow motion of this Glock firing, shows the polymer frame flexing. I find it interesting that the take down lever moves down as the slide travels rearward.

This is a fluid ongoing situation. This is what we have been told so far …

Phil White is in Florida attending the Big3 industry shoot. Wolf is one of the main sponsors and the provider of all ammunition used at the event.

Yesterday Phil spoke to Wolf representatives. They told us that the Ukrainian situation would probably not affect ammunition supply.

The situation suddenly changed this morning. A Vice President of Wolf informed Big3 organizers that shipments of ammunition from Russia are on hold.

Ships carrying ammunition from a Russian port (we don’t know which port, but I assume it is Novorossiysk) should have arrived in a Crimean port to pick up additional ammunition from Ukraine before sailing West. These ships have not arrived in the Crimea. It is not known why they have not arrived (or if they have arrived, why they are not reporting in).

According to Wolf, Putin may be responding to threa

After the complete recall of every Model C pistol made by the company, Caracal announced a replacement line of striker-fired pistols.  These pistols were announced in late 2013, and shown at the 2014 SHOT Show.

When I spoke with a Caracal rep at the show, he advised the major difference between the old and new pistols was the slide design.  He told me that the old design used a two piece slide, while the new design uses a slide machined from a single piece of metal.  While he declined to provide a detailed analysis of the semi-famous Caracal kaboom, he definitely gave me the impression that high pressure rounds were too much for the original slide design.

The new pistols are identified as the CP660, CP661 and CP662.  In general terms, they can be des

It might not be the world’s perfect bullpup design, but it does show what a shooter can do with a little imagination and a few hack saw blades.

Although some may question the usefulness of this experimental design, the idea of moving the bolt over the shoulder is an interesting one.

Thanks to jhdudt for the tip.

There are only a few changes I would ever make to a take-down 10/22, but this one has to be at the top of my most-wanted list. Thompson Machine, a small company in Florida has some unique offerings. Originally released in 2012, the Operative TD is an integrally suppressed take-down 10/22. 

Thompson starts with a factory 10/22 and they start working their magic. The completed rifle measures 16.75″, requiring only a single tax stamp. The monocore baffles are user-removable and easy to clean. The total rifle comes in at a scant 4 Lbs, 6 Oz.

Outdoor Wire reported Remington’s response to the GDSI publicity stunt in their newsletter …

Executives with Remington Outdoor Company have described yesterday’s late afternoon announcement of plans by by Global Digital Solutions, Inc (OTC-QB:GDSI) to acquire Remington as “attention seeking in it’s worst form”. Officials at Remington say they will be addressing Global’s PR NewsWire announcement of their planned all-cash acquisition of Remington of nearly $1.1 Billion. The Outdoor Wire Digital Network will have the full story as it develops.

I have worked exclusively in the gun industry since graduating college. I don’t like people messing with the industry I love. I think it is important we document for prosperity the Directors and Officers of GDSI, so if anyone Google’s their names, they will find out what they have gotten up to in the firearms industry. The Directors and Officers are …

Richard J. Sullivan - Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
David A. Loppert - Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
William J. Delgado - Director and Executive Vice President
Arthur F. Noterman - Director
Gary A. Gray – Vice President and Chief Technology Officer
Stephanie C. Sullivan - D

Read the image above. Contact Amberlee S. M. Mucha (Amberlee_Mucha@Discovery.com) if you want to join the cast.

Sightmark, known for their laser and sights is now making a laser and light combo inspired by the PEQ-15.  Many that build an M4 clone want to put something that resembles the PEQ-15 and not have to spend the $2000 for an actual PEQ-15, and unless you are military or law enforcement, you are forced to by used.  Those looking for the low profile laser design laser that can be put directly on the top rail, and not interfere for optics will benefit from this design.

Although lacking the IR laser and illuminator, it features a white light and green laser.  The light is a 220 lumen LED, which will light up a room without any problems.  The one positive to a green laser is the ability to use it during the day, and not lose the dot light some red lasers can suffer from.  The laser and light can both be operated via a push button or an optional pressure switch.  So those looking to make an M4 clone, this looks to be a good option for a laser/light that resembles a military version, without breaking the bank.  The LoPro system will be $179.99 and is available now on the

Earlier we posted about the rumor of ammunition supplies from Russia drying up and there would be no more.

During our event today we had executives from Wolf ammo present. Of course this was our first question. The short and sweet answer is no this won’t happen and it was simply a rumor started on the Internet. Wolf is still able to order a shipping container of ammunition from Russia without any difficulty at all.

The representatives also stated that even if it were true the supplies of the same ammunition from countries such as Belarus would more than makeup for any shortfall.There are just to many other former Soviet plants in these other countries to make it a non-issue if it did happen sometime in the future.

So readers it’s just another rumor than gained traction. There’s no need to run out and st

Over the next few days I’ll be posting about the activities and new product announcements from the Big 3 writers event in Daytona Beach, Florida. The Big 3 is a writer get together that brings around thirty-five to forty writers together from around the country by invitation of our host. A good number of well-known companies attend and make presentations of new products as well as upgrades to established products. We also spend one heck of a lot of time on the range!

Our host for this event is Dave Fortier, a well known gun writer, and Dillard “CJ” Johnson who you may know from the book “Carnivore” which details his time in the sandbox as a Bradley commander.

What I have for you today is a new product that will be going into production next week. Huntertown Arms has a rather simple device that consist of only three parts which allows the user to takedown their AR15 in less than five seconds. The parts are shown in the photo below.