The Firearm Blog

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.

MasterPiece Arms will show a new 9mm pistol at the 2014 SHOT Show: the MPA935SST.

The MPA935SST will have a threaded 8″ barrel for the easy addition of a sound suppressor.  One 30-round magazine ships with the pistol.

An angled foregrip ships on the gun, and the pistol has three short accessory rails for adding additional gear.  Adjustable front and rear sights are standard, but an aftermarket optic or reflex sight can be added to the gun.

The MSRP on this gun is $675.99.  Since it is a pistol, no NFA rules apply.  The company will sell a version of this gun with a buttstock.  That will be classified as a short barrel rifle, or SBR.  NFA will apply to that gun.  It will retail for $785.99.

Range Systems announced the introduction of a target base stand called the Quik Stand.  The Quik Stand is a portable set of bases that allow the user to slide 1x2s or 2x2s of any length through them to assemble a complete stand.  The bases have thumb screws to secure everything together.

I’ve spoken with firearms instructors who conduct training on private land.  Oftentimes, the instructor will have to spend a few hours constructing target stands for a class.  These stands would greatly reduce the amount of time needed to set up an informal range for a class or just some target practice.

MSRP is $29.99 for a pair.

Smith & Wesson’s value line of 9mm and .40 S&W pistols, the SD VE handguns, are now California compliant.  The guns have low capacity 10 round magazines and have been officially approved for sale within California by state authorities.

The SD VE pistols are striker-fired and have a black frame with a matte silver stainless slide.  Sights are standard three-dot.

The guns are based on the old Sigma line and are aggressively priced with a MSRP of $399.  Due to the inclusion of a California-required loaded chamber indicator, the guns are $20 more than non-CA guns.

Although the Sigma line has a bad reputation with many, I found that my SD40 has been utterly reliable and very accurate.  The trigger is a little gritty, but better than the Sigma pistols I previously shot.

HIPERFIRE is a small company out of Minnesota that is now making fire control groups (FCG) for the AR platform. They have a new and radical approach to the AR fire control group. They are like nothing you have ever seen before. But with the new design that they have created, they have a real winner. Trigger pull is smooth and the break on the trigger is crisp. What is really impressive is the lock times they are achieving with these trigger groups. The FCG created ny HIPERFIRE are nothing short of a gem from a small company trying to make it’s mark in the ever growing AR platform market.

I was able to test the entire family of fire control groups that HIPERFIRE offers which is the 24, 24E and 24C trigger groups. All of the triggers have their own design tweaks to cater to a certain group of shooters. The 24 is their flagship trigger, and where the company started. It offers their standard design with over-center toggle springs, and a short smooth pre-travel. The 24E is the elite version of the 24, and offers far less pre-travel in the trigger, and faster reset. The 24C is their competition model

Rob Curtis published a product brochure for the upcoming not-yet-announced H&K MR556-SD MR762A1-SD. The H&K MR556-SD MR762A1-SD features a new Modular Rail System (MRS) that allows rails segments to be screwed in where required, much like the KeyMod system. The suppressors are interesting. Rob writes …

The OSS suppressor system also improves the HK platform by adding caliber and configuration modularity, individual suppressor component sustainability, greater than 90% reduction in blowback and bolt velocity compared to competing suppressor systems. The OSS system comprises a back pressure regulator (BPR) and a sound reduction module (SRM). The rifle is shot ‘unsuppressed’ with the BPR installed. This reduces flash and noise noticeably, but the addition of th