Month: March 2010

Categories
Rifles

Marlin 1894 CSS

marlin_1894_css_01aThe Marlin Model 1894 CSS was a 2009 SHOT SHOW special exhibition, but the company received such positive feedback from SHOT SHOW attendees and gun enthusiasts alike that they decided to make it a part of their standard product line. The “CSS” stands for Cowboy Stainless Steel.

The rifle comes chambered in .357 Mag./.38 Spl. caliber and has a 9-shot tubular magazine underneath the barrel. That barrel is 18.5″ long, and has Ballard-style rifling (six grooves). The shorter than standard barrel is just another feature that makes this carbine a nice brush gun or fun gun. The overall length of the rifle comes in at 36 inches. As the name implies the barrel, magazine, receiver, trigger, and lever are also stainless steel.

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Categories
Handguns

S&W M&P15-22P Pistol

sw_mp15-22p_01aSmith & Wesson announced a new AR-style pistol chambered in .22 LR: the M&P15-22P.  The M&P 15-22P is a polymer framed semi-auto pistol based on the S&W M&P 15-22 rifles.

The new S&W handgun has a 6″ carbon steel barrel with a 1:15 twist, and weighs 51 ounces (unloaded).  The detachable magazine holds 25 rounds of .22LR ammunition.  This is the same standard capacity magazine that is used in the M&P15-22 rifle.  So, if you have one of those, you can swap mags between the two guns.

The M&P 15-22P features a full-length optics rail along the top of the gun, and a mini-quad rail for lasers, lights, can openers and Romulan cloaking devices.  A swivel point attachment is also included for attaching a single point sling.

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Categories
Handguns

Rock River Arms LAR-40 Pistol

rra_lar-40aI have to admit the Rock River Arms LAR-40 pistol is a head-scratcher for me.  This is one of those guns that I just don’t get.  Let me explain…

The RRA LAR-40 is a AR-15 style firearm chambered in the .40 S&W pistol round and configured as a pistol.  You can get them with a seven inch or 10.5 inch barrel with an A2 or A4 upper.  Overall length on the seven inch model is 23 inches with an unloaded weight of 4.8 pounds.  The 10.5 incher weighs 5.2 pounds in the A2 configuration and measures 26.5 inches overall.

The pistols use an UZI-style stick magazine (only one is included).  Retail prices run from $1120 to $1180 depending on configuration.  But…what’s the point?

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Categories
Rifles

Marlin Model 336 BL

marlin_336bl_01aThe new Marlin Model 336 BL has arrived.  I got to handle one of these rifles at the 2010 SHOT SHOW in Las Vegas.  The BL version stands for “Big Loop Lever”.

This new Model 336 version offers a slight variance of their highly popular lever action rifle with a hint of old West flavor.  The Model 336 BL has an 18.5″ barrel that has a highly polished blued finish.  The stock and fore grip are composed a brown laminate finish that will be familiar to Model 336 owners.  And the Model 336 BL has the standard 6-shot tubular magazine that extends underneath and to the end of the barrel. Interior firing mechanisms are exactly the same as the standard Model 336.

The major difference in this model is the “BL”, the Big Loop Lever and the slightly shorter barrel than the standard Model 336.  Those changes may seem like small differences, but the handling and speed of manipulating the lever are noticeable.

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