I just took delivery of a Taurus 709 SLIM pistol. The 709 is a single stack 9mm pistol designed by Taurus to be, well… slim.
During the next few weeks, I will be putting some ammo through it, carrying it and letting you know what I think. Stay tuned.
Spike’s Tactical is now offering laser-engraved ejection port doors for the AR-15 platform. The phosphate coated, stamped steel parts are engraved with “Molon Labe,” “Semper Fidelis,” “Zombie Killer,” “Infidel,” and more. The made-in-America doors are $9.95 each.
The Marine Corps search for a new sniper rifle continues, with current options being weighed in light of the current SOCom rifle competition. The new rifle is designated the SR21, or “Sniper Rifle – 21st Century,” and will allow Marines to engage targets to 1500 meters and beyond.
The Marine Corps has not detailed the specifications for the SR21, and is likely to wait until the SOCom rifle contenders are tested before making any decisions of their own. The Marines are currently looking at several rifles, including the Heym USA’s SR21 sniper rifle.
The Corps announced the search for a new rifle in August 2009. Since then, critics within the Marines have stated that their snipers are not adequately trained for the 800 meter range of the current issue M40 rifles, and would not be able to properly utilize a rifle with a much longer range.
More information at the Marine Corps Times.
For 2010 Rossi introduces the Rio Grande, adding the popular .30-30 Win. caliber to its lineup of popular lever-action rifles. The Rio Grande offers accuracy, performance and practicality for a lifetime of fast, lever-action shooting.
Authentic buckhorn sights and a beautiful hardwood finish make this model look like the classic, but the new Rossi design performs like a state-of-the art rifle. Available in deep blue or polished stainless steel, these hard-charging lever-actions provide 6+1 rounds for shooting fun.
Ammunition manufacturer Buffalo Bore announced they will introduce two new 9mm Makarov (9×18) loads in 2010. One load is a 95 grain JHP rated at 1175 fps (291 ft-lbs energy), while the second is a hard cast lead 115 gr FN at 1000 fps (255 ft-lbs energy.)
The loads are labeled as “+P,” indicating pressure levels above those of standards published by SAAMI. Among other things, SAAMI sets voluntary compliance standards for pressure limits on cartridges. The published limits on the 9×18 is a relatively weak 23,000 psi. Some Makarov enthusiasts have speculated the SAAMI limit is too cautious, and that many surplus Makarov pistols chambered in 9×18 could safely handle pressures greater than the SAAMI limit.
I suspect that most Makarov pistols chambered for the 9×18 could handle the +P ammo, but caution should be used.
Yet another 1911 is on the market: the Remington 1911R1. Maybe I’m just in one of those moods, but I find it hard to get excited about another plain-vanilla 1911, even one made by Remington, who’s history with the 1911 runs all the way back to the early days of the last century.
The MSRP is $699, which makes it potentially a good bargain, and a direct competitor to the Taurus 1911. The 1911R1′s feature list includes a “loaded chamber indicator.” Really? The 1911 needed this feature?
Yeah, I guess I am in one of those moods.
Update:
Shooting Illustrated has more information on the Remington 1911R1, and they had some very positive things to say about the fit and finish of this pistol.
The Down Under from High Noon Holsters
High Noon Holsters announced the expansion of the Public Secret, Down Under, Closing Argument and Alter Ego holster lines to include the following handguns:
Defense Secretary Robert Gates ordered the Pentagon to implement rules about personally-owned firearms held by military personnel. An interim policy will be in effect this summer, with a final policy due in 2011. Currently, many bases have different rules, and the new policy will set a single set of rules regarding personally-owned firearms.
While having a uniform set of rules will make it much easier for servicemen and women to know what is allowed on all bases, the actual rules may not be what anyone wants. Currently, gun registration appears to be a likely base rule. Other restrictive rules are likely.
Much of this was prompted by the shootings at Ft. Hood. If I recall correctly, the shooter was not allowed to carry his personally-owned weapons onto the based and begin killing people. So, more rules are clearly needed.
Here’s an idea: let all service members carry firearms. I know it is a silly concept, letting a soldier have a gun. But, if those soldiers who were attacked had been armed, maybe the number of victims would have been fewer?
Crimson Trace announced they will be releasing the Laserguard LG-407 for the Taurus TCP soon. The adjustable red laser mounts to the front of the TCP like the other Laserguard models. Taurus did not give an exact ship date. Suggested retail is only $209.
The Marine Corps Times is reporting the US Marines may field about 4100 H&K Infantry Automatic Rifles (IAR) in the fall of 2010. The H&K IAR is in testing now after being selected from a group of other rifles to replace the M249 SAW in certain units.
The H&K IAR is a variant of the H&K416 chambered in 5.56mm and is intended to replace the SAW in infantry squads and recon scout teams. Some in the Marine Corps consider the IAR to be more accurate than the M249, while others question if the IAR’s 30 round magazines can establish the same fire superiority the 200-round, belt fed M249 can.
The ultimate decision to field the IAR rests with the Marine Corps’ commandant who will likely make a decision later this year.