I just received an announcement from Concern Kalashnikov about a number of upgrades to the IZ132 rifle being sold in the United States.
The standard IZ132 rifle is based on the AK-47 pattern rifle and is chambered for the 7.62×39 cartridge. Â It is a semi-automatic rifle fed by detachable magazines. Â The new upgrade will use an improved polymer stock that has an integrated pistol grip. Â The polymer handguard is also updated. Â Standard AK-pattern 30-round magazines will work in the gun.
I recently had the chance to attend the inaugural Make Big Noise firearms demonstration at the  G4S International Training facility in Shackleford, VA.  The event was organized by Laura Burgess Marketing.  Various writers from around the industry were invited to the facility and met with various manufacturer representatives.  There were classroom demonstrations and range time.
Faxon Firearms announced the new ARAK-21 XRS complete rifle. Â The new rifles are designed around the company’s innovative ARAK-21 uppers that blend some of the best elements of the AR-15 and AK-47 rifles. Â Prior to now, shooters could only buy an ARAK-21 upper and mount it on their own AR lower.
The rifles use a long stroke piston system with a double recoil spring. Â There is no buffer tube to mess with, so a folding stock is optional. Â And yes, it will fire while folded. A folding charging handle is located in a forward position. It is non-reciprocating and can swap from the left side to the right side very quickly for southpaws.
American Tactical Imports (ATI) is now selling an AR-15 pistol based on the company’s Omni-Hybrid lower. Â The gun is chambered in 5.56 NATO and weighs a mere 4.75 pounds.
ATI introduced the Omni polymer lowers in mid-2012 (read my review of them here) and later updated the receivers with a metal insert for high stress points. Â Since the update, I have heard very good things about them. Â Phil O’Dell of O’Dell Engineering in Ontario, Canada has provided a lot of feedback on the lowers and rifles here at GHG. Â It is worth reading through his comments.
Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) announced the production of a new sniper rifle called the DAN. Â The DAN rifle is the company’s first bolt-action gun and was developed with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Â It is chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum.