Archive for Military Firearms
Midwest Industries Tri-Rail Mount for M2/M3 .50 Caliber
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Midwest Industries is now selling a tri-rail mount for the M2/M3 heavy machine guns. The rail allows the mounting of lasers and optics on the M2 without interfering with the use of the iron sights or field stripping.Another “5.56 NATO Bad” Article?
Posted by: | CommentsThe debate over the effectiveness of the 5.56 NATO cartridge has raged for decades, and the current war in Afghanistan hasn’t changed things. Critics of the 5.56 generally bemoan the lack of “stopping power” and poor long range performance as compared to other rounds like the 7.62×51 (aka .308 Win).
In a Marine Corps Times article (taken from the AP), the debate continues. The article highlights the superior performance of the 7.62 at long ranges in the Afghan mountains (300+ meters). In fact, the author talks about the Afghanis using .303 Enfields and old Mausers to whip the Soviets in the 80′s. I hope follow-up articles don’t suggest equipping out troops with Mosin-Nagant rifles to bridge the “surplus rifle gap.”
Marine Corps SR21 Sniper Rifle
Posted by: | CommentsThe 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.
Marines May Field H&K IAR in Fall
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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.
Marines Pick H&K to Replace M249 SAW
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The Marine Corps Times is reporting the US Marines picked the H&K IAR to replace the M249 SAW in infantry fire teams. The H&K was one of four weapons being tested by the Marines. The others were two submissions by Colt and a single submission by FN Herstal.
The H&K IAR was the lightest weapon tested at 7.9 pounds (empty).
Firing the 5.56mm cartridge used in the M16/M4 rifles, the 16.5″ barrel IAR is a gas operated system that fires from a closed bolt. It has a cyclical rate of 700-900 rounds per minute. The IAR uses H&K 20- and 30-round magazines.
I had not been following this story, but the IAR looks a lot like a H&K 416 with a different rear sight. Can anyone clue me in?
Bavarian Marked M1 Carbines Avaliable Through CMP
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The Civilian Marksmanship Program is currently selling M1 Carbines with Bavarian markings. The M1 carbines were issued to German law enforcement agencies in the months after World War II. The agency issued the rifle is stamped in English on the receiver.
Prices on rack grade carbines start at $575, with auctions on some of the more desirable guns. Check out the carbines for sale here. For more information on the Bavarian carbines, visit this information site here.
US Palm AK30 Magazine
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US Palm is introducing the AK30 magazine, a polymer AK-47 magazine completely manufactured in the USA.
The 30-round AK-47 magazine uses the polymers developed by Tango Down. The AK30 magazine also borrows heavily from the design features of the Tango Down AR-15 magazine, including the non-removable floor plate for increased strength, the anti-tilt follower, chromium-silicon spring, and the large waffle-pattern texture on the magazine for a sure grip.
US Palm states the life expectancy on the AK30 magazine is in excess of 100,000 cycles.
Even though the magazine cannot be disassembled, it is still easy to clean due to the vented follower. US Palm recommends immersing the magazine in soapy water to clean, then rinse and turn it upside down to drain.
MSRP is $29.95.
Scroll down for more pictures and a video of the AK30 magazine in action.
Foreign Weapons Field Tool Kit
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Brownells introduced the Foreign Weapons Field Kit, a tool kit designed to service Soviet-bloc firearms in the field. This tool kit may be of great interest to Special Forces and other allied troops who work closely with the indigenous peoples of Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as the thousands of military surplus firearms collectors here in the United States.
The kit contains tools for servicing a variety of Soviet-type foreign weapons, including the AK-47/AKM assault rifle, PK/PKM/PKMS 7.62mm machine gun, Dragunov SVD sniper rifle, DShK/DShKM 12.7mm machine gun, and RPG-7 grenade launcher.
The foreign weapons field kit lets you field-strip these weapons quickly for cleaning, maintenance, adjustment, and repair without the confusion and down time spent scrounging for the proper tools.
CZ USA’s VZ 58 Rifles
Posted by: | CommentsCZ-USA has begun importing the VZ 58 semi-auotmatic rifle into the USA. The rifle is chambered in the widely available 7.62×39 cartridge commonly associated with the SKS and AK-47 rifles. The VZ 58 looks like an AK-47 variant, but there are some significant differences.
“Everyone thinks it is an AK-variant,” said Agnus Hobdale of CZ-USA. “It is not an AK-variant.”
There are some significant differences between the AK-47 and the VZ 58. First, and perhaps most importantly, CZ-USA states that no AK parts are interchangable with the VZ rifles. Additional differences include:
- The VZ 58 has a milled receiver, not a stamped receiver typical to the AK-47.
- The VZ 58 bolt locks open after the last cartridge is fired.
- The VZ 58 is striker fired, not hammer fired.
- The VZ 58 has a larger ejection port.
CZ-USA also claims the VZ is easier to field strip, has a more natural point of aim, and a more ergonomic safety. While these are truly subjective, they do suggest several changes that may not be readily apparent until you handle one.
The VZ 58 comes in two styles. the Military Sporter is a semi-auto version of the current issue rifle to the troops of the Czech Republic and Slovakia. I features wood impregnated plastic stocks. The Tactical Sporter features a Zytel, thumbhole-type of stock.
Both VZ 58′s are available now and ship with a thirty round magazine and cleaning kit. The Military Sporter retails for $970, while the Tactical Sporter retails for $990. Additional 30 round CZ magazines are $39 each. CZ-USA says that the rifles are selling quickly.
Sig Sauer to Release New Sig P250 Pistol and Sig556 Rifle at IACP Convention
Posted by: | CommentsThe Shooting Wire is reporting that Sig Sauer (formerly SigArms) will be releasing their new full-sized pistol, the Sig P250, this weekend at the International Association of Chiefs of Police convention. The firearm has different sized polymer grips/frames that the metal receiver drops down into. A few of these have been seen in some of the consumer gun magazines, but this will be the first time most of us will be able to put our hands on one.
This gun is supposed to have 35-40% fewer parts when compared to other handguns. Generally speaking, that should enhance reliability. Sigs are known to be dependable, accurate firearms. I hope this one continues that tradition.
Sig is also releasing the Sig556, a lightweight rifle for the military and law enforcement that is the Sig Sauer platform for the .223/5.56 cartridge. Functionally, it is a bit different from the AR-15, and lighter(!), but it is designed to accept the AR magazine.
I will have a review on these firearms as soon as I can acquire them for shooting.
