Category: Rifles

Categories
Rifles

Detroit Gun Works Lowers Available Again

Detroit Gun Works receiver black

Detroit Gun Works receiver black

After posting an announcement that they would no longer manufacture lowers with their name on them, Detroit Gun Works is apparently selling matched uppers and lowers with the DGW logo through Kroll International.  This is an unexpected event due to the company’s stated position from just a few months ago.

In early December 2012, Kroll International released a pre-SHOT Show ad that suggested they had teamed up with Detroit Gun Works and Blackhawk possibly for new AR-15 rifles made by DGW and fitted with Blackhawk gear.  But, by the end of the same month, DGW pulled back from the announcement and posted on their website that they would not be producing lowers with the company name on them any more.  The previously announced .308 and .300 Blackout uppers and rifles were also shelved.

Continue reading “Detroit Gun Works Lowers Available Again”
Categories
Rifles

Caracal CAR 816

Caracal CAR 816

The Caracal Assault Rifle 816, or CAR 816, is a piston-operated M-4 type carbine that was introduced earlier this year.  The gun uses a two-position gas port for normal operation and suppressed shooting.  Rate of fire is listed as 850 rpm. (Ed. note:  See the September 2013 update at the bottom of the article regarding the gas port and rate of fire.)

Caracal CAR 816

The CAR 816 is chambered in 5.56 NATO and comes in three barrel lengths:  10″, 14.5″ and 16″.  The barrels are chrome lined and cold hammer forged from chromolybdenum steel.  The barrel uses a 1:7″ twist.

The barrels are threaded, and come with a “standard muzzle break [sic].”  From the photos, it appears the muzzle device is a standard A2 type birdcage flash hider.  Of course, with so many different muzzle devices on the market today, it is hard to say for certain from the photos alone.

According to Caracal, the rifle comes with a magazine release on the right side of the receiver, but an ambidextrous option is available.  The gun uses STANAG-compliant magazines, and ships with a 30 round mag.  The rifle is shown with a PMAG, but it is not known if Magpul magazines ship with the gun, or more pedestrian USGI mags.

Continue reading “Caracal CAR 816”
Categories
Rifles

Paul Howe Tactical Carbine

Paul Howe Tactical Carbine

Paul Howe worked with Wilson Combat to build a new rifle that bears his name.  The Paul Howe Tactical Carbine is an AR-platform gun chambered in 5.56 NATO.  It has a very distinctive look and some very nice features and add-on options.

Paul Howe Tactical Carbine

The carbine has a 14.7″, match grade barrel with a 1:8″ twist.  The barrel has deep fluting.  Permanently attached to the barrel is a three-prong Accu-Tac flash hider, which makes the gun legal without the need for a NFA stamp.

On this gun, Howe selected a two-stage Wilson Combat TTU trigger that uses heavier springs.  The trigger release is set at 4.5 pounds, which Howe preferred for golved shooting.  The weight of this gun is 7.5 pounds.

The finish is called Camouflage Armor-Tuff and it is a hand-applied pattern.  According to the Wilson Combat press release, the finish also reduces the gun’s IR signature and can help to keep the rifle cool in hot weather.

Continue reading “Paul Howe Tactical Carbine”
Categories
Rifles

SVD Dragunov: 50th Anniversary

SVD Dragunov
Mongolian armed forces soldiers teach U.S. Marines about the Dragunov SVD sniper rifle as part of Khaan Quest 2009 at the Five Hills Training Area in Mongolia Aug. 14, 2009. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nathan McCord/Released)

This year represents the 50th anniversary of the SVD Dragunov rifle.  Introduced into the service of the Soviet Union army in 1963, this semi-automatic sniper rifle has proved itself a capable performer in the field.

SVD Dragunov
Mongolian armed forces soldiers teach U.S. Marines about the Dragunov SVD sniper rifle as part of Khaan Quest 2009 at the Five Hills Training Area in Mongolia Aug. 14, 2009. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nathan McCord/Released)

Since 1964, the Dragunov has been made by Izhmash, a Russian arms and vehicle manufacturer.  To commemorate the 50th anniversary, Izhmash announced the modernized SVD will be completed later this year.  The modernized Dragunov will feature:

  • new barrel
  • Picatinny rail for optics
  • folding bi-pod
  • adjustable buttstock
  • improved accuracy

The Dragunov has been used by at least 30 different countries around the world.  While the United States has never officially used the SVD Dragunov, it has helped equip and train friendly countries with the rifle.  It was just one of these weapons that Staff Sergeant Clinton L. Romesha used on October 3, 2009 to help repel some 400 enemy fighters in Nuristan Province, Afghanistan.

Continue reading “SVD Dragunov: 50th Anniversary”
Categories
Rifles

Iver Johnson 1911A1 Carbine

Iver Johnson 1911A1 carbine

The Iver Johnson 1911A1 Carbine is a new rifle that appears to mate a 1911 pistol to a AR-style rifle.  It is chambered for the .45 ACP cartridge and looks like it retains all of the normal 1911 controls, grip safety and more.

Iver Johnson 1911A1 carbine

The gun has a M4-style stock.  Additionally, it looks to have a removable carry handle, removable front sight and a single Picatinny rail on the top of the rifle upper.  From the photo, you can see there is a charging handle on the left side of the weapon.  The barrel appears to be about 16″ in length.  Pricing is already listed as $623.95 on some websites.

The same general thing has been tried before with kits that convert various pistols to carbines.  Those kits include the Hera-Arms CPE, SIG Sauer ACP, and the CAA Tactical RONI.  The Iver Johnson 1911A1 Carbine looks like it goes a step farther and makes the unit appear more permanently attached.  Of course, that may not be accurate.

Continue reading “Iver Johnson 1911A1 Carbine”