Archive for Rifles
Army Approves Painting the M4, M16
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The U.S. Army officially approved the practice of painting the M4/M16 rifle, and issued a “how-to” manual. Some deployed troops and units have been painting their rifles anyway, and the Army move legitimizes the practice. However, soldiers still need permission from the unit commander before applying a camouflage paint scheme to their weapon.
An abbreviated “how-to” manual is here, while the full story can be read at the U.S. Army homepage.
New Ruger SR-556C Carbine
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Ruger showed off the new SR-556C carbine at last week’s 2010 NRA Meeting. The SR-556C is similar to the original Ruger SR-556, but is shorter and lighter. Like the original, the SR-556C is piston driven, and comes with a nice compliment of features and accessories, including a Troy Industries quad rail, Troy Industries folding sights, and three Magpul PMAG magazines.
TimberSmith Line of AK Furniture from TAPCO
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TAPCO showed off the TimberSmith line of AK furniture at the 2010 NRA Meeting this weekend. The laminate wood stocks are all made in the USA and count as three 922r compliant parts. Three colors are available: brown, birch, and black.
From TAPCO:
Steyr Arms SSG 08 in .338 Lapua
Posted by: | CommentsFrom Steyr Arms:
Steyr Arms has substantially upped the ante on its extraordinary long-range tactical rifle, the SSG 08, with the introduction of a brand new adaptation chambered in the ultimate long-range tactical round, the .338 Lapua Magnum. A prototype of the new rifle is making its public debut this morning at the 2010 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits. The display of the prototype coincides with the overwhelmingly successful conclusion of the extensive 10,000-round endurance and reliability testing of the new chambering in the SSG 08 at the Austrian factory. The rifles are currently in route to the U.S. and will be available this summer.
Win a Billet Aluminum AR Lower
Posted by: | CommentsWant to win a billet aluminum AR-15 stripped lower? Check out SemiAutoRifles.com. They are running a giveaway, with the winner to receive a Roggio Arsenal lower, which sells for $175 at Brownells. The giveaway runs through Jun 5, 2010.
Head over to SemiAutoRifles.com for all of the details.
Spike’s Tactical Offering Engraved AR Ejection Port Doors
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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.
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.
Marlin 1894 CSS
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The 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.
Marlin Model 336 BL
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The 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.
EMA Tactical CountDown Magazine
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EMA Tactical is now shipping the CountDown magazine. The CountDown magazine is a 30-round mag designed for AR-15 style rifles that features a color coded indicator. The indicator gives the shooter a visual round count reference (green, yellow and red).
The magazines are polymer with non-tilting followers. EMA offers an unconditional, lifetime warranty on the mags. Retail is $24.95.
The CountDown magazines feature:
T/C HotShot Youth Rifle
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Thompson/Center Arms Company, Inc., a Smith & Wesson company, has added a new level of excitement to recreational shooting with the introduction of the new T/C HotShot. Chambered in .22LR, the HotShot offers young and novice shooters a highly accurate, lightweight single-shot rifle, designed with safety features that will provide unlimited hours of enjoyment and a lifetime of reliability without breaking the bank.
Designed to look just like Dad’s T/C Pro- Hunter, the Thompson/Center HotShot features an easy to operate break-open design, accessible via the trigger guard release. Manufactured with a blued steel 19-inch precision rifled barrel with target style crown, the new HotShot delivers the top-notch accuracy that consumers have come to expect from all Thompson/Center firearms. With an unloaded weight of only 3 pounds and an overall length of 30 1?4 inches, the HotShot provides youth and first time shooters with a versatile rifle that incorporates safety features and is easy to use.
