A few days ago, a photo leaked of a possible new tactical version of the Ruger Mini-14. At the time, I stated that it looked like a Mini-14 with the ATI stock on it. Well, that is exactly what it is.
Ruger was showing the “new” Mini-14 at the 2009 Media Day at the Range. According to the Ruger rep, ATI is manufacturing the Strikeforce stock with the Ruger emblem and shipping them to Ruger, where the Mini-14 is assembled and shipped to dealers. According to the rep, that’s it: no other new features or items that you wouldn’t get by ordering your own ATI Strikeforce stock and putting it onto a Runger Mini-14.
The Mini-14/20CF is finished in matte black and fitted with the ATI stock. This stock has a quad rail fore and an adjustable, side-folding buttstock. It is a nice set-up and feels solid. The folks at Ruger say these are already shipping and are already on some dealers shelves. The MSRP is $872.
Winchester Ammunition is bringing a new line of self defense ammo to the market in 2009: the Bonded PDX1 Personal Protection Ammunition.
The PDX1 Personal Protection Ammunition is “engineered to maximize terminal ballistics, as defined by the demanding FBI test protocol, which simulates real-world threats.” While I believe the protocol is a useful tool to make a side-by-side comparisons of different cartridges and bullet designs, I do not believe that it simulates “real world threats” for the vast majority of people who own firearms for self defense.
Michael Bane mentioned in a recent blog post that he had information about a new 4.6x30mm revolver that would be introduced at the 2009 SHOT Show. Bane posts:
BTW…Wednesday’s podcast will have some thoughts on choosing a gunsafe as well as the skivvy on the new 4.6 X 30 revolver to be introduced at SHOT!
The 4.6x30mm cartridge was introduced as a competitor to the 5.7x28mm developed by FN. While the 5.7x28mm has encountered some success in the US market in the FN Five seveN pistol and the P90 and PS90 bullpup carbines, the 4.6x30mm has not had the same fortune with the HK MP7.
The ballistics are interesting in the 4.6x30mm, but not terribly exciting when compared to the 5.7x28mm. Fiochi advertises their 4.6x30mm 40 grain FMJ and SP ammunition at 1900 fps. Meanwhile the FN SS197SR, with the Hornady V-Max 40 grain bullet, is listed at 2034 fps.
I just don’t see a revolver chambered in 4.6x30mm as being a gun that will generate much interest…especially as a revolver. The only thing I can imagine is a revolver set up for varmint/small game hunting, but I would probably rather a .17 HMR chambering for that anyway. Frankly, if we were a little closer to April 1, I would have figured Bane was setting us up for a little joke.
Regardless, tune in to Michael Bane’s Downrange Radio podcast Wednesday for all the information. Bane has promised to give us all a little more information then.
Update
The promised 4.6×30 revolver never appeared. Chances are this was another pie-in-the sky move by Taurus to generate interest in distributors. Taurus has done this more than once.
Many times a company will develop prototype firearms to bring to the SHOT Show or NASGW Expo to gauge interest from the distributors. These guns will most often be kept behind closed doors, and not be shown to the media or public. My guess is this revolver was one of those projects. Ultimately, it never made it into production or onto dealer shelves.
Smith and Wesson has brought a new subcompact 1911 in .45 ACP to the market in their SW1911 line. The SW1911 Sub Compact Pro Series is a tiny 1911 with an obvious eye on the concealed carry market.
The SW1911 features a Scandium frame, carbon steel slide, and stainless steel barrel, which all weighs in at only 24 ounces unloaded. The gun is offered in matte black.
The Smith & Wesson Model 57 Classic is a modern version of the original 57 that was introduced in 1964. The Classic Model 57 was introduced by S&W at the 2009 SHOT Show.
