Author: Richard Johnson

Richard Johnson is an American author, editor and entrepreneur.

A former police officer and trainer, he left public service and founded Tac6 Media, LLC.

Richard is a prolific writer with hundreds of articles related to firearms and law enforcement published by Harris Publications, Athlon Outdoors, NRA, Police & Security News, The Firearm Blog, Human Events and more.

Categories
news

Smith and Wesson 442 and 642 | No Locks!

Two of the most popular Smith and Wesson handguns, the models 442 and 642, have been re-introduced without the infamous internal locks. These J-frame snubbies are the classic blued and stainless steel .38 Special revolvers with the internal hammers.

Perfect for pocket, ankle, and other forms of concealed carry, these revolvers have been great sellers for Smith and Wesson for many years. Like all S&W revolvers, in recent times, a consumer could only buy these with the internal lock. Unfortunately, these locks have had a few problems and consumer confidence in them is very low. Smith and Wesson have listened to their customers and brought these two classic J-frames back without internal locks.

Be sure to read my review of the Smith & Wesson 642.

If you have been wanting one of these sidearms, but have hesitated, wait no longer.

I am a proud owner of the model 642-1 that I bought more than 10 years ago. It is a great gun! I have carried it daily in a pocket and on an ankle. It has always performed perfectly and is very accurate. I have no doubt these new models will be outstanding revolvers.

Update

Smith & Wesson updated the 442 and 642 line with “Pro Series” models. The difference: they do not have locks – the same as these revolvers. Here is what I wrote on the new Pro revolvers when they were announced in December 2009:

Continue reading “Smith and Wesson 442 and 642 | No Locks!”
Categories
Rifles

Kel Tec RFB Rifle: Carbine Model Shipping in December

An exciting new rifle, the Kel Tec RFB, is expected to ship the carbine model in December 2008. This rifle has been one of the more eagerly anticipated firearms in 2008.

A video of the carbine in action is embedded below.

The RFB is a 7.62×51 NATO (.308 Winchester) semi-automatic rifle that will be offered in two models: carbine with a 18″ barrel and target rifle with a 32″ barrel. The “bullpup” design rifle accepts FAL magazines. All controls are ambidextrous and the rifle ejects fired brass forward making this firearm equally shootable for left and right handed shooters.

MSRP on the carbine is set at $1880.

RFB Carbine Features

  • 18″ Chrome lined 7.62 NATO chambered barrel
  • Birdcage flash hider included
  • Front ejection of cases
  • Top Picatinny rail for mounting sights (no sights included)
  • Gunsmith replaceable barrel with adjustable headspace
  • Click adjustable gas system for various power ammo, or suppressor use
  • Accepts FAL metric magazines with straight-in/drop-free magazine well (one magazine included)
  • Nylon sling and hardware included
  • In-grip storage capability

January 2009 Update

The Kel Tec RFB rifle will be shipping early next month (Feb 09) according to a Kel Tec representative at the 2009 SHOT Show. The rep was very upbeat about the rifle, stating they are in production now and will be shipping very soon.

Kel Tec’s sales of the RFB rifles to distributers have been very brisk, selling 1,000 to one distributer on the first day of the SHOT Show alone.

I had a chance to handle the RFB, and I have to admit I was impressed. The rifle, chambered in .308/7.62 NATO, is hefty, but very well-balanced. Kel Tec had several different configurations of the RFB on display, and everyone stopping to check them out seemed to like them.

The RFB looks like it will be a very good seller for Kel Tec.

September 2009 Update

The Kel Tec RFB (Rifle, Forward-ejecting Bullpup) is shipping, though slower than had been expected. It seems there are some issues with the heat treating process, which have prevented manufacturing the RFB in large quantities. Specifically, Kel Tec states:

Heat treatment issues with the ejector chute are slowing down RFB production. Batches are still coming out, but not in full production quantities as of yet. We are working closely with our heat treaters to resolve the issue.

Hopefully, the RFB will be in full-production soon.

Kel Tec also stated they were showing a suppressed RFB at the Advanced Armament Corp. (AAC) Silencer Shoot. A suppressed RFB would be a fun rifle to own.

January 2012 Update

The Kel-Tec RFB Sporter will be introduced at the 2012 SHOT Show if the rumors I am hearing are correct. From what I hear, the mid-sized RFB will feature the 24″ barrel, putting it between the carbine and target models.

Kel-Tec indicated they would eventually produce a Sporter model when the RFB was introduced, but with all of the projects they have been working on during the past several years, I imagine the R&D on the 24″ model took a back seat to them.

The Kel-Tec RFB Sporter will be chambered in 7.62×51 (not in .223 as some of the rumors have suggested), and the longer barrel will offer increased long-range accuracy as compared to the carbine version.

I don’t have exact specs, but the new rifle should weigh about 9.5-10.0 pounds and have an OAL of about 32″. It should otherwise look and work just like any other RFB (forward ejecting, etc.)

While it did not appear that Kel-Tec spent much time on the rifle in 2011, they did introduce a variety of RFB accessories such as a short quad rail, muzzle brake and a “tactical” operating handle.

January 2012 – Second Update

Even though the “Hunter” version of the RFB got more attention, the Kel-Tec RFB 24 was introduced at the 2012 SHOT Show. The RFB 24, also known as the Sporter model, is a forward ejecting, 7.62×51 chambered rifle in a bullpup configuration with a 24″ barrel.

Kel-Tec RFB 24

The RFB 24 is a mid-sized version of the rifle, falling between the carbine (18″ barrel) and target (32″ barrel) models.

I would be interested in seeing a side-by-side range test of all three versions to see what kind of accuracy, velocity and recoil differences there are between them.

January Update 3 – Tan Kel-Tec RFB

Kel-Tec is now showing the RFB rifle in tan. Previously, I have only seen the RFB in black, but at the 2012 SHOT Show, the company had a tan model on display.

Kel-Tec RFB tan

Unfortunately, the woman representing Kel-Tec at the booth did not have any information on the gun. So, for now, we will have to wait and see if/when they ship.

Kel-Tec RFB tan
Kel-Tec RFB tan
Categories
Rifles

TAPCO Introduces New AK Magazine: This 30 Round Magazine Looks Indestructible

TAPCO has announced a new, 30 round AK magazine that looks darn near indestructible. The polymer magazine, designed for all of the AK-47 variant rifles (7.62×39 cartridge), has a rugged exterior, a heavy-duty mag spring, and an anti-tilt follower. The magazine is available in black, dark earth, and olive green. And, they also count as three Section 922 compliance parts.

Like all of TAPCO products, the magazines are covered by a full, lifetime warranty. Plus, the magazines will come with a 90-day inspection period. They don’t meet your expectations, send them back for a full refund.

TAPCO has filmed some of the torture testings they have done on these new mags. I’ve attached one here, but if you are at all interested in these mags, go over to their site and watch them all. They bang these mags off the ground, run over them with trucks, and while inserted in an AK-47, just plain beat the snot out of these things. And they still feed reliably.

I’ve bought a variety of TAPCO products in the past and can recommend them without reservation. At only $17.99 each, they are a real value buy!

Update: TAPCO updated the AK-47 magazines to address some perceived weakness problems around the lips. The original magazines were supposed to be good, while the updated mags are supposed to be great.

The MSRP may be $17.99, but I have seen the street prices on these to be closer to $10 each. I’ve actually seen some sell in bulk for less than that. With surplus steel mags going for more than $20 in some places, having a few of these TAPCO AK mags on hand seems to be a good idea. You can have a few of the steel ones for serious business, and then use the plastic for training and recreational shooting. At $10 (or less) each, it looks like a no-brainer.

Categories
Reloading

RCBS Rotary Case Media Separator Review

Like a lot of shooters, I reload my own ammunition. Cleaning the brass before running through the sizing and seating processes is always a good idea. I’ve tried washing the cartridge cases with various cleaning products, but have always come back to tumbling with walnut and corn cob media.

Separating the cases from the media has always been a bit of a chore for me. Not terribly difficult, but not very easy either. I have tried different sifters and separators, but never found one I really liked. That all changed when I bought the RCBS Rotary Case Media Separator.

This media separator is simple and it works! Two large halves form a clamshell-like case that catches the media in the bottom half, while the top half closes to trap the dust and significantly reduce noise. Inside the case is the separating device: another, smaller clamshell-like case with sifting holes and rotating handles.

The system is easy. Open the outer case and the inner separator. Pour the media and brass out of the tumbler into the separator. Close the separator and outer case. Turn the handle a few times and you are done. All of the media has dropped into the lower part of the case, leaving you with just shiny brass in the separator.

In my experience, the separator holds about 500 .38 Special cases and media. More than enough for most of the tumblers on the market.

Cleaning the RCBS Media Separator is easy: just wipe it down or hose it off. It is all heavy-duty plastic, so there are no parts to rust.

I was pleased with the ease in which the whole system works. I was also very impressed by the reduced noise from this device as compared to other media separators.

Click here to get your RCBS case separator today from Amazon.

Categories
Ammunition

Ruger LCP Ammo

Need some Ruger LCP ammo? According to some, a major ammunition manufacturer will bring a new .380 loading to the market that is specifically designed for the Ruger LCP. This is exciting, as two current problems exist with the current crop of ammunition and the LCP.

The first problem is the .380 ACP cartridge is an underpowered chambering. Generally, the .380 loads are weaker than what is available for the .38 Special. For self-defense, you need all the bang you can get.

The second problem is I have been getting some reports that the LCP is ammunition sensitive. Some popular cartridges are not feeding properly. This, of course, is a HUGE problem if it extends to the entire line of LCP’s and not just a few examples. One of the reports was posted as feedback here (scroll all the way down).

Time will tell who brings what to the market. However, Bane has a lot of good contacts and I expect this information is very reliable. I expect we will see a variety of Ruger LCP ammo loads in the near future.

There are a number of smaller ammunition manufacturers who are producing .380 ACP ammo and I imagine they are testing the loads in the LCP. They might not market the loads as “Ruger LCP ammo,” but I suspect that they are definitely testing it since it is such a popular handgun. After all, if your ammo doesn’t work in one of the most popular concealed carry pistols, why would anyone buy it?

Update – November 2008: Hornady has introduced a new line of ammunition: Critical Defense. The Hornady Critical Defense ammunition is designed for self-defense from small handguns like the Ruger LCP. I’m not sure this is the ammunition that Bane was hinting at, but it certainly fits. More information about the Critical Defense ammo can be found here.