Category: Rifles

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Rifles

Caracal CC10 Carbine

Caracal CC10 picture

Caracal CC10 picture

Introduced in the summer of 2012, the 2013 SHOT Show was our first opportunity to get our hands on the new Caracal CC10 9mm carbine.  The “CC” stands for “Caracal Carbine”.  The CC10 has a steel receiver and barrel, with a polymer frame, however no details were given on the type of steel.

The CC10 will come in (2) variants – the SB (short barrel version) and the LB (long barrel version).  The SB versions are marketed towards law enforcement, while the LB versions are promoted to the civilian market.  Unfortunately, I was not able to put some rounds downrange with this carbine to truly give it a full review.  [Ed. note:  When we were at the morning session of Media Day during the 2013 SHOT Show, Caracal did not have the CC10 at the range.   They promised to have it there later in the day, but it was never seen by any of our writers.]

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Rifles

Stag 8T Tactical Piston Carbine

Stag 8T

Stag 8T

Nothing earth-shattering from Stag at this year’s SHOT Show, but they did have the new Stag Model 8T – Tactical Piston Carbine.  Alright, before you get too excited, this is a Model 8 with the addition of the modular free-floating VRS-T hand guard.  Yep, that’s it!

Before I get too negative with Stag I have to admit that this is a pretty nice hand guard.  The VRS-T takes on a triangular shape with the base wider than the top.  This handguard is made by Diamondhead.  It mimics the original AR-15/M-16 hand guard in a way, but the VRS-T goes way beyond that.  The VRS-T is a modular hand guard that allows you to deck out your AR-15 to your wildest dreams.  Just add some rail sections to the pre-drilled holes and you’re ready to go tacti-cool!  Stag even offers VRS-T rail sections (3” for $15, and 6” for $22).

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Rifles

New Ruger Guide Gun

Ruger Guide Gun

Mere days ahead of the 2013 SHOT Show, we get out first glimpse at the Ruger Guide Gun.  The new series of rifles are rugged, compact rifles weighing between 8 to 8.12 pounds. The guns are chambered in serious calibers:  .30-06, .300 Win Mag, .338 Win Mag, .375 Ruger, .300 RCM and .338 RCM.  When the .30-06 is pretty much the starting point, you know you’ve got a major boom stick.

Ruger Guide Gun

The gun has classic lines, but is an eye-catcher due to its combination of stainless steel finish and a Green Mountain laminate stock.  The stock is supposed to be resistant to changes through various environmental changes.  Sitting in a rack of guns at the local shop, every shooter will notice this gun.  Love it or hate it, it will get noticed.

One of the most visually striking things about the new guide gun is the use of a radical-port muzzle brake.  It is the single thing on the rifle that looks a little out of place.  It looks a little “modern” for a gun with pretty classic styling.  However, a good muzzle brake can really ratchet down felt recoil.  Ask any .50 BMG shooter.  But, muzzle brakes make shooting the gun much louder.  Ask the guy next to the .50 BMG shooter.

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Winchester Model 1873 Short Rifle

Winchester 1873

Winchester 1873

As mentioned in a previous report of SHOT Show rumors, Winchester Repeating Arms is re-introducing the classic Model 1873 short rifle in 2013.  Considered by some as “the gun that won the west,” the new version of the classic lever action rifle will be chambered for the .357 Magnum and will also short the mild .38 Special cartridge.

The model 1873 has an oil-finished walnut stock with a straight grip.  The stock has a true-to-the-original crescent butt plate.  The metal is all blued steel. The Winchester 1873 has a 20″ round barrel and a full length tubular magazine.  The magazine will hold 11 .38 Special or 10 .357 Magnum cartridges.

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MPAR 556: New Piston Rifle from MasterPiece Arms

MPAR 556
MPAR 556
These photos are of the prototype, not production, MPAR 556 rifles.

Update: I just watched this video (click here) of the MPAR-556 Gen II being run in a competition shoot by the guys at Full30. I was not impressed by its performance.

MasterPiece Arms is releasing more information on the new MPAR 556, the company’s new piston driven AR rifle.

The new rifle sounds like it will offer a variety of features while maintaining a sub-$1000 price tag.  Considering this AR-style gun uses a short stroke piston, that price is extremely competitive.

As the name suggests, the MPAR 556  is chambered for the 5.56 NATO cartridge.  Standard AR magazines will work with this rifle.

MPAR 556 handguard

The handguard is a two-piece, floating system made from machined aluminum.  The handguard allows the user to place Picatinny accessory rails in the most advantageous places.  This allows for weight reduction, since the user can simply remove (or not install) rails in areas they are not needed.

The buttstock is made from machined aluminum and adjusts for length of pull.  Additionally, the buttstock folds to the left for compact carry and storage.

MPAR 556 muzzle brake

MasterPiece Arms has not stated the barrel length, but I would expect a 16″ barrel.  The end will most likely be threaded, and will ship with a muzzle brake attached.  Since MasterPiece Arms now makes sound suppressors, it would make sense that all of the company’s new guns would ship with threaded barrels.

MPAR 556 parts will be either anodized or black phosphate coated (depending on the part material.)

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