The Firearm Blog

Rossi have launched a new youth matched pair rifle with a matte nickel finish.

It comes in a .17HMR/.410 and .22LR/.410 versions.

New for 2008 Rossi is excited to offer a popular Matched Pair Set in a matte nickel finish. The set includes a .17 HMR or .22 LR rifle barrel with adjustable fiber optic front sights and .410 gauge shotgun barrel with brass bead front sights.

Ideal for first-time hunters, this Matched Pair is the perfect gun for varmint hunting or a fun day at the range. The package ships with a custom carrying case and dual-purpose strap. In addition the rifle barrel is drilled and tapped to hold the included scope mount base and hammer extension.

The Rossi Matched Pair line has set the standard for 2-barrel guns. The combination long gun package in unequalled, having been recognized as the best “youth-size” gun. Rossi starts with one of its popular single shot rifles, then hand fits a shotgun barrel to create the Matched Pair. The result is a highly reliable rifle with adjustable fiber optic sights and a button rifled barrel for enhanced accuracy, which quickly swaps barrels to become the favorite shotgun.

Ever since I first used a Rossi rifle I have been meaning to get one. In my opinion they look great and I love the simplicity.

I had not seen this video before.

Hat Tip: OPFOR via Murdoc

I thought the pistol was out in January, but they issued this press release yesterday. Either way, it is now available.

UPDATE: Tim, in the comments below, let us know that the pistol is due to be released in may-june 08.

From the press release:

Beretta USA is pleased to announce the introduction of the most advanced Sub-Compact sidearm of its kind – the Px4 Storm Sub-Compact pistol. Built around Beretta’s latest Px4 Storm modular technology, the Px4 Storm Sub-Compact delivers concealed carry handling with large frame firepower.

Available in two calibers, 9mm with 13 round magazine capacity and .40 S&W with 10 round magazine capacity, the Px4 Storm Sub-Compact will be available in all the traditional configurations (F, G, C, D actions) that have made its Px4 Storm full size counterpart a preferred choice of Law Enforcement agencies and civilians across the United States. This new pistol uses a very reliable locked breech, providing a more compact and lighter weight system. Additionally, the Px4 Storm Sub-Compact utilizes a stainless steel barrel which requires less maintenance and is corrosion resistant, making it perfectly suited for concealment close to active perspiring bodies.

“With the launch of our new Sub-Compact model, the Storm family of polymer pistols and carbines is now the ideal suite of firearm platforms available on the market” said Gabriele DePlano, Vice President of Product Development at Beretta USA. “Whether it is used for concealed or open carry, on or off duty, as a patrol rifle or for home protection, the Px4 Storm Sub-Compact family is poised to offer our operators the ultimate in Beretta’s reliability, durability and accuracy in its smallest package yet.”

Hailed by some as the most accurate Sub-Compact pistol on the market, the Px4 Storm Sub-Compact offers absolute reliability and consistent accuracy in a small package. Featuring a Picatinny rail to fit light and laser accessories, the Px4 Storm Sub-Compact also adapts to different hand sizes easily with interchangeable backstraps that are included with each firearm. The magazineÂ’s patented “Snap-Grip” allows for maximum concealability when the firearm is holstered, while providing a comfortable and secure grip when the pistol is being fired. An ambidextrous manual safety, ideally positioned on both sides of the slide for easy access by all shooters, and a low-profile slide catch complete this small yet powerful package. Additionally, a reversible magazine release button, in small or large size, can be mounted on either side for the convenience of the operator. The Px4 Storm Sub-Compact was designed by Beretta USA and will be manufactured in the United States at Beretta USAÂ’s Accokeek, MD facility.

PX4 Storm Sub-Compact

More info here.

An interesting looking movie about the Chinese civil war … no doubt from the perspective of the Communists and packed with propaganda.

Hornady’s new products for 2008:

• 300 RCM & 338 RCM
• Dangerous Game Series
• 357 MAG / 44 MAG LEVERevolution
• 32 WIN Special LEVERevolution
• 22 WMR Rimfire
• 6.5 Creedmoor
• FPBâ„¢ Muzzleloading Bullets
• SST-ML High Speed Low Dragâ„¢ Sabots
• 450 Nitro Express 3 1/4″
• One-Shotâ„¢ Muzzleloader Products

Ruger Compact Magnums

More info here.

I recently wrote about the new Boberg XR9 pistol which features the magazine beneath the chamber. Dr. StrangeGun discovered that the Gabbett-Fairfax Mars pistol was the first pistol to feature this configuration.

High tech and ugly (Photo from Horst Held)

From wikipedia:

The Mars Automatic Pistol was a semi-automatic pistol developed in 1900 by the Englishman Hugh Gabbet-Fairfax. It was manufactured by Webley & Scott and distributed by the Mars Automatic Pistol Syndicate. The Mars Automatic Pistol is famous for being available in a variety of 8.5 mm, 9 mm and .45 calibres. These were all bottle shaped cartridges with a heavy powder loading, making the .45 version the most powerful handgun in the world for a time. It used a unique long recoil rotating bolt action which ejected spent cartridges straight to the rear.

The Mars Automatic Pistol was rejected by the British War Office as a possible replacement for the Webley & Scott Revolver, then in service with the British Army, because of the unacceptable large recoil, muzzle-flash, and mechanical complexity. It has since become a collectors item because of its rarity and as an example of the earliest developments in semi-automatic pistols.

I dug up the pistols’ patent. The patent drawings show how the rear ward feeding works.

Although the pistol was not practical back in 1900 it was an ingenious design.

UPI reports that after a German news report H&K have cut ties with Blackwater. The report said Blackwater and H&K have a “strategic partnership” and that Blackwater employees have used H&K firearms. Blackwater offered some H&K training courses, still seen on their website, and it is hardly surprising that some blackwater employees were using H&K firearms.

Deutsche Welle said Tuesday that the revelations stirred criticism among some German politicians who said they were aghast at Blackwater’s controversial role in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“It is scandalous and unacceptable that a German arms company cooperates with such a lawless mercenary troop,” declared Green Party lawmaker Hans Christian Strobele.

Hat Tip: Danger Zone.

The POF-USA P-308 is a interesting rifle. It is a gas piston operated rifle, based on the AR-10/AR-15 design and requires no lubrication.

14.5″ version

They achieve this by plating the upper receiver with silicon nickel and chroming and heat treating the bolt and carrier.

Upper receiver

Here is a video of it in action

In spite of its name, it is chambered in 7.62X51mm, not .308 (yes, there is a difference).

More info at POF-USA and Defense Review.

Graf & Sons and Hornady are now offering high quality ammo for military surplus rifles.

Calibers they offer:

• 6.5×52 Carcano
• 6.5×50 Japanese
• 7×64 Brenneke
• 7×57R Mauser
• .303 British
• 7.5×55 Swiss
• 7.65×53 Argentine
• 7.7×58 Japanese
• 7.92×33 Kurz
• 8×56 Hungarian.

More info here.

FN has created a photo gallery of the SHOT media day shoot with over 500 photos.

I spotted at least one blogger: Murdoc of GunPundit and Murdoc Online.

Hat Tip: Danger Zone

Joe Huffman has done a lot of research into microstamping. It is very interesting and has many photos.

More here.

Hat Tip: Say Uncle

Beretta have launched an interesting new shotgun, a break barrel semi automatic. Build for competition it only holds, unless I am mistaken, two rounds in a 1+1 configuration: one in the chamber, one in the side cartridge carrier.

Both rounds can both be seen when the barrel is broken.

This gives it many advantages over traditional double barrel shotguns:

• decreased recoil of the semi auto action
• a low set barrel which helps decrease muzzle jump
• the same point of impact for both rounds as each is fired out of the same barrel.

It also maintains the safety aspect of a double barreled shotgun. When it is broken it cannot be fired and both the magazine (side cartridge carrier) and chamber can be inspected.

Specs:

Gauge: 12
Cartridge Chamber: 2 ¾ in. (70 mm)
Operation: semiautomatic, with break-open barrel, short recoil
Locking System: elevated locking block
Receiver: light alloy
Barrel: three-alloy steel, fully chromed inside, Optima-Bore® profile
Rib: ventilated, removable
Safety: button-operated, on trigger guard; reversible for left-handed shooter
Weight*: 8.1-9.0 lbs (3.5-4.1 Kg)

It is currently available as a 30″ trap model. A sporting model in various lengths will be available in the future.

More info at here.

There is ‘big bore’ and then there is the 2 bore. Schroeder & Hetzendorfer make a cartridge called the S&H 2 Bore Blackpowder Express.

These photos are amazing

.700 nitro express next to 2 bore and 3500 grain bronze solid

.500 S&W, .45-70, .700 Nitro Express, 2 bore

The caliber equivalent of 2 bore (’bore’ is generally interchangeable with ‘gauge’ in regard to caliber) is 1.326″ or 33.68mm! The bronze solid bullet weights 3500 grain / 1/2 pound / 226.80 grams!

While technically fired from a rifle these are more like massive shotgun slugs: a heavy projectile at a low velocity. The 2500 grain bronze solid leaves the barrel at 1500 ft/s and with 17487 ft·lb of energy.

Apart from the nerve destroying recoil, heavy rifle, heavy ammo and expense these big bullets slow down dramatically after entering the game and hitting bone. A problem when hunting elephant.

They even come bigger than this. The 1 bore has a caliber of 1.67″. The A Guage/Bore, about 2″, was used for punt guns.

More info at Schroeder & Hetzendorfer.

ACE has an interesting article on the 4 bore.

UPDATE

Jay Schroeder emailed me the pricing for for the brass and bullets:

Cartridge Cases are $495.00 per 10 pack shipped.

Copper FN Solids are $295.00 per 10 pack shipped.

All components are USA made by Americans from American material.

Although it may seem expensive, you are probably not going to purchase more than one set of brass.

Sean @ Everything Hunting has reviewed the Benelli Nova 12 Gauge Shotgun

The Benelli Nova 12 gauge shoots up to 3 1/2″ shells and cycles smoothly and with little effort. The pump handle is not loud and sloppy like most other shotguns priced just below this one.

The gun is very comfortable to handle and priced in a range that even poor folk like me can afford it with a little saving. Academy Sports has the black matte 20 gauge for $329.99… I believe that I paid about $350 for my 12 gauge, in Realtree APG, at Bass Pro Shop last year.

Read the review here.