The Firearm Blog

Planeman has done an analysis on Iran’s air defenses. I recently mentioned his NKorean analysis. The article includes many original drawings and lots of diagrams.

ZU-23-2 Light AAA

It is interesting how much reliance is still placed on manned guns. I was under the impression that most of the world had moved to surface to air missile systems. It is also interesting to note the ease at which the Israelis bypassed the new Syrian radar systems that were purchased from Russia.

Well worth a read.

The Remington MasterBlaster is a big suppressed 8 Gauge kiln gun.

The MasterBlaster system is the most productive and cost-efficient way to remove virtually any type of build-ups in boilers, kilns, silos, quarries or mines. Both the gun and the ammunition provide superior power, accuracy and dependability, shot after shot, at distances up to 300 feet

“Rapid Firing” nice

It fires special remington 8 gauge slugs weighing up to 3 oz. / 1312.5. 8 gauge has a caliber of 0.835″ / 21mm.

Zinc Build-Ups With Hard Exteriors and Soft Interiors

Perfect for self defense

More info here.

30mm rounds from an A-10 land close to British troops in Afghanistan.

That cannon sure makes a cool sound, I can see how the whole “Show of Force” thing would work. The sound would be enough to make me run. I would not like to be on its receiving end!

The A-10 fires the 30x173mm round:

Compared to 7.62x51mm
(photo by ekranoplan)

Hat Tip: MP.net

Great for the range on a cold day, but definitely not something to wander around in public with! Sold here.

Hat Tip: The Breda Fallacy

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.