I read about Short Rifle Stock Systems (SRSS) new M14/M1A bullpup stock, the BullDog 762, at Defense Review. I suppose the designers said to themselves “just about about everything has a bullpup conversion, why not the M14?”
The stock comes in a synthetic model (SRSS-1421SM, $749) and an aluminum model (SRSS-1421BA, $999) and is available in Black, Olive Drab, Tan and Aluminum finish.
From the FAQ:
What does the SRSS kit consist of?
The SRSS stock system comes with main beam (stock) panels = Cheek rest and right panel, optics rail and all hardware, allen wrenches to mount scope rail which replaces the M14 /M1A hand guard. Simple tools like a screwdriver is all you need to install your M1A or the M-14 into the SRSS. OPTICS are not included. See our site for Optics available.
Do I need to machine any part of my rifle?
No. You will need to remove the hand guard and install the optics rail and you will need to remove the rear sight assembly, just hang on to it you may want to put it all back together or leave the SRSS together and build another M1A.
Can you describe the trigger action ? I understand that one of the weakness of bullpup stocks is their softness or lack of tactile feedback of the trigger when pulled.
Our trigger was designed to eliminate all the problems that bullpup’s have. The trigger/transfer rod is submerged in the stock and to some degree floats and is carried by the rear/original trigger. The safety is just above the pistol grip for your right hand and can be turned off and on by the right thumb. Our trigger rod adds 1/2 pound to whatever your trigger pressure is on your rifle. It feels like your original two stage trigger.
Later this year or next year SRSS will be offering this stock system for other rifles. My guess is that a Mini-14 model will be offered.
Fitted with the SRSS Mini Paladin Muzzle Brake ($200)
UPDATE: Daniel E. Watters, who is very knowledgeable, points out in the comments that there have been other bullpup stocks for the M14.
More photos after the jump. Continue Reading »
The Africa Aerospace and Defense 2008 held in Cape Town, South Africa has just finished. Denel Land Systems, a South African firm, launched the new SS77 Compact.
The only photo I could find.
UPDATE: prion @ MP.net posted this photo:
The compact version of the 7.62mm NATO machine gun features a telescopic stock, foregrip with bipod, picatinny rail and gas regulator. The gun is 150mm (6″) shorter and 2 kg (4.4 lbs) lighter than the full sized SS77.
The full size SS77 can be converted to the 5.56mm Mini SS and presumably the compact version can be as well.
Developed in the 1970s during the arms embargo which forced the South Africa to develop its own arms industry. The machine gun is used by South Africa, Philippines, Malaysia and Jordan. It was pulled from Service by the South African Defense Force during the 90s due to reliability problems. The problems were fixed in part by reducing the rate of fire from 900 rpm to 800 rpm and the gun reentered service in 2003.
Mini SS 5.56mm. Click to expand.
Hot blueing is the process used to “blue” firearms. This involves submerging the steel parts into either a boiling solution of potassium nitrate, sodium hydroxide or a mixture of nitrates and chromates. Alternatively cold blueing can be used but the finish is not nearly as robust and it is hard, or impossible, to get a good finish. It is only really meant to be used to touch up scratches.
There is a interesting discussion over at rec.guns about cold bluing an entire barrel and receiver.
Well, I just completed my first bluing project using Birchwood-Casey’s gell
and boy am I disappointed. I had a nice, shiny preped firearm and ended up
with a streaky one -barrel *and* receiver. Man, I can’t figure out what I
did wrong but it ain’t pretty. I slathered on a coat of gun oil to protect
it afterward and it looks like what you get when you lay on an uneven
coating of oil but it’s in the bluing. Any ideas on what went wrong will be
greatly appreciated. I’m glad that this isn’t a good shotgun so I guess
anything is better than the rusted hulk that I was given.
Personally if I wanted to re-blue a firearm I would get a gunsmith to hot blue it.
Read the thread here.
David via. SayUncle reported on a company called Constitution Arms who plan on producing palm pistols.
The Palm Pistol is an ergonomically innovative single shot double action only defensive firearm chambered in 9mm that may be fired using either hand without regard to orientation of the stock. Suited for home defense, concealed carry or as a backup gun. It is also ideal for seniors, disabled or others who may have limited strength or manual dexterity. Using the thumb instead of the index finger for firing, it significantly reduces muzzle drift, one of the principle causes of inaccurate targeting. Point and shoot couldn’t be easier.
I do wonder how useful a single shot 9mm is but they are pretty up front about the disadvantages of their product in the product specification PDF. It will be interesting to see if this goes into production.
This type of palm held squeeze to fire pistols have been around for quite some time. James has a write up about them here.
The “Protector”.
James, of Hell in a Handbasket, has written a post about his “new” S&W Model 10 he recently purchased.
What a great photo 
Full sized version here.
This revolver is at least 50 years old. As James pointed out, it will still be useful in another 50 years time. My great-grandfathers rifles are still floating around my family. This is one of the things I love about firearms. When you buy one you know it will outlive yourself if you look after it. Compared to ipods ( I have bought two ipods in the last 3-4 years and am about to purchase a third), cell phones, cars etc. firearms are really cheap when you consider how long they last.
More here.
CowTown Cop’s has posted a range report on his recent “Patrol Carbine” training. Well worth a read.
Our range was never intended to be used as a rifle range. It is 50 yards deep and the backstop is rated for pistol rounds. So we have to use this funny little blue bullet ammo that I despise. Its called SRTA which stands for short range training ammunition. Its a 3.6 grain plastic projectile that is traveling at 4350 fps at the muzzle. It requires you to use a straight blow back M2 training bolt in your AR. I
More here.
.357 Magnum Hair Dryer … more like a 20mm Vulcan hair dryer with a bore that size 
More here.
H/T: DesignerMode
I have. I am wondering what you all think.
MD Arms have just started shipping their new 20 round drum magazines for the Siaga 12 shotgun. They cost $215 (+ $3 handling fee).
It look like they have only made enough to satisfy pre-orders and are now taking pre-orders for the second batch.
Tromix Custom with Md-20 mag
… now obsolete This photo has been floating around
the internet for a while.
Continue Reading »
Reuters reports:
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian spending on arms will rise to a record $46.5 billion next year, a senior government official said on Friday, as the Kremlin moves to beef up the armed forces after a conflict in Georgia.
Russian national defence orders will rise to 1.2 trillion roubles ($46.55 billion) in 2009, 70 billion roubles higher than previously planned, Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov was shown saying on Russian television.
“We have managed to convince the Finance Ministry that the volume of state defence orders in 2009 will be 70 billion higher than previously planned,” Ivanov told Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
