The Firearm Blog

Test post 2

The IDF field the FN Mag and IWI Negev machine guns. Doubletapper has written a detailed post about each and the of the various configurations they are available in.

CNET reports that Toronto police have launched a digital cameras for firearms program.

A handgun or assault rifle is worth a $400 Nikon Coolpix S52 and a shotgun nets a $250 Nikon Coolpix P60. The deal includes free photography lessons.

… we all know how effective these programs are.

A couple of weeks ago SayUncle asked for advice on getting started reloading. The comments are worth reading if you are thinking about reloading, as I am.

Sean @ Everything Hunting has written detail instructions on how to butcher deer yourself.

The price of butchering a deer ranges from $75-150. I don’t know about you, but that is a little much when you can butcher your own for free in about 4 hours. If you are content with paying someone so that you don’t have to worry about it then you have more money than me.

More here.

Say what you want about airsofters, but they sure know how to sell their products.

Roy @ The Download Monkey has many more.

Jason emailed me some great photos of his new Savage Slug Warrior (Model 210F). The rifle/shotgun chambers 3″ 12 gauge shells, weights in at 7.6 lbs, has a 24″ barrel and a 2 round magazine capacity. MSRP is $587.

Click to expand the photos.

A very nice looking shotgun/rifle. Thanks Jason!

UPDATE from Jason:

SO FAR I’VE PRINTED GROUPS AS CLOSE AS 3/8 INCH WITH THE HORNADY SST AT 50 YRDS.

BUT WITH ONE THING..SAVAGE NEEDS TO CORRECT THE FEEDING OF THE ROUNDS. THEY JAM WHEN CYCLEING. OTHER THAN THAT SMALL ISSUE, I HAVE NOTHING BUT THE BEST REGUARDS FOR THE MAKERS OF SAVAGE 210F.

Earlier this year Marlin introduced the value-for-money XL7 rifle cambered in 25-06, 270 and 30-06. I thought it was odd that they did not offer a short action version. John Snow reports that a short action version will be available shortly in .248, .308 and 7mm-08.

Marlin XL7 (the long action version)

John has the specs and a brief range report.

I have previously discussed the Ultimax 100 Mk4. This is the latest iteration of the Ultimax 100 design and is being entered into the IAR competition by General Dynamics, although it designed by Singapore Technologies Kinetics (STK).

Photos by SMGLee. Click to expand:

Quick Change Barrel

I like the design of the ambidextrous fire selector.

Compared to the Mk4 the Mk5 takes unmodified STANAG (M16) magazine, has quad rails and a bipod/foregrip rather than a separate bipod and foregrip.

I am not sure if the Ultimax 100 Mk4 100 round drum magazine will be made compatible with the Mk5. The Mk4 took modified STANAG magazines.

Ultimax 100 Mk 4


Ultimax 100 Mk 5

UPDATE: Defense Review has more info.

The Colt IAR is Colt’s entry in the Marine IAR competition for a lightweight automatic rifle to replace the SAW in certain situations. It is an interesting weapon.

Photos by SMGLee. Click to expand

Under the barrel you can see a hefty heatsink. This is used to prevent cook-offs (when the primer of a chambered round is ignited by a hot chamber). It weights 9.5 lbs and has a 16″ barrel.

It looks like the barrel may be be changed by simply removing the bolt you can see just in front of the magazine well.

Surprisingly the rifle/machine gun does not use a gas piston and uses the AR-15/M16 direct gas impingement system.

The above photo does show a Magpul PMAG but the Marines have specified that the IAR must be compatible with 30 USGI magazines, so it is unlikely the military will be adopting PMAGs, even in a limited role with the IAR.

Other IAR entries can operate with either an open bolt, in automatic fire, or closed bolt in semi automatic mode. This allows the accuracy benefits of a closed bolt with the heat reduction and reduced chance of a cook off of a closed bolt. I am not sure if this weapon has this feature.

Colt already have a lightweight automatic rifle, the Colt Automatic Rifle (CAR), which itself may meet the Marines requirements. I do not know if the Colt IAR has anything in common with the CAR, other than the shared AR-15 heritage.

Colt Automatic Rifle

UPDATE: Defense Review has more info.