Federal have produced two new loads, under the American Eagle brand, for the M1A (M14) and M1 Garand rifles. The cartridges have staked primers and the powders used were chosen with the rifle’s specific gas system design in mind.
The M1 (.30-06) load pushes a 150 grain FMJ bullet at 2740 fps fps and the M1A (7.62x51mm NATO) load a 168 grain Open Tip Match (OTM) bullet at 2650 fps.
Also from Federal is a Power-Shok hunting load optimized for AR-10 style rifles chambered in .338 Federal. The loads pushes a 200 grain soft point at 2700 fps.
Remington are now offering a 20 gauge shotgun for young ladies. It comes with a length of pull kit with spacers to increase the length of pull of the as the shooter grows up.
The shotgun has a 21″ barrel (with VR-BS Rem-Choke system), weights in at 6 lbs and features a Mossy Oak Pink Camo stock. The MSRP is $439.
Hat Tip: Ammoland
A car license plate which reads “AK-47″ was auctioned off in India for $1694.
UPI reports:
JAMMU, India, April 27 (UPI) — A man in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir paid nearly $1,700 at an open auction for the right to use a license plate reading AK-47, an official says.
Ramesh Chander Sharma, the regional transport officer at Jammu, said Mohmmad Rafiq Mir offered a top bid of $1,694 at an auction during the weekend, the Press Trust of India reported Sunday.
The Ruger website now features a flash animation saying they have developed a project that will redefine a weapons platform. Michael Bane confirms this on his blog:
Got to race down to Boulder to pick up a big ole Ruger box this AM and get to the range…once again, a spectacular new product announcement scheduled for the NRA Show…and, of course, you’ll see it as it happens on DRTV Friday.
He says a “big” box … so maybe it is a long rifle … AR-15? Shotgun? 1911?
I well placed source of mine who has seen the product tells me it is a very cool product! Unfortunately that is all I know, and even if I knew more I would probably not be able to say 
Us plebs will have to wait till the NRA convention to find out.
UPDATE: As many of you noted in the comments. Ruger unveiled a AR-15. Read my coverage here.
Bob from TALO emailed me to say they are distributing a new limited edition Ruger Vaquero to commemorate Emiliano Zapata. The single action revolver is embellished with a Mexican designs in 24 carat gold. In true TALO tradition it is a really beautiful looking pistol. If I had the money I would buy every single one of their special editions guns 
Emiliano Zapata Salazar is a revered Mexican hero. He formed and led the Liberation Army of the South during the 1910 Mexican revolution until 1919, when he was killed in an ambush.
TALO has a history of commemorating both US and Mexican statesmen and heros. The previous TALO Special edition Ruger Vaquero was a commemorative John Wayne revolver.
Crossman have licensed a gas piston technology and will be incorporating it into a range of air rifles. The word “gas piston” probably has you thinking of gas operated autoloader rifles. In the context of air guns, “gas piston” refers to the piston system of break barrel air guns. Instead of compressing a spring when cocked, they compress gas. When the trigger is pulled the piston is released, the piston is pushed forward by the expanding gas. The piston in turn compresses air which pushes the pellet out of the rifle.
From the press release:
The heart of gas piston technology is its use of nitrogen as the power, instead of a coiled steel spring.
Unlike steel and CO2, nitrogen isn’t adversely affected by temperature. In addition, the technology allows for much easier cocking. The nitro piston starts engaging the moment the shooter starts cocking the gun. Gas pistons can also be left cocked for long periods of time without degrading and losing velocity, the way steel springs do. Also, when a steel spring uncoils, the vibration is not only annoying, it compromises precision. “Nitro Piston technology solves both by creating a smoother cocking force and releasing the gun’s power more quickly,” said D’Arcy.
The new rifles will not be available until June, but Pyramyd Air have them available for pre-order. They claim the piston system produces a lot less noise (most of the noise from a break barrel airgun is the piston), less recoil, easier cocking and long lasting.
They are available for pre order for $324.99. They comes in .22 and .177 versions (1000 fp/s and 1200 fp/s respectively) and either either a black synthetic or digital camo thumbhole stock. They all feature a bull barrel and two stage trigger.
Air gun expert and blogger Tom Gaylord was involved in the development of the system. If he was involved it must be good! I don’t think he would risk his reputation on an inferior product.
James found this photos of a pair of homemade pistols that appear to be chambered in .303 British! Apparently they, along with the cartridges, were confiscated from some students. Can you imagine the blast of burning power that must shoot out of these!
I found the following photos of a Martini-Henry .303 1870 rifle which has been converted into a pistol. It was captured by Marines in Afghanistan.
The pistol has an original Martini-Henry barrel which was cut down to 2.5″ and sights carved out of it. Other than the addition of the pistol grip and sling swivels, the pistol is made entirely from original parts.
These pistols, converted from rifles in the Khyber Pass, are said to be common in that part of the world. It is designed to for one purpose: to kill an enemy in order to take his weapons … that is of course if the death-trap of a gun does not kill the operator first!
More information about this pistol is at gunboards.com.
SayUncle reported that Bison Armory are selling new 6.8 SPC AR-15 upper recievers. From BisonArmory.com:
We just got our 18″ and 20″ 6.8 SPC barrels today! I’ve put together the first upper for testing. It’s a 20″ with unthreaded muzzle. Pictured below is the upper with a Young Mfg. Match bolt carrier, YHM lightweight four-rail rifle length hand guard, and YHM A3 flat top upper receiver. The upper also features an intermediate-length gas system, YHM low profile gas block, and YHM forearm end cap.
These photos of the uppers were posted on 68forums.com:
The first upper is the most basic, 20″ with threaded muzzle, Phantom .308 FH, Bushnell 3-15×50 scope and rifle length gas system. The second one is the 20″ unthreaded with intermediate-length gas system.
The first upper in this photo is an 18″ with a Saylors Machine Phoenix FH and mid length gas system. The bottom one is an 18″ with a TNW gas piston system and DPMS Levang linear compensator. I’m really looking forward to trying out the GP system.
The Azerbaijan Ministry of Defence Industry has recently developed a new anti-material sniper rifle called the “Istiglal” IST-14.5. These photos are from the Ministry’s website:
The rifle was on display at the IDEF ’09 arms show in Turkey a couple of weeks ago. I could find very little information about this rifle. The Azerbaijanis may be known for oil, but websites (and photography) they are not 
It is said to weigh 20 kg (44 lbs, but can be broken into two part for transport), has a range of 3000m (1.8 miles) and is usable in mud, snow, dust and temperatures ranging from -50 degrees Celsius (-58 F) to +50 degrees C (122 F).
Other than that all I know is what is pictured above. It has a side mounted scope, iron sights, bipod and a two baffle muzzle break.
Photo from trmilitary.com
The potent 14.5x114mm round it chambers was developed by the Soviets at the beginning of WWII as an anti-tank cartridge and later as a heavy machine gun and anti-aircraft round. Compared to the .50 BMG it is up to 60% more powerful!
From what I can make out from Azerbaijani websites they are interested in creating a viable defense export business. Other items on display at IDEF were machine gun suppressors and Armored Personal Carriers jointly produced with South Africa.
SayUncle shares a tip on keeping your Glock running smoothly.
